A giant in the field of conservation and city planning, Olmsted was far ahead of his time in his concern for the environment. He realized how necessary parks were to urban dwellers, and believed they should be open to all. Most famous for the design and construction of New York's Central Park in the mid-19th century, Olmsted designed countless parks and was instrumental in making Yosemite Valley America's first national park, refusing to compromise his ideals and devoting himself with fierce energy to his dream of America.

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