John Lennon's 70th birthday at Strawberry Fields in Central Park

This year fans will mark the milestone of John Lennon's 70th birthday at locations all over the world. In New York, where John Lennon lived for the majority of the 1970s, fans have an extra special place to celebrate the occasion.

Since the special 2-1/2 acre section of New York City's Central Park was designated as 'Strawberry Fields' 25 years ago, Beatles and John Lennon fans have congregated here to remember Lennon's birthday every year on October 9. 

John Lennon, born in 1940, would have turned 70 this year. Five years after his death, on October 9, 1985, what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday, this tear-shaped section of Central Park stretching from 71st to 74th streets along Central Park West was re-named 'Strawberry Fields' after The Beatles' song 'Strawberry Fields Forever.'

Intended as an 'International Garden of Peace', the idea was conceived by Yoko Ono in 1981, and she donated $1 million to the project. In preparation for the area, Yoko ran an ad in the New York Times requesting rocks, plants and stones to be donated from nations around the world. As a result, 161 varieties of plants are included in the area representing the nations around the world.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Strawberry Fields was held on March 21, 1984 with Yoko Ono and Lennon’s sons Julian and Sean in attendance. A bronze plaque which was unveiled at the dedication ceremony lists 121 countries who endorse this Garden of Peace.

See photos of Strawberry Fields in Central Park

The city of Naples, Italy donated the majestic black and gray “Imagine” mosaic and Yoko chose that to be the centerpiece of the area.  Many fans decorate the mosaic with flowers, drawings and other items in tribute to John Lennon. 

The area is intended as a quiet place for reflection, designated as a "quiet zone" in the Park. In exchange for a generous donation to the Central Park Conservancy, patrons can get their name inscribed on a plaque on one of the benches 

The area is shaded by elm trees and provides many benches for visitors to relax and 'imagine.' The mosaic is located across the street from the Dakota apartment building, where John and Yoko lived together from 1973 until Lennon was gunned down in front of the building in 1980.

Yoko Ono still lives in the Dakota and her windows overlook the Strawberry Fields section of the Park at 72nd street and Central Park West. She and John used to take walks through the Park following the same path where Strawberry Fields now sits.

Related article: Top 10 Things to Do in New York

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