Central Park

===<span class="anchor" id="Visitor attractions"></span><span class="anchor" id="Points of interest"></span><span class="anchor" id="Attractions"></span><span class="anchor" id="Notable structures"></span>Structures===
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[[File:Metropolitan Museum of Art entrance NYC.JPG|thumb|upright=1|alt=Main facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art|[[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]'s [[The Met Fifth Avenue|Fifth Avenue building]]]]
[[File:Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York, USA-1Aug2010.jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=Bethesda Terrace and Fountain with people walking on the Central Park Mall|[[Bethesda Terrace and Fountain]]]]
[[File:Gapstow Bridge.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[List of arches and bridges in Central Park|Gapstow Bridge]] in fall|alt=A stone bridge above a lake, with autumn foliage on either side]]
The [[Harlem Meer|Dana Discovery Center]] was built in 1993 at the northeast section of the park, on the north shore of the [[Harlem Meer]].<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref name="Plitt 2017"/>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=47}} [[Blockhouse No. 1]], the oldest extant structure within Central Park, and built before the park's creation, sits in the northwest section of the park. It was erected as part of [[Fort Clinton (Central Park)|Fort Clinton]] during the [[War of 1812]].<ref name="Plitt 2017"/><ref>{{cite web |title=The Blockhouse – Historical Sign |date=April 23, 2008|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |url=http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=7713 |access-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423092000/http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=7713|archive-date=April 23, 2008}}</ref>{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=47}} The Blockhouse is near McGowan's Pass, rocky outcroppings that also once contained [[Fort Fish]] and [[Nutter's Battery]].{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=46}} The [[Lasker Rink]], a skating rink and swimming pool facility, formerly occupied the southwest corner of the Harlem Meer.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|pp=47–48}} The [[Conservatory Garden]], the park's only formal garden, is entered through the Vanderbilt Gate at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street.<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-garden.html |title=Conservatory Garden|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402043331/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/conservatory-garden.html|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Tarr Family Playground]], [[North Meadow Recreation Center]], tennis courts, and East Meadow sit between the Loch to the north and the reservoir to the south.<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow-recreation-center.html |title=North Meadow Recreation Center|publisher=Central Park Conservancy |access-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404183612/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow-recreation-center.html|archive-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> The [[North Woods and North Meadow|North Woods]] takes up the rest of the northern third of the park. The areas in the northern section of the park were developed later than the southern section and are not as heavily used, so there are several unnamed features.{{sfn|Andropogon Associates|1989|p=37}} The park's northern portion was intended as the "natural section" in contrast to the landscaped "pastoral section" to the south.<ref name="Reynolds p. 321" />

The area between the 86th&nbsp;and 96th&nbsp;Street transverses is mostly occupied by the [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir|Onassis Reservoir]]. Directly south of the Reservoir is the Great Lawn and Turtle Pond. The Lawn is bordered by the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]'s [[The Met Fifth Avenue|Fifth Avenue building]] to the east, Turtle Pond to the south, and Summit Rock to the west.<ref name="central-park-map"/> Summit Rock, the highest point in Central Park at {{convert|137.5|ft|m}},{{sfn|Berman|2003|p=29}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/12391 |work=Central Park Highlights|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|title=Vista Rock & Tunnel|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190404195825/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/12391 |archive-date=April 4, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> abuts [[Diana Ross Playground]] to the south and the Seneca Village site, occupied by the Toll Family playground, to the north.<ref name="central-park-map"/> Turtle Pond's western shore contains Belvedere Castle, Delacorte Theater, the Shakespeare Garden, and [[Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre|Marionette Theatre]].<ref name="central-park-map"/> The section between the 79th&nbsp;Street transverse and Terrace Drive at 72nd&nbsp;Street contains three main natural features: the forested Ramble, the L-shaped Lake, and Conservatory Water. [[Cherry Hill (Central Park)|Cherry Hill]] is to the south of the Lake, while [[Cedar Hill (Central Park)|Cedar Hill]] is to the east.<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref name="Plitt 2017"/>

The southernmost part of Central Park, below Terrace Drive, contains several children's attractions and other flagship features.<ref name="central-park-map"/> It contains many of the structures built in Central Park's initial stage of construction, designed in the [[Victorian Gothic]] style.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=7 (PDF p. 8)}} Directly facing the southeastern shore of the Lake is a bi-level hall called Bethesda Terrace, which contains an elaborate fountain on its lower level.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=7 (PDF p. 8)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/1991|title=Bethesda Terrace|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150604/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/monuments/1991 |archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 322">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=322}}</ref> Bethesda Terrace connects to [[Central Park Mall]], a landscaped walkway and the only formal feature in the Greensward Plan.<ref name="central-park-map"/>{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1974|p=7 (PDF p. 8)}} Near the southwestern shore of the Lake is [[Strawberry Fields (memorial)|Strawberry Fields]], a memorial to [[John Lennon]] who was [[Murder of John Lennon|murdered nearby]];<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/strawberry-fields.html |title=Strawberry Fields|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150600/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/strawberry-fields.html|archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Sheep Meadow, a lawn originally intended for use as a parade ground;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/10761 |title=Sheep Meadow|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150609/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/10761 |archive-date=April 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and Tavern on the Green, a restaurant.<ref name="central-park-map"/> The southern border of Central Park contains the "Children's District",<ref name="NYC Parks Carousel">{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/12390 |work=Central Park Highlights|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|title=The Carousel|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410150607/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/12390 |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> an area that includes Heckscher Playground, the [[Central Park Carousel]], the [[Ballplayers House]], and the Chess and Checkers House.<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref name="NYC Parks Carousel"/> Wollman Rink/[[Victorian Gardens]], the Central Park Zoo and Children's Zoo, the Arsenal, and the Pond and Hallett Nature Sanctuary are nearby.<ref name="central-park-map"/><ref name="Plitt 2017"/> The Arsenal, a red-brick building designed by [[Martin E. Thompson]] in 1851, has been NYC Parks' headquarters since 1934.<ref name="Reynolds p. 325">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=325}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Arsenal |url=https://nycgovparks.org/about/history/the-arsenal |access-date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation}}</ref>

There are 21&nbsp;children's playgrounds in Central Park. The largest, at {{convert|3|acre|m2|spell=in}}, is Heckscher Playground.<ref name="Playgrounds"/> Central Park includes [[List of arches and bridges in Central Park|36&nbsp;ornamental bridges]], each of a different design.<ref name="Reed 1990">[[Henry Hope Reed Jr.|Henry Hope Reed]], Robert M. McGee and Esther Mipaas. ''The Bridges of Central Park.'' (Greensward Foundation) 1990.</ref>{{sfn|Heckscher|2008|pp=45–46}}<ref name="Reynolds p. 325" /> The bridges are generally designed in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] or [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] styles and are made of wood, stone, or cast iron.<ref name="Reynolds p. 325" /> "Rustic" shelters and other structures were originally spread out through the park. Most have been demolished over the years, and several have been restored.<ref name="Reynolds p. 325" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-central-park-shelter.html |title=New York Day by Day; Central Park Shelter|last1=Johnston|first1=Laurie|date=August 13, 1983|work=The New York Times |access-date=April 19, 2019|last2=Anderson|first2=Susan Heller|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033334/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-central-park-shelter.html |archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/blog/central-parks-rustic-architecture.html |title=The Story Behind Central Park's Rustic Architecture|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033339/http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/blog/central-parks-rustic-architecture.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|work=Central Park Conservancy Blog}}</ref> The park contains around 9,500 benches in three styles, of which nearly half have small engraved tablets of some kind, installed as part of Central Park's "Adopt-a-Bench" program. These engravings typically contain short personalized messages and can be installed for at least $10,000 apiece. "Handmade rustic benches" can cost more than half a million dollars and are only granted when the honoree underwrites a major park project.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/4223-central-park-benches-with-stories-to-tell.html |title=4,223 Central Park Benches With Stories to Tell|last=Kleinfield |first=N. R.|date=June 17, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 14, 2019|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423161956/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/4223-central-park-benches-with-stories-to-tell.html |archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/29/central-park-benches/|title=For $10,000 You Can Share Your Story On A Bench In Central Park|date=June 29, 2016 |publisher=WCBS-TV|access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514005925/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/29/central-park-benches/ |archive-date=May 14, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{wide image|NYC Turtlepond.jpg|600px|alt=Panoramic view including Delacorte Theater, Great Lawn and Turtle Pond|[[Delacorte Theater]], [[Great Lawn and Turtle Pond]], from [[Belvedere Castle]]|align-cap=center}}