Strawberry Fields (memorial) facts for kids
Strawberry Fields is a special area in New York City's Central Park. It covers about 2.5 acres (1.0 hectare). This beautiful spot was designed by a landscape architect named Bruce Kelly.
It is a memorial dedicated to John Lennon, a famous musician from The Beatles. The name "Strawberry Fields" comes from a Beatles song called "Strawberry Fields Forever". John Lennon wrote this song. The song itself was named after a children's home in Liverpool, England, near where Lennon grew up.
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What is Strawberry Fields?
The entrance to this memorial is on Central Park West at West 72nd Street. This spot is very close to the Dakota building, where John Lennon lived and was sadly murdered.
The main part of the memorial is a round mosaic made of stones. It has one famous word in the middle: "Imagine". This is the title of one of Lennon's most well-known songs. The mosaic looks like old Portuguese designs. It was made by Italian artists and given as a gift from the city of Naples, Italy.
A "floral border" of flowers surrounds the area. There are also benches around the mosaic. These benches are dedicated to other people and are cared for by the Central Park Conservancy. A special rock nearby lists the countries that helped create the memorial. Yoko Ono, John Lennon's wife, gave a lot of money to help make and keep the memorial beautiful.
Strawberry Fields is known as a "quiet zone." It has open grassy areas and rocky spots carved by glaciers. There are also many shrubs, trees, and wooded slopes. A walking path goes through the area. You can see different kinds of plants like rhododendrons, hollies, and mountain laurels. There are also wild roses and a pink magnolia tree. At the very top of the lawns, there are three dawn redwood trees. These trees lose their needles in winter but grow them back in spring. They are a symbol of new beginnings.
History of Strawberry Fields
How it was Created
After John Lennon was murdered in December 1980, a part of Central Park was named "Strawberry Fields" in his honor. This happened in April 1981. In August of that year, plans were made to completely rebuild and landscape the area.
Yoko Ono wanted the memorial to be a "living memorial," not just a statue. She felt there were already many statues in Central Park. Bruce Kelly, a landscape architect for the Central Park Conservancy, designed the memorial.
Construction started in April 1984. Strawberry Fields was officially opened on October 9, 1985. This day would have been John Lennon's 45th birthday. Yoko Ono and Mayor Ed Koch were there for the dedication.
How People Use It
Fans of John Lennon often visit the memorial. They leave flowers, candles, and other items. On Lennon's birthday (October 9) and the day he died (December 8), people gather there. They sing songs and remember him, often staying late into the night. Sometimes, gatherings also happen for the birthdays of other Beatles members.
People have also gathered at the memorial to remember other musicians like Jerry Garcia and George Harrison. After the September 11 attacks, people held candlelight vigils at the "Imagine" mosaic to remember those who were affected.
On weekends, musicians often play music for the many fans who visit from all over the world. These musicians used to argue sometimes, but now they usually follow an unspoken agreement to share the space.
"Mayor of Strawberry Fields"
One of the most famous visitors to Strawberry Fields was Gary dos Santos. He was a big fan of The Beatles. For 19 years, he would decorate the memorial with circles of flowers and other objects. He often made them into peace signs.
Gary dos Santos was a performance artist. He earned money from tips given by tourists. He would also give a short speech to visitors about his work and John Lennon's life. A documentary film called The Mayor of Strawberry Fields was made about him.
For almost 20 years, Gary went to the memorial every day with his girlfriend, Lisa Page, and their dog, Mary Jane. Many local people knew him well. Gary was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2013 and sadly passed away in November 2013.
Images for kids
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The "Imagine" mosaic at the memorial.
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People gathering at the memorial on the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death.
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Gary Dos Santos (center) at Strawberry Fields in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Strawberry Fields (memorial) para niños
