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The Central Park Conservancy Breaks Ground for New Harlem Meer Center

Posted September 11, 2021 · CPC Press Release

New facility and restored site will create year-round recreational opportunities and re-establish
the historic connection between the Harlem Meer and the North Woods in Central Park

York, broke ground commencing the construction of the Harlem Meer Center on the current
site of Lasker Rink and Pool.
health of the site while expanding access to year-round recreation for the surrounding
community. The project features a larger-than-Olympic-size pool that transforms into a
flexible recreation space in spring and fall and an ice-skating rink in winter. Opening onto the
pool deck, there will be a light-filled pavilion that provides a gathering space and public
amenities for pool, rink, and park patrons—all integrated into the topography of the Park
through a design that blurs the line between landscape and architecture.
repairing and revegetating the landscape, recreating the stream course that historically
flowed into the Meer, and establishing a wetland edge and boardwalk along the shoreline
adjacent to the new facility.
nature, and that has never been more apparent, or needed, than in the last 18 months,” said
Betsy Smith, President & CEO of the Central Park Conservancy. “This project will
reconnect the Harlem community with the entirety of the Park, expanding access to the full
physical and mental benefits greenspaces provide.”
Central Park Conservancy has worked with the City through the worst of the pandemic to
provide New Yorkers with a place to make memories, recharge, and escape,” said NYC
Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today, in true partnership, we celebrate the groundbreaking of the
Conservancy and the City make a statement: everyone deserves beautiful, accessible, quality
spaces—especially the black and brown communities who have too often seen the parks that
serve them neglected,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki
Been. “Thank you to the Central Park Conservancy for engaging the public in such a
thorough community review process and for helping us move towards a more equitable New
York City.”
art facility that honors Olmsted’s original vision for this area, integrating with Central
Park’s landscape and offering community programming throughout the year,” said NYC
Parks Acting Commissioner Margaret Nelson. “We are excited to break ground on such an
outstanding transformation, and we thank the Central Park Conservancy for their partnership
and work overseeing this innovative project.”
community throughout the planning and design process receiving overwhelming support for
the project.
revitalization during these trying times. As a father of two, short visits to the park and walks by
the Meer to search for turtles was the only connection to normalcy during the pandemic,”
said Xavier Santiago, Vice-Chair of Manhattan Community Board 11. “We are thrilled to
see investment in the northern section of the park at the new Harlem Meer Center, which will
be environmentally sustainable, fully accessible, and open year-round to all of us who use this
iconic New York City resource.”
design and planning effort in collaboration with the architectural team of Susan T. Rodriguez
Architecture | Design and Mitchell Giurgola.
project with the Award for Excellence in Design.
northern end of the Park and is the largest project in the organization’s history. Construction
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ABOUT THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages Central
Park and is responsible for raising the Park's annual operating budget. The Conservancy’s staff
of more than 300 is responsible for all aspects of the Park’s stewardship, from day-to-day
maintenance and operations to continued restoration and rebuilding projects. Additionally,
the Conservancy operates the Park’s visitor centers, provides public programs, and serves as a
resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. For more
information, please visit centralparknyc.org

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