Welcome to the Dene Slope

Welcome to the Dene Slope. . , The design that Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux conceived for Central park transformed the rocky, marshy pre-park site into a masterful composition of diverse landscapes to create an idealized expression of rural scenery. These included picturesque woods, serene lakes and ponds, and the landscape type most closely associated with the Park and its creators – pastoral meadows. Meadows figured prominently in Olmsted’s and Vaux’s vision for the Park, as reflected in the title of their winning competition entry for its design, which they called simply, “Greensward.”, The park’s designers were focused on the uplifting effect that the scenic quality of meadows would have on the human spirit. But meadows have additional value beyond the psychological effects Olmsted and Vaux emphasized. Landscapes planted with native grasses and wildflowers produce ecological and environmental benefits. In addition to supporting a broader diversity of wildlife, they can be a practical, sustainable treatment for certain landscape types, once native grasses are established at sufficient height to prevent self-seeding invasive species and obviate the need for mowing.