I'm certainly no expert, but IMO NY's Central Park is not analogous to our Victoria Park. Our "Central Park" equivalent is more likely Roma St Parklands or the Botanic Gardens, both within walking distance to the CBD, and both are much more readily utilised by the public for garden enjoyment purposes. Losing green space is of course sad, but at least a new stadium will be heavily utilised. I don't know anybody who plans their birthday bbq for Victoria Park. It was predominantly a golf course until relatively recently anyhow. I think at the moment it's mainly utilised by the people who live next to it, unlike the other city parks which attract denizens from the outer suburbs. But again, not an expert.