October 21, 2009 Storm Damage In Central Park

Northern Central Park Won’t Be The Same After August Storm

Regions of northern Central Park were heavily damaged by an intense storm that moved through the area on August 18^th, 2009.  Although the period of time in which the storm was at its worst is considerably brief (about 30 minutes), the amount of destruction left in its wake is truly immense.  More than a thousand trees sustained wind damage, and more than 500 required removal due to Central Park storm damage.

Overall, it has been estimated that the cost to repair the damage is around $3 million.

The storm damage also caused two playgrounds to close.  Furthermore, the large price tag that accompanies the restoration efforts is only one part of the tragedy; a number of highly valued, and aged, trees are among the victims (one of which was planted by the designer of Central Park well over a century ago), which are quite beyond monetary value.

But monetary value is nonetheless a big deal when it comes to storm damage, especially when it is to the degree that Central Park sustained it.  The present estimate of the damage inflicted on Central Park is in the area of several hundred thousand dollars to a few million—not an insignificant amount by any means.

Trees Need Protection From Storm Damage, Even In Central Park

As Central Park continues to raise money to recover from the extensive storm damage, this serves as an example of how swiftly a natural disaster can devastate valuable live assets.  Although some Central Park workers will undoubtedly embrace the challenge of replanting, the fact that the repair project is in part dependent on donations indicates a need for greater protection. 

The same holds for any live asset arrangement. Having to raise money for a vast recovery venture in response to a disaster is a considerable expense, and one that could be avoided with the right policy for support.

This Degree of Storm Damage to Central Park is About More Than Money

If you love trees, you have lost a piece of yourself when you lose such a large part of your beloved, favorite park – no matter where the park is located. 

Although after such a damaging storm the trees are gone forever, but the compounding of the emotional hit with the economic hit makes it hurt twice as bad. It is like losing a loved one without having life insurance to provide solace. You never want to lose a loved one, but the economic blow is softened when there is protection in place to rebuild after the loss. After losing a loved one, things aren’t the same anymore. But with the right planning, the loss is cushioned on many levels, and the rebuilding begins.

Landscape architects should hope their work stands the test of time like Olmsted and Vaux (the original park planners in the mid- to late-1800s and considered the founders of the profession of landscape architecture in America) and maybe with the right protection it will. Take a look at how Live Asset insurance could have helped Central Park in its recovery efforts with a natural disaster insurance policy insuring these trees against such a storm event.