Enjoy some summer fun with live music, sports, and family-friendly adventures in Central Park. Looking to lounge? Find a quiet spot on a lush lawn and enjoy the Park’s busiest months. No matter your style, there’s something for everyone in the Park this summer.

The mission of the Central Park Conservancy is to restore, manage, and enhance Central Park in partnership with the public. IN THIS GUIDE

2 How to Enjoy Summer in Central Park

4 Public Programs and Events

6 Family Programs

7 Member Programs

8 Central Park Map

CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY SUMMER GUIDE 2019

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Take advantage of the Park’s lush green lawns, dozens of ballfields and courts, and more than 50 miles of paths! There are tons of ways to enjoy the Park this summer — including these exciting new attractions and activities.

NEW THIS SUMMER1. See the Park from the newly restored Belvedere. The Belvedere, whose name means “beautiful view,” has been a favorite lookout since it was first constructed in the 1870s. It reopens to the public in late June after more than a year of restoration. Take in the sights of Central Park better than ever thanks to the Castle’s new crystal-clear windows — upgraded to remove old bars and shutters that blocked sweeping views. Taking an evening stroll? You’ll appreciate the new lights that illuminate the Belvedere’s exterior, making it look more majestic than ever. LOCATION: Mid-Park at 79th Street

2. Find adventure at a newly renovated playground. Safari Playground and Billy Johnson Playground now offer lots of new play features that are sure to delight kids of all ages. Climb up nets like an explorer at Billy Johnson Playground, or ride a hippo in a watering hole at Safari Playground — your imagination is the limit! Both playgrounds are also more accessible, with ADA-compliant entrances and some accessible play features. A new transfer ramp at Safari Playground allows children in wheelchairs to climb into a play canoe and join the adventure. LOCATIONS: Billy Johnson Playground: East Side at 67th Street; Safari Playground: West Side at 91st Street

3. Borrow lawn games with some friends. Want a casual way to be active while enjoying the lush greens of Central Park? Lawn games like bocce ball, horseshoe, and kubb are now available to borrow (for free) from the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. Come with a group and enjoy a sunny day in the Park. One game per group on a first-come, first-served basis. LOCATION: Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues

HOW TO ENJOY SUMMER IN CENTRAL PARK

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HOW TO ENJOY SUMMER IN CENTRAL PARK Continued

MORE WAYS TO GET ACTIVE 4. Take a dip at Lasker Pool. Operated by NYC Parks, Lasker Pool is an Olympic-sized pool that is open daily during the summer. This year’s season begins June 27. Free sunscreen is also available. To secure your belongings, please bring a combination lock. Visit the NYC Parks website for more details. LOCATION: Mid-Park between 106th and 108th Streets

5. Organize a softball or baseball game. Central Park is home to 26 ballfields. Heckscher Ballfields, the Great Lawn, and the North Meadow are home to softball games each summer (the North Meadow is the only field also open to baseball). Don’t forget: use of any athletic field requires a permit from NYC Parks. LOCATIONS: North Meadow: Mid-Park from 97th to 102nd Street; Great Lawn: Mid-Park from 79th to 85th Street; Heckscher Ballfields: West Side from 63rd to 65th Street

6. Shoot hoops or play handball. Basketball and handball courts are located at the North Meadow Recreation Center, with additional basketball courts northeast of the Great Lawn. Balls are free to borrow at the Recreation Center. No permit is required, and courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. LOCATION: North Meadow Recreation Center: Mid-Park at 97th Street; Great Lawn: Mid-Park at 85th Street

7. Create your own adventure with a field day kit. Borrow a kit with a wiffle ball and bat, footballs, a soccer ball, a Frisbee, jump ropes, cones, and a playground ball for free at the North Meadow Recreation Center — then just find some open space at the North Meadow or the nearby East Meadow to play. LOCATION: Mid-Park at 97th Street

8. Play a round of tennis. The Central Park Tennis Center offers 30 courts; private and semi-private lessons are available for players of all ages and levels. LOCATION: West Side between 94th and 96th Streets

9. Row, row, row your boat. Renting a boat on the Lake is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon in the Park. Boats can be rented at the Loeb Boathouse daily from April through October, weather permitting. Prefer if someone else does the work? Venetian gondola tours are also available. Visit the Loeb Boathouse website for more details. LOCATION: East Side between 74th and 75th Streets

10. Explore by bike. There are many routes for bicyclists (see our official bicycling map) and you can rent bikes through BikeRent NYC, which operates at the southwest and southeast corners of the Park on a seasonal basis. Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit our bicycling page for more details. LOCATION: Throughout the Park

11. Get your steps in. The Park’s various loops and trails are perfect for your run or walk. There’s the world-famous Reservoir running track, which offers some of the best views of New York City. There’s the loop — totaling just over 6 miles — and the bridle path, which offers a soft, dirt surface throughout the Park. Before hitting the pavement, be sure to download our official running map. LOCATION: Throughout the Park

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Official Central Park ToursGet an insider’s perspective on the history, design, and landscapes of Central Park on an official tour. Our exciting new offerings for the summer are below. Times and dates vary. Visit centralparknyc.org/tours to see our full schedule and to purchase tickets.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

GREAT LAWN TREE WALK | TICKETS: $15 (MEMBERS $10)

Explore Central Park’s iconic Great Lawn, which was once a reservoir that served the City. Discover the history of the area and the flora that surrounds the famous pastoral landscape. You’ll learn about how the Conservancy cares for more than 170 species of trees in Central Park, and get tips on identifying differences between a coniferous and broadleaf tree, or an evergreen and deciduous tree.

EAST MEADOW TREE WALK | TICKETS: $15 (MEMBERS $10)

Stroll through the idyllic East Meadow, appreciating some of the most beautiful beech trees in Central Park, and others that give the area its character. You’ll learn the difference between some native and non-native trees, and get tips to identify the most common tree in the Park. You’ll also enjoy the beauty of the crabapple allées in Conservatory Garden. Relax and recharge in the lush landscape.

BELVEDERE: THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW TOUR | TICKETS: $15 (MEMBERS $10)

Enjoy the sweeping vistas of the Great Lawn from the newly restored Belvedere Castle while learning about its history and preservation. Plus, explore the surrounding landscapes and landmarks, including Turtle Pond, King Jagiello, and the 3,500-year-old “Cleopatra’s Needle.”

Chess Lecture and Simul Series | FREELearn techniques from some of the best names in chess, and then put your new skills to the test with fellow players at our special Chess Lecture and Simul Series. Ages 6+; prior experience required. Attendees must be present for the entire program to play. Registration begins at 10:00 am. Visit centralparknyc.org/chesslecture for more details.

Saturdays, July 20 & August 24 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Chess & Checkers House (Mid-Park at 64th Street)

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PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS continued

HARLEM MEER PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL | FREE

This annual festival brings the best local talent to Central Park! Enjoy a variety of performances featuring multicultural music and dance, family-friendly entertainment, and more while admiring the lakeside views. All ages are welcome. Visit centralparknyc.org/hmpf for details.

Sundays, June 16 – September 1 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues)

GREAT JAZZ ON THE GREAT HILL | FREE

Bring a blanket, picnic food, and dancing shoes for this fun event! Co-presented with Jazzmobile, Great Jazz on the Great Hill features live music and swing dancing in a beautiful setting. Visit our website at centralparknyc.org/greatjazz for more details.

Saturday, August 10 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Great Hill (Enter at West 106th Street)

Join us for these free, outdoor concerts happening throughout the season — and don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival | FREEThe Central Park Conservancy Film Festival is a beloved summer tradition that showcases great films in a great urban park. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the magic of the movies under the stars.

Visit centralparknyc.org/filmfestival for details.

Tuesday, August 13 Back to the Future (1985) PG

Wednesday, August 14 Moonstruck (1987) PG

Thursday, August 15: Black Panther (2018) PG-13

Landscape between Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street Cross Drive Gates open at 6:30 pm, movies start at dusk

The Central Park Conservancy Film Festival is presented by

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FAMILY PROGRAMS

Discovery KitsBorrow a Discovery Kit for a Central Park adventure! Discovery Kit backpacks are filled with kid-friendly binoculars, field guides, a hand lens, colored pencils, and sketch paper. Best for ages 6 to 10. Discovery Kits are available at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center and Chess & Checkers House.

Visit centralparknyc.org/discoverykits for more information.

Discovery JournalsDiscovery Journals, best for ages 6 to 10, help kids investigate the connections between the design, plants, wildlife, and people in the Park using trivia, puzzles, writing prompts, and more. Journals are available for the Mall and Bethesda Terrace, the North Woods, Conservatory Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and other popular areas of the Park.

Download your own at centralparknyc.org/discoveryjournals, or get them at any visitor center.

Discovery Walks for Families | FREEBring your family for a guided walk and discover why Central Park is a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans alike. You’ll enjoy hands-on exploration using Discovery Kits — rugged backpacks filled with kid-friendly binoculars, field guides, and hand lenses.

Discovery Walks are offered on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer at the following Park landscapes.

DISCOVERY WALKS FOR FAMILIES: CONSERVATORY GARDEN

Join us on a kid-friendly guided walk through thousands of blooms in Central Park’s Conservatory Garden. Discover the difference between the various flowers and landscapes and learn about the Garden’s history and design through hands-on exploration and guided activities.

DISCOVERY WALKS FOR FAMILIES: HARLEM MEER

The rocky landscape surrounding the Harlem Meer has a storied history. Join our guides to learn more about how the area has changed over time, the plants and animals that live there today, and how the Conservancy cares for this complex ecosystem.

DISCOVERY WALKS FOR FAMILIES: THE NORTH WOODS

The North Woods is the largest of the Park’s woodlands, offering a 40-acre forest retreat in the middle of New York City. Learn about the design of this serene landscape and how the plants and trees contribute to the health of an urban woodland community.

Visit centralparknyc.org/discoverywalks to see our full schedule and to register.

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MEMBER PROGRAMSShow your support for Central Park with a Conservancy membership. Our members help keep Central Park beautiful throughout the summer season. Benefits include reduced ticket prices, discounts in Central Park, and access to exclusive members-only events and programs, including the ones below. Times and dates vary. Visit centralparknyc.org/mp to register and view our full schedule of member programs.

DRAWING CLASS WITH JESSICA DARYL WINER |

FREE FOR MEMBERS

Saturday, July 20 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Members will learn how to capture the beauty of the Park on paper in this drawing class, led by Centennial Trees of Central Park artist, Jessica Daryl Winer, at the Dene landscape. Attendees should bring a large sketchpad and pencil. No drawing experience is necessary.

WOODLAND WALK | FREE FOR MEMBERS

Sunday, August 11 | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Explore the North Woods, the Park’s largest woodland, which offers people and wildlife an oasis of nature in the middle of New York City.

HOUND HIKE | FREE FOR MEMBERS

Sunday, September 8 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Take one of our signature tours with your favorite furry family member. Our Conservancy guides give you an insider’s look at some of the most iconic features of the world’s greatest urban park.

VISITOR CENTERSCentral Park contains five visitor centers —

find the one nearest to you.

Charles A. Dana Discovery CenterInside Central Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues

Belvedere CastleMid-Park at 79th Street

Dairy Visitor Center & Gift ShopMid-Park between 64th and 65th Streets

Chess & Checkers HouseMid-Park at 64th Street

Columbus Circle Information KioskWest 59th Street at Central Park West

Charles A. Dana Discovery Center

Not a member? Visit centralparknyc.org/membership to join today.

@centralparknyc

CENTRAL PARK MAPHoursCentral Park opens at 6:00 am and closes at 1:00 am, 365 days a year.

Visitor Centers and Facilities Start your trip at a visitor center.

Look for this icon on the map.

Charles A. Dana Discovery Center 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues

Belvedere Castle Mid-Park at 79th Street

Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop Mid-Park at 65th Street

Chess & Checkers House Mid-Park at 64th Street

Columbus Circle Information Kiosk Central Park West at 59th Street

Park Drive (shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles)

Transverse Road (vehicles only)

Pedestrian Path (pedestrians only)

Bridle Path (no bicyclists)

Emergency Call Box or Dial 911

Visitor Center

Playground

Information Kiosk

Food / Closed in Winter

Restrooms / Closed in Winter

Wheelchair Accessible

Map Key

Points of Interest

W WEST

W 103 The Ravine / The Loch

W 101 The Pool

W 79 Shakespeare Garden

W 74 Bow Bridge

W 72 Strawberry Fields /

Imagine Mosaic

W 72 Cherry Hill

E EAST

E 107 Harlem Meer

E 105 Conservatory Garden

Open year-round, 8:00 am to dusk.

E 90 Reservoir

From 86th to 96th Street

E 81 Obelisk (Cleopatra’s Needle)

E 75 Alice in Wonderland

E 74 Conservatory Water

E 72 Bethesda Terrace /

Bethesda Fountain

E 68 The Mall (Literary Walk)

From 66th to 72nd Street

E 67 Balto

E 62 Gapstow Bridge