Restoration

We rebuilt the former Lasker Rink and Pool to better integrate the facility into the landscape, offer new and enhanced outdoor activities, and increase access for communities around the north end of Central Park.

A beautiful, tree-lined six-mile perimeter rings Central Park. Characterized by its hexagonal asphalt pavers and granite blocks laid out in intricate patterns, the perimeter was first paved in the 1930s and 1940s—and most of it hasn’t been restored since.

Our restoration of the Conservatory Garden focused on its hardscapes, architectural features, and utilities—almost all original to the Garden’s 1937 construction.

The Conservancy is in the process of planning a much-needed renovation of the park facility at the North Meadow.

The next phase of our work to restore the Ramble will be the reconstruction of open-air shelters that once existed at high points in the landscape.

This project will modernize the mechanical, plumbing, and control systems of one of the most famous landmarks in the park to improve performance, efficiency, and ease of maintenance while maintaining relative simplicity of operation.

The Harlem Meer shoreline restoration project will build upon the Central Park Conservancy's work at and around the Harlem Meer, including our 1990 restoration of the Meer, the East 108th Street and East 110th Street Playground projects, and the ongoing Davis Center project.

The Central Park Conservancy is restoring several of the Park’s cast-iron bridges. This work includes their decorative features, structural elements to ensure stability and longevity, and decking and railing systems. We completed our work on Bow Bridge in January 2024, and we expect to start construction on Gothic Bridge in spring 2024. We are in the process of determining the timeline for Pinebank Arch’s restoration.

The restoration of West 85th Street Playground will acknowledge the prominence of this playground within the Seneca Village site and re-envision the playground as a play and family gathering space connected to the surrounding landscape.

After reconstructing Grand Army Plaza North in 2015, the Conservancy is now comprehensively restoring the south side. The project will include utility and infrastructure improvements; pavement repair; new plantings; upgraded site furnishings, including the historic benches; and conservation of Pulitzer Fountain.

The Central Park Conservancy is reconstructing the Delacorte Theater’s public restroom and improving accessibility in the surrounding area. Our work is in tandem with the Public Theater’s reconstruction of the Delacorte Theater, which began in fall 2023. The facility’s public restroom serves as the primary restroom for visitors to the theater and nearby landscapes, including the Great Lawn, the Swedish Cottage, and Shakespeare Garden.

The Conservancy will restore the Great Hill public restroom to its original historic design, including cleaning and repointing the masonry, replacing windows and doors, and repairing sections of the slate roof. Inside, the layout will be reconfigured to add accessible stalls and upgrade mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems—making the restroom a year-round facility.

This project is a continuation of our restoration work in the north end of the park. It will help to reduce city potable water use and flooding while improving water quality in the Pool, Loch, and Meer.