Spring has sprung, and with it comes the anticipated opening of Central Park’s Davis Center at the Harlem Meer, replacing the former Lasker Rink and Pool.
The park’s long-awaited $160 million upgrade will welcome guests beginning April 26th, and it promises to be a transformative experience for the northern end of the green space.
“The Davis Center is the culmination of the Central Park Conservancy’s more than 40 years of restoration and investment in Central Park’s north end, and this new facility and reimagined landscape is one of the most beautiful and innovative additions to the city’s civic infrastructure in decades,” Betsy Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, said in a statement.
The spectacular space will offer year-round programming, starting with Saturday’s free opening celebration at noon. Guests can enjoy live music, crafts for all ages, dance, yoga, lawn games, and more.
All about the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer
After decades of planning “the Conservancy’s most significant and complex undertaking to date” includes a year-round rec center, the Gottesman Pool that opens in June — a.k.a. the eighth-largest public pool in NYC that will transform into an ice skating rink in the winter — and public greenery.
Throughout the year, New Yorkers can expect free and low-cost programs such as yoga sessions, school tours, nature activities, wellness classes, and more. JPMorganChase, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Philip & Alicia Hammarskjold, and Paula and Jeffrey Gural are providing the funding for the free and low-cost activities.
“Equally important, the Davis Center will prioritize affordability, offering low-cost programming, accessible ice skating, and free fall and spring activities on the lawn, including nature programs and more,” added NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This project will create an inclusive and dynamic space where all New Yorkers can gather, play, and connect with nature.”
Should you be a fan of birding, there’s plenty to look forward to in Central Park with the 300+ bird species that call the park home.
“NYC Bird Alliance is proud to partner with Central Park Conservancy on programming at the new Davis Center, which will enrich wildlife habitat and connect more New Yorkers to the joys of birding in this urban biodiversity hotspot,” Jessica Wilson, the Executive Director of NYC Bird Alliance, said in a statement.
New Yorkers are invited for a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 26th at 12pm at the grounds’ new Harlem Oval. Attendees will be treated to activations from local community-based organizations, snacks, live performances and hourly tours of the space.
We’ll see you there this weekend!
To learn more about the project, visit the Davis Center’s website.