The park was covered in garbage and graffiti, the meadows were barren dust-bowls, the playground equipment and benches were in decay, and the one-hundred-year-old infrastructure was crumbling.
In fact, many thought it was lawless ruin - and avoided it at all costs.
In efforts to make the park a safe place again, a Central Park Conservancy was formed. In 1980, the Conservancy began to enact a 'master plan' that would lead to the gradual reestablishment of the park.
The Central Park Conservancy has since raised over $700 million toward the restoration of the park, and it will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year.