Of the 129 acres of land purchased by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, only 37% was used for buildings. This is consistent with the "Tower in the Park" model, as it optimized the design of residential buildings in order to provide ample open space in urban environments, without forgoing density. In addition to the Metropolitan Oval, the layout for Parkchester included a central lawn on each quadrant, surrounded by pathways filled with plants and shrubs. Landscaping was also used as a noise barrier, with over 4,000 maples, birches, honey locusts, pines, oaks, dogwoods, and magnolias planted throughout the Complex. The courtyards around each building were left open, with no private backyards, providing visual continuity and ensuring accessibility. Recreational facilities were also part of the open space planning, with a total of 43 courtyards distributed among the four quadrants, as well as eight playgrounds and a softball diamond to the north. Photos: (top) View of interior court and path, (bottom) Aerial view of a quadrant's central lawn, 1940. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.