Central Park,
New York, NY The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC Biltmore Estate,
Asheville, NC Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park,
Yosemite, CA Niagara Falls State Park,
Niagara Falls, NY Stanford University Campus,
Palo Alto, CA U.S. Capitol Grounds,
Washington, DC Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site,
Brookline, MA

Celebrating Olmsted

Parks for All People

Central Park,
New York, NY

2022 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, social reformer and founder of American landscape architecture. Please join the National Association for Olmsted Parks, partners, friends and the public as we explore Olmsted’s living legacy.

Join the Celebration

Frederick Law Olmsted illustration by David Lee Csicsko

Frederick Law Olmsted

Landscape Architect, Author, Conservationist (1822-1903)

Frederick Law Olmsted was born in Hartford, CT, in 1822. Not until he was 43 years old did he decide to devote himself fully to landscape architecture. His experiences as a farmer, journalist for The New York Times, administrator and public servant all influenced his later thinking and career.

Learn more about Frederick Law Olmsted

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Celebration

Feature Event

Inspired by Olmsted: International Carillon Festival

March 16 – 20, 2022
Bok Tower Gardens
Lake Wales, FL

To honor the Olmsted Bicentennial, the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP), is sponsoring a carillon composition competition, Inspired by Olmsted. Carillonneurs around the world are encouraged to compose and then play compositions, inspired by Olmsted, throughout the 2022 anniversary year — especially at institutions with prominent Olmsted designs. Announced in 2021, the competition invites compositions for […]

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Upcoming Events

September 14 – 15, 2021

Olmsted Forum: “Olmsted in the Field: Landscape Travels and Design Practices”

University of Virginia School of Architecture
Charlottesville, VA  
May 15 – December 11, 2021

Forest Therapy Walks at Planting Fields

Planting Fields Foundation
Oyster Bay, NY  
June 20, 2021 – April 26, 2022

From Seeds to Tribute Trees in Riverside, Illinois

Riverside, Illinois natural areas. See website for specific location for seed hunts each month. Botanical Boxes available through The Seed in Riverside.
Riverside, IL  
September 10 – 18, 2021

In the Footsteps of F.L. Olmsted in Birkenhead Park, England

Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre
Birkenhead, UK  
September 17, 2021

Conversations in Coe Hall: “Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America” with Laurence Cotton

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Oyster Bay , NY  
September 17, 2021

#FLOFriday Instagram Live

Instagram
 
September 19, 2021

The Olmsted Legacy: Bringing Nature to the City and Creating Breathing Space for Democracy

The Sinnott Family- Bank of Utica Auditorium
Utica, NY  
September 21, 2021

Conversations with Olmsted: Parks, Equity, and Public Health

Zoom
 
September 21 – 24, 2021

Plan It Native Conference

Virtual Conference, www.planitnative.org
Kansas City, MO  
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Get Involved

We invite everyone to be a part of Olmsted 200, the national celebration marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted. Find out how you can participate and show your commitment to our natural and historical heritage.

Recent News & Articles

Spotlights

Spotlight on… Riverside, IL

One of the first planned communities in the U.S.—Riverside, IL (Project Number 00607)—is said to be the realization of Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of the ideal suburb. Riverside was designed by Olmsted to be a place of tranquility, combining the best of the city and the country. In 1869, Olmsted and his partner Calvert Vaux […]
Research & Writings

The Power of Scenery: Frederick Law Olmsted and the Origin of National Parks

Frederick Law Olmsted and his works have been the subject of numerous books. To help celebrate Olmsted's bicentennial, Shared Spaces is conducting Q&A sessions with some authors about their Olmsted volumes. This blog introduces author Dennis Drabelle.
Life & Times

The American Farmer’s visit to the People’s Garden

When Frederick Law Olmsted arrived in Liverpool, England in May 1850, he quickly developed a fascinated with the neighboring town of Birkenhead. This blog details Frederick Law Olmsted's history with Birkenhead Park People's Garden, which is currently seeking World Heritage status through UNESCO.
See all articles