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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 6 Family Programs in Central Park 7 Member Programs 4 Public Programs 8 Central Park Map and Events 2 HOW TO ENJOY SUMMER IN CENTRAL PARK CENTRAL PARK NORTH (110TH ST) Take advantage of the Park’s lush green lawns, dozens of ballfields and courts, and more 3 than 50 miles of paths! There are tons of ways to enjoy the Park this summer — including Harlem these exciting new attractions and activities. Meer 4 W 106 E 106 The Pool W 100 5 6 | 7 W 97 E 97 8 N E W S 2 Reservoir FIFTH AVENUE CENTRAL PARK WEST PARK CENTRAL W 86 6 E 85 NEW THIS SUMMER 1. See the Park from the newly restored Belvedere. The Belvedere, whose name 5 means “beautiful view,” has been a favorite lookout since it was first constructed in the W 81 1870s. It reopens to the public in late June after more than a year of restoration. Take in the Turtle sights of Central Park better than ever thanks to the Castle’s new crystal-clear windows — Pond 1 E 79 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 Conservatory The Water 2. Find adventure at a newly renovated playground. Safari Playground and Billy Lake 9 Johnson Playground now offer lots of new play features that are sure to delight kids of W 72 E 72 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. 2 LOCATIONS: Billy Johnson Playground: East Side at 67th Street; Safari Playground: W 66 E 66 West Side at 91st Street 5 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. The Come with a group and enjoy a sunny day in the Park. One game per group on a first-come, Pond first-served basis. CENTRAL PARK SOUTH (59TH ST) LOCATION: Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY SUMMER GUIDE 2019 3 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 CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY SUMMER GUIDE 2019 4 PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Official Central Park Tours Get 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. 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 | FREE Learn 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) CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY SUMMER GUIDE 2019 5 PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS continued Join us for these free, outdoor concerts happening throughout the season — and don’t forget your dancing shoes! Central Park Conservancy Film Festival | FREE The 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. 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 Tuesday, August 13 Fifth and Lenox Avenues) 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 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.