Central Park in Summer
Location : From 59th - 110th Streets,
Location : between Central Park West and 5th
Avenue
Phone : (212) 397 3156
Admission : Free
Hours : 24hrs / 7 days
Subway : various B,C trains to various stations.
Sheep Meadow
General
Created by Frederick Calvert Vaux in1858 on a mess of quarries, pig
farms and swamp land. It has since been transformed into a man made 340 ha ( 843 acre )
park land. The whole landscape took 15 years to build and 40 years to grow. The park
contains hills, lakes, meadows and magnificent natural foliage which includes nearly 1400
species of trees, shrubs and flowers. The park also contains playgrounds, skating rinks,
tennis courts and space for all sorts of games. The park contains over 93 km ( 58 miles )
of footpaths as well as more than 30 bridges and arches.
The park's north-south roads, the East, West and Center Drives are generally closed to
motorised traffic daily 10am to 3pm and 7 to 10pm and 7pm Friday to 6 am Monday and on
holidays.
Even though well known for violent crime, the reality is that Central Park precinct is
actually the lowest in New York City, according to the Police Commissioner. He says that
crime in The Park is down 60 percent over the last five years. Many people use the park at
night but it is recommended that you stay in lighted populated areas if you do.
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Wollman Ice Skating Rink
Wollman Ice
Skating Rink
Phone : (212) 396 9203 ext 5, lessons ext 15
Hours : Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10am - 6pm
Hours : Saturday 10am - 8pm
Located at the Southern end of the Park just north of Central Park South. It was
restored in 1980s by Donald Trump. Admission is $4 and $3 for children under 12 or 60 or
over. Lessons cost $12
Skating : In-line and roller skate rentals are available. Rentals are $15
per day with a $100 credit card or cash deposit or $6 if you stay in the rink. Lessons
cost $12.
Wollman Rink and City skyline
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The Dairy
The Dairy
Phone : (212) 794 6564
Hours : Mar - Nov = 10am - 5pm Tue - Sun, 1pm - 5pm Fri
Hours : Nov - Mar = 10am - 4pm Tue - Sun,
1pm - 4pm Fri
Just north of the Wollman Ice Skating Rink is the Victorian Gothic building that now
functions as the visitor centre. This is an excellent place to start exploring the park.
You'll find maps and details of park events and activities. You can also hire chess and
checkers sets for use on the "children's hill" nearby.
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Strawberry Fields
Imagine mosaic
This area was restored by Yoko Ono in tribute to her husband, John Lennon, who was
slain outside the Dakota Building nearby. John and Yoko lived in the Dakota building that
overlooked this spot ( where Yoko still lives ). Gifts for the International peace garden
came from all over the world (161 species in total, one from each country ). You will also
find a Mosaic set in the pathway inscribed with the word Imagine ( which was John Lennon's
favourite song. The Mosaic was a gift from the city of Naples, Italy.
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Belvedere Castle
Phone : (212) 772 0210
Hours : Mar - Nov = 10am - 5pm Tue - Sun, 1pm - 5pm Fri
Hours : Nov - Mar = 10am - 4pm Tue - Sun,
1pm - 4pm Fri
This stone castle sits atop Vista rock. The white castle was designed by Calvert Vaux
and was completed in 1872. The castle offers one of the better views of the city from the
rooftop lookout. The castle is also became a weather observatory in 1919. Inside you will
find the Central Park Learning Centre. The castle has exhibits on the
park's wildlife and ecosystems and is an excellent bird watching spot.
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Bow Bridge
Bow Bridge
One of the Park's original cast-iron bridges and is one of the most
famous. It has some of the best views of the Park and city skylines.
Looking west from the Bow Bridge
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Bethesda
Fountain
Bethesda Fountain
Located at the northern end of the Mall and south of the Lake. The
fountain was dedicated in 1873 and the statue, Angel of the Waters marked the opening of
the Croton Aqueduct that brought fresh water to the city.
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Wildlife
Center
Location : East 64th Street and Fifth
Avenue
Admission : Adults $3.50, Seniors $1.25, Children ( up to 12 ) 50c
Phone : (212) 439 6500
Hours : Apr - Oct = 10.30am - 5pm Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm Sat - Sun
Hours : Nov - Mar = 10am - 4.30pm daily
Built in 1934 and reconstructed in the late 1980's. There are more than
100 species of animals on display in three climate zones : the Tropics, Polar Circle and
the Californian Coast. Near the entrance to the Children's Zoo is the famous Delacorte
Clock which every half hour bronze animals appear, play instruments and circle around the
clock playing nursery rhymes.
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Conservatory Water
Conservatory
Gardens
Location : 5th Avenue at 105th
Street
Phone : (212) 360 2766
Hours : 8am - dusk daily
This elegant multi-tiered Continental style garden
that includes features such as sculptures, fountains and a central lawn that is very
popular for weddings. Free tours start at the garden's front gate Saturday at 11am.
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Poet's Walk in winter
Things to do
Bicycling : Three speed bicycles
can be rented for $8 per hour, tandems for $12 per hour with a $100 credit card or cash
security deposit. Rental is available at Loeb Boathouse, 74th Street mid park. Phone (212)
517 3623
Rowing : Boats can be rented at Loeb Boathouse for
$10 per hour with a $30 deposit, cash only. A gondola ride is $30 a half hour for up to
six people. Rentals available 9 am to dusk everyday. Gondola, requires reservations runs
from 5pm - 10pm. Phone (212) 517 3623.
Riding : The bridle path runs along the west side
from 59th to 104th street and then makes two loops to the east. Horses can be rented at
Claremont Stables located at 175 West 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
Cost is $33 an hour for experienced riders and $40 for a 30 minute beginners lesson.
Horses are available from an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset. Phone : (212)
724 5100.
Poet's Walk
Fishing : Catch and release fishing is permitted at
the Harlem Meer Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm all summer. The Meer is stocked with more
than 50,000 bass, catfish, golden shiners and bluegills. Bamboo poles and bait are free
with a valid photo id. Children under 12 must be accompanies by an adult. Phone (212) 860
1370
Lawn Bowling : The Bowling Greens are just
north of the Sheep Meadow near West 69th Street are usually open 1 - 3 pm Tuesday through
Sunday. The New York Lawn Bowling Club provides equipment, instruction and information.
Phone (212) 650 9218 or (212) 594 3525.
Tennis : There are 26 clay and 4 hard courts in the
middle of the park at 96th Street. The courts are open 7am - 7pm. Rental for the courts is
$5 per person per hour and season rentals are $50. Reservations are required and lessons
are also available. Phone (212) 280 0205.
Model Boats : On the east side of the Park at
74th Street you can sail remote controlled model boats. The boats can be rented for $10
per hour from 10am - 7pm Sunday to Friday, and 2pm - 7pm Saturday. Phone (212) 673 1102
Carousel : At 65th Street from 10am - 5pm Monday -
Friday and 10am - 6pm weekends. Phone (212) 879 0244.
Carriage Rides : Depart from 59th Street and
5th Avenue, or Tavern on the Green at Central Park West and 67th Street. Rides run from
10am - 1am. Cost is $34 per 30 minutes. The 59th Street tour passes the carousel, the
skating rink and Wildlife Center. The Tavern on the Green circuit includes the historic
Dakota apartments, Strawberry Fields and the Lake.
South western entrance on Columbus Circle
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