Central Park

==<span class="anchor" id="Natural features"></span>Landscape features==
===Geology===
[[File:Rat rock east face Feb jeh.jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=East side of Rat Rock with high rise buildings in the background|East side of [[Rat Rock (Central Park)|Rat Rock]]]]
There are four different types of [[bedrock]] in Manhattan. In Central Park, [[Manhattan schist]] and Hartland schist, which are both metamorphosed [[sedimentary rock]], are exposed in various [[outcrop]]pings. The other two types, [[Fordham gneiss]] (an older deeper layer) and [[Inwood marble]] (metamorphosed [[limestone]] which overlays the [[gneiss]]), do not surface in the park.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=220–221}}{{sfn|McCully|2006|p=6}}{{sfn|Merguerian|Merguerian|2004|p=1}} Fordham gneiss, which consists of metamorphosed [[igneous rock]]s, was formed a billion years ago, during the [[Grenville orogeny]] that occurred during the creation of an ancient super-continent. Manhattan schist and Hartland schist were formed in the [[Iapetus Ocean]] during the [[Taconic orogeny]] in the [[Paleozoic]] era, about 450&nbsp;million years ago, when the tectonic plates began to merge to form the supercontinent [[Pangaea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004NE/finalprogram/abstract_70544.htm |title=Deformational History Of The Manhattan Rocks And Its Relationship With The State Of In-Situ Stress In The New York City Area, New York|date=March 25, 2004|last1=Shah|first1=A.N.|last2=Chang|first2=C.C. |last3=Kim|first3=K.|publisher=Geological Society of America|volume=36|issue=2|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181118121521/https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2004NE/finalprogram/abstract_70544.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2018}}</ref> [[Cameron's Line]], a [[fault zone]] that traverses Central Park on an east–west axis, divides the outcroppings of Hartland schist to the south and Manhattan schist to the north.{{sfn|Merguerian|Merguerian|2004|pp=7–8}}

Various glaciers have covered the area of Central Park in the past, with the most recent being the [[Wisconsinan glaciation|Wisconsin glacier]] which receded about 12,000&nbsp;years ago. Evidence of past glaciers can be seen throughout the park in the form of [[glacial erratic]]s (large boulders dropped by the receding glacier) and north–south glacial striations visible on stone outcroppings.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=220–221}}<ref name="Broad 2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/science/how-the-ice-age-shaped-new-york.html |title=How the Ice Age Shaped New York|last=Broad|first=William J|date=June 5, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2019 |issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508055054/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/science/how-the-ice-age-shaped-new-york.html|archive-date=May 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/geology|title=Geological History of NYC Parks|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504193725/https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/geology|archive-date=May 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Alignments of glacial erratics, called "boulder trains", are present throughout Central Park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/14/nyregion/the-very-cold-case-of-the-glacier.html |title=The Very Cold Case of the Glacier|last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=September 14, 2005|work=The New York Times |access-date=April 15, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214012226/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/14/nyregion/the-very-cold-case-of-the-glacier.html|archive-date=December 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The most notable of these outcroppings is [[Rat Rock (Central Park)|Rat Rock]] (also known as Umpire Rock), a circular outcropping at the southwestern corner of the park.<ref name="Broad 2018"/>{{sfn|Sherman|1994|pp=226–228}} It measures {{convert|55|ft|m}} wide and {{convert|15|ft|m}} tall with different east, west, and north faces.{{sfn|Sherman|1994|pp=226–228}}<ref name="Bleyer 2007">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/nyregion/thecity/07boul.html |title=The Zen of the Rock|last=Bleyer|first=Jennifer|date=October 7, 2007|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419153254/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/nyregion/thecity/07boul.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bouldering|Boulderers]] sometimes congregate there.<ref name="Bleyer 2007"/>  A single [[Kettle (landform)|glacial pothole]] with yellow clay is near the southwest corner of the park.{{sfn|Merguerian|Merguerian|2004|p=18}}{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=224}}

The underground geology of Central Park was altered by the construction of several subway lines underneath it, and by the [[New York City Water Tunnel No.&nbsp;3]] approximately {{Convert|700|ft|m|abbr=}} underground. Excavations for the project have uncovered [[pegmatite]], [[feldspar]], [[quartz]], [[biotite]], and several [[metal]]s.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=225–226}}

=== <span class="anchor" id="Wooded areas"></span><span class="anchor" id="Lawns"></span>Wooded areas and lawns ===
[[File:2886-Central Park-The Ramble.JPG|thumb|upright=1|alt=Trees and a pathway in the Ramble|Wooded area of [[The Ramble and Lake]]]]
There are three wooded areas in Central Park: [[North Woods and North Meadow|North Woods]], [[The Ramble and Lake|the Ramble]], and [[The Pond and Hallett Nature Sanctuary|Hallett Nature Sanctuary]].{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|pp=2–3}} [[North Woods and North Meadow|North Woods]], the largest of the woodlands, is at the northwestern corner of Central Park.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=44–45}}<ref name="Plitt 2017">{{cite web |url=https://ny.curbed.com/maps/central-park-new-york-city-things-to-do|title=20 hidden gems of Central Park |last=Plitt|first=Amy|date=July 1, 2017|publisher=Curbed NY|access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328213838/https://ny.curbed.com/maps/central-park-new-york-city-things-to-do|archive-date=March 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Conservancy North Woods">{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-woods.html |title=North Woods |publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423232833/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-woods.html|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It covers about {{Convert|90|acre|ha|abbr=}} adjacent to North Meadow.{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|pp=37–38}} The name sometimes applies to other attractions in the park's northern end; these adjacent features plus the area of North Woods can be {{Convert|200|acre|ha|abbr=}}.<ref name="Howe 1993"/> North Woods contains the {{Convert|55|acre|ha|abbr=|adj=on}} Ravine, a forest with [[deciduous]] trees on its northwestern slope, and the Loch, a small stream that winds diagonally through North Woods.<ref name="Conservancy North Woods"/>{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|p=39}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves/site?FWID=51|title=Central Park Preserve: The North Woods|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203211115/https://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves/site?FWID=51|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Ramble is in the southern third of the park next to the Lake.<ref name="central-park-map"/>{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|pp=44–45}}<ref name="Conservancy Ramble">{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/ramble.html |title=The Ramble |publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420154820/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/ramble.html|archive-date=April 20, 2019}}</ref> Covering {{Convert|36|to|38|acre|ha|0|abbr=}}, it contains a series of winding paths.<ref name="Conservancy Ramble"/> The area contains a diverse selection of vegetation and other flora, which attracts a plethora of birds.{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|pp=44–45}}<ref name="Conservancy Ramble"/> At least 250&nbsp;species of birds have been spotted in the Ramble over the years.<ref name="Conservancy Ramble"/><ref name="Kilgannon 2011">{{cite web|last=Kilgannon|first=Corey|date=May 7, 2011|title=Bird-Watchers in Central Park Flock to the Ramble|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/nyregion/bird-watchers-in-central-park-flock-to-the-ramble.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422002329/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/nyregion/bird-watchers-in-central-park-flock-to-the-ramble.html|archive-date=April 22, 2019|access-date=April 21, 2019|work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Historically, the Ramble was known as a place for private homosexual encounters due to its seclusion.<ref name="Foderaro 2012">{{cite web |last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W. |date=September 14, 2012|title=In Central Park, an Uneasy Coexistence Grows Uneasier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/nyregion/in-central-park-an-uneasy-coexistence-grows-uneasier.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422002326/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/nyregion/in-central-park-an-uneasy-coexistence-grows-uneasier.html|archive-date=April 22, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 21, 2019 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is at the southeastern corner of Central Park.<ref name="central-park-map"/>{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|pp=48–49}}{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=30–31}} It is the smallest wooded area at {{Convert|4|acre|ha|abbr=}}.<ref name="Conservancy Hallett">{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/hallett-nature-sanctuary.html |title=Hallett Nature Sanctuary|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424212707/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/hallett-nature-sanctuary.html|archive-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref> Originally known as the Promontory, it was renamed after civic activist and birder [[George Hervey Hallett Jr.]] in 1986.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=30–31}}<ref name="Conservancy Hallett"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-in-honor-of-a-civic-leader.html |title=New York Day by Day; In Honor of a Civic Leader|last1=Anderson|first1=Susan Heller|date=July 1, 1986 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 23, 2019|last2=Dunlap|first2=David W.|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423232835/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/01/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-in-honor-of-a-civic-leader.html |archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hallett Sanctuary was closed to the public from 1934 to May 2016, when it was reopened allowing limited access.<ref>{{Cite news|title=A Secret Section of Central Park Reopens |last=Barron|first=James|date=May 10, 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/nyregion/a-secret-section-of-central-park-reopens.html|access-date=April 23, 2019 |work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423232831/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/nyregion/a-secret-section-of-central-park-reopens.html|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Central Park Conservancy classifies its remaining green space into four types of lawns, labeled alphabetically based on usage and the amount of maintenance needed. There are seven high-priority "A Lawns", collectively covering {{convert|65|acre|ha}}, that are heavily used: [[Sheep Meadow]], [[Great Lawn and Turtle Pond|Great Lawn]], North Meadow, East Meadow, [[Conservatory Garden]], [[Heckscher Ballfields]], and the Lawn Bowling and Croquet Greens near Sheep Meadow. These are permanently surrounded by fences, are constantly maintained, and are closed during the off-season. Another 16 lawns, covering {{convert|37|acre|ha}}, are classed as "B Lawns" and are fenced off only during off-seasons, while an additional {{convert|69|acre|ha}} are "C Lawns" and are only occasionally fenced off. The lowest-prioritized type of turf, "D Lawns", cover {{convert|162|acre|ha}} and are open year-round with few barriers or access restrictions.{{sfn|Central Park Conservancy|2016|pp=34–37 (PDF pp. 19–20)}}

===Watercourses===
{{multiple image|align=right|direction=vertical|width=220
|image1=Central Park New York October 2016 004.jpg|alt caption1= A body of water called the Harlem Meer with buildings in the background|caption1=[[Harlem Meer]]
|image2=Central Park loch (83183).jpg|caption2=The Loch
|image3=Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.jpg|alt caption3=The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir with buildings in the background to the left|caption3=[[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir]] in the park
|image4=Central Park - Loeb Boathouse (48377219127).jpg|alt caption4= Loeb Boathouse in the background with rowboats tied together in the foreground|caption4=Loeb Boathouse Cafe}}

Central Park is home to numerous bodies of water.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=35}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 321" /> The northernmost lake, [[Harlem Meer]], is near the northeastern corner of the park and covers nearly {{convert|11|acre}}.<ref name="Harlem Meer">{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/harlem-meer.html |title=Harlem Meer|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403231259/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/harlem-meer.html|archive-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=46–48}} Located in a wooded area of [[oak]], [[cypress]], and [[beech]] trees, it was named after Harlem, one of Manhattan's first suburban communities, and was built after the completion of the southern portion of the park. Harlem Meer allows [[catch and release]] fishing.<ref name="Harlem Meer"/> It is fed by two interconnected water features: [[North Woods and North Meadow#The Pool and Loch|the Pool]], a pond within the North Woods fed by drinking water,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Central Park Conservancy|title=The Pool|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pool.html|access-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714135147/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pool.html|archive-date=July 14, 2019}}</ref> and [[North Woods and North Meadow#The Pool and Loch|the Loch]], a small stream with three cascades that winds through the North Woods.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|title=The Loch|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/loch.html|access-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714135147/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/loch.html|archive-date=July 14, 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=44–45}} These are all adapted from a single watercourse called Montayne's Rivulet, originally fed from a natural spring but later replenished by the city's water system.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/realestate/scenes-from-a-wild-youth-streetscapescentral-park.html |title=Scenes From a Wild Youth – Streetscapes/Central Park|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=May 26, 2011 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404170143/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/realestate/scenes-from-a-wild-youth-streetscapescentral-park.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=48}} [[Lasker Rink]] is above the mouth of the Loch where it drains into the Harlem Meer.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=47}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/02/24/archives/central-park-to-get-swimming-pool-and-ice-rink-combined-110th-st.html |title=Central Park to Get Swimming Pool and Ice Rink; Combined 110th St. Facilities Will Cost $l,800,000 |date=February 24, 1962|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

South of Harlem Meer and the Pool is Central Park's largest lake, the [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir]], known as the Central Park Reservoir before 1994.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cardwell|first=Diane|title=Central Park Reservoir Fountain Returns to Life|work=City Room|publisher=The New York Times Company|date=July 30, 2007|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/central-park-reservoir-fountain-is-given-life-again/|access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404224525/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/central-park-reservoir-fountain-is-given-life-again/|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was constructed between 1858 and 1862. Covering an area of {{convert|106|acre}} between 86th&nbsp;and 96th&nbsp;streets, the reservoir reaches a depth of more than {{convert|40|ft}} in places and contains about {{convert|1|e9usgal|e9l|abbr=off|sp=us}} of water.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|title=Reservoir|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/reservoir.html|access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419153251/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/reservoir.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=42–44}} The Onassis Reservoir was created as a new, landscaped storage reservoir to the north of the [[Croton Aqueduct]]'s rectangular receiving reservoir.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=42}} Because of the Onassis Reservoir's shape, East Drive was built as a straight path, with little clearance between the reservoir to the west and Fifth Avenue to the east.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=50}} It was decommissioned in 1993{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=43}}<ref name="nyt19930506"/> and renamed after [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]] the following year, after her death.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=43}}<ref name="nyt19940723"/>

The [[Turtle Pond (Central Park)|Turtle Pond]] is at the southern edge of the Great Lawn. The pond was originally part of the Croton receiving reservoir.<ref name="Turtle Pond">{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/turtle-pond.html |title=Turtle Pond|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404175001/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/turtle-pond.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=40–41}} The receiving reservoir was drained starting in 1930,{{sfn|Rosenzweig|Blackmar|1992|p=439}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/04/15/archives/400-trucks-filling-central-park-basin-task-of-dumping-1000000-cubic.html |title=400 Trucks Filling Central Park Basin|date=April 15, 1930|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 26, 2019|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the dry reservoir bed was temporarily used as a homeless encampment when filling stopped during the Great Depression.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=40–41}}{{sfn|Rosenzweig|Blackmar|1992|pp=441–442}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/29/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-s-hooverville-life-along-depression-street.html |title=Streetscapes: Central Park's 'Hooverville'; Life Along 'Depression Street'|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=August 29, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 26, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606044501/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/29/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-s-hooverville-life-along-depression-street.html|archive-date=June 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Great Lawn was completed in 1937 on the site of the reservoir.{{sfn|Rosenzweig|Blackmar|1992|p=451}} Until 1987, it was known as Belvedere Lake, after the castle at its southwestern corner.<ref name="Turtle Pond"/>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=40–41}}

[[The Lake (Central Park)|The Lake]], south of the 79th Street transverse, covers nearly {{convert|18|acre}}.<ref name="The Lake">{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/lake.html |title=The Lake|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404174950/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/lake.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> Originally, it was part of the [[Sawkill]] Creek, which flowed near the American Museum of Natural History.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=32}}{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=33}} The Lake was among the first features to be completed, opening to skaters in December 1858.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=32–33}} It was intended to accommodate boats in the summer and ice skaters in winter.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=32–33}}<ref name="The Lake"/> The Loeb Boathouse, on the eastern shore of the Lake, rents out rowboats, kayaks, and gondolas, and houses a restaurant.<ref name="Loeb Boat House 1939"/><ref name="Conservancy Loeb Boathouse"/>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=34}} The Lake is spanned by Bow Bridge at its center,{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=34}} and its northern inlet, Bank Rock Bay, is spanned by the Bank Rock or Oak Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oak Bridge at Bank Rock Bay|publisher=Central Park Conservancy |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/oak-bridge.html|access-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045236/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/oak-bridge.html|archive-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=33}} Ladies' Pond, spanned by two bridges on the western end of the Lake, was infilled in the 1930s.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=33}}

Directly east of the Lake is [[Conservatory Water]],<ref name="central-park-map"/> on the site of an unbuilt formal garden.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=36–37}} The shore of Conservatory Water contains the Kerbs Memorial Boathouse,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/860|title=Jeanne E. Kerbs|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416215622/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/860|archive-date=April 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> where patrons can rent and navigate model boats.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=36–37}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-water.html |title=Conservatory Water|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416215620/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-water.html|archive-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/06/nyregion/new-yorkers-co-266095.html |title=New Yorkers & Co.|date=August 6, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526142212/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/06/nyregion/new-yorkers-co-266095.html|archive-date=May 26, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the park's southeast corner is [[The Pond (Central Park)|the Pond]], with an area of {{convert|3.5|acre}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pond.html |title=The Pond |publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404174955/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pond.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=28}} The Pond was adapted from part of the former DeVoor's Mill Stream, which used to flow into the [[East River]] at the modern-day neighborhood of [[Turtle Bay, Manhattan|Turtle Bay]].{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|p=35}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/nyregion/tracing-the-waterways-beneath-the-sidewalks-of-new-york.html |title=Tracing the Waterways Beneath the Sidewalks of New York |last=Dwyer |first=Jim|date=May 11, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404170140/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/nyregion/tracing-the-waterways-beneath-the-sidewalks-of-new-york.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The western section of the Pond was converted into Wollman Rink in 1950.{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=106–109}}{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=29–30}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/12/18/archives/new-skating-rink-in-central-park-to-be-opened-to-public-thursday.html |title=New Skating Rink in Central Park To Be Opened to Public Thursday|date=December 18, 1950 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 23, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423234208/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/12/18/archives/new-skating-rink-in-central-park-to-be-opened-to-public-thursday.html|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>