Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) Practice Exam

Who is credited with the design of Central Park in New York City?

1. Frederick Law Olmstead

2. Andreas Duany

3. Daniel Burnham

4. Robert Moses

The correct answer is: Frederick Law Olmstead

Frederick Law Olmsted is credited with the design of Central Park in New York City due to his innovative approach to landscape architecture, which emphasized the importance of blending natural beauty with designed environments to create public spaces. Along with his collaborator Calvert Vaux, Olmsted envisioned Central Park as a pastoral retreat from the urban environment, incorporating elements such as meandering paths, open lawns, and scenic vistas that encourage relaxation and recreation. Olmsted's vision for Central Park was groundbreaking for its time, as it was one of the first landscaped public parks in the United States, setting the standard for future park designs across the country. His philosophy focused on creating landscapes that not only had aesthetic appeal but also served social purposes, such as improving public health and enhancing the community's quality of life. Others mentioned in the choices played significant roles in urban planning and development but are not associated with the design of Central Park. For instance, Daniel Burnham was known for the City Beautiful movement and the planning of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Robert Moses was influential in large-scale urban projects in New York, but his work occurred primarily in the mid-20th century and did not extend to Central Park's original design. Andreas