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

A Virtual Design Symposium and Flower Show: The Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted

University of Virginia School of Architecture
Charlottesville, VA  
October 4, 2021

FLO Jr. and Master Planning: What Cities Can Learn Today

TBD
New York, NY  
April 1 – May 27, 2021

Biltmore Blooms

Biltmore
Asheville, NC  
May 15 – December 11, 2021

Forest Therapy Walks at Planting Fields

Planting Fields Foundation
Oyster Bay, NY  
May 18, 2021

Philadelphia and the Pastoral Landscape: FDR Park

Webinar
 
May 18, 2021

Conversations with Olmsted: His Visions for Reform

Virtual
 
May 18, 2021

An Evening with Jennifer Ott exploring the Olmsted Legacy in Seattle

Zoom
 
June 5 – 13, 2021

Philadelphia Flower Show Habitat: Nature’s Masterpiece

FDR Park
Philadelphia, PA  
June 9, 2021

Showcase: Olmsted Legacy Projects – Creating a Seaside Wellness Trail at Bridgeport’s Seaside Park

Zoom
 
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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

Conservation & Advocacy

Call to Release Grant Funds for the Purchase of Olmsted Farm Property

Olmsted 200 coalition members call on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to save the Frederick Law Olmsted Farmhouse.
Landscape Architecture & Design

Remembering the Adventure Playland on Washington Park’s Bynum Island

Julia Bachrach is an award-winning author, historian, preservationist, urban planner and professor. In this blog post, she reflects on Washington Park’s Adventure Playland and her previous conversations with Arnold Randall. Randall, the General Superintendent at the Forest Preserves of Cook County, grew up playing on the park structure.
Research & Writings

FanFare for Frederick Law Olmsted: Good Reading

Throughout his life, Frederick Law Olmsted filled many roles from landscape architect, to journalist, conservationist, and others. This article highlights several books about Frederick Law Olmsted’s multifaceted life.
See all articles