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"Shakespeare Garden" by eilypily
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Tucked away between several larger attractions is a beautiful 4-acre oasis.
A rather less-frequented attraction of the park, the Shakespeare Garden is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon in Central Park. Stroll along its winding paths amidst the lovely seasonal flora, which is exceptionally vibrant and lush in the springtime. Due to its serene and romantic atmosphere, the Garden is also popular for weddings.
The Garden covers four acres of plants that change according to the season. Among these are rosemary and pansies - alluded to by Ophelia in Hamlet; thistle - mentioned in the play Much Ado About Nothing; and even a white mulberry tree that is said to have grown from a graft of a tree planted by Shakespeare himself in 1602. Bronze plaques with corresponding quotations from Shakespeare's plays have been placed sporadically along the pathways to help identify the various species of plants.
Many "Shakespeare Gardens" were created out of reverence for the bard, and they can be found throughout locations in both the US and Britain. Central Park's Shakespeare Garden was formerly known as the "Garden of the Heart" and was renamed in 1916 to mark the 300th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Following in the tradition of the other already established gardens, it was filled with the beautiful plants and flowers mentioned in the works of the playwright, as well as those featured in Shakespeare's own private garden in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Shakespeare Garden is located near the Delacorte Theatre, the site of the annual "Shakespeare in the Park" series held in the summer. Turtle Pond, Belvedere Castle, and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre are all nearby.