Balcony Bridge

Supporting the West Drive, this stately stone structure spans a small inlet connecting the Lake and what was originally the Ladies Pond, which was filled in during the 1930s.

The bridge is named for the two bench-lined balconies on its east side – a spot that affords the most scenic view over the Lake toward the city skylines of Central Park South and Fifth Avenues. For a spectacular vantage point of the bridge itself, view it from the Ramble or from a rowboat on the Lake.

Designed by Calvert Vaux, the bridge features sandstone railings with an open quatrefoil pattern. Its arch is constructed of Manhattan schist, which was actually excavated from the Park, and mountain greywacke, a light blue sandstone set in random ashlar.