Thoreau's vision for preserving nature in urban spaces sparked the movement to create Central Park, supported by advocates like Bryant and the city's mayor. The chosen site, while rocky and uneven, was ideal for a park but came at a cost—the forced removal of over 1,600 residents from Seneca Village, a community primarily made up of freed African Americans. The financial implications were striking, as the land for Central Park cost more than the purchase of Alaska, highlighting the complexities of urban development.
