>Central Park worked because the existing density was already high and there was no way for Manhattan to grow outward Central Park was built before the first s

>Central Park worked because the existing density was already high and there was no way for Manhattan to grow outward Central Park was built before the first subway and before the bridges connecting Brooklyn, Queens and Jersey. The dirt dug from the tunnels was added to lower Manhattan. Prior to elevators buildings rarely went higher than 5 stories. There was in fact ways for Manhattan to grow outwards (effectively).