YOUR MONTHLY MILE | January There are endless paths to travel in , and even lifelong New Yorkers can discover something new in its 843 acres. Check out this month’s featured landmarks to learn more about their history and about the ’s mission to restore, manage, and enhance Central Park.

1 2 Turtle Pond

1 Turtle Pond 2 E 79 Turtle Pond is home to a few “Belvedere” is Italian for “beautiful species of turtles that live there view,” and the view from this Norman year-round. If you’ve ever visited Gothic castle atop Vista Rock is in the summer, you’ve almost certainly beautiful in any season. certainly seen a red-eared slider Originally intended as a whimsical (the Pond’s most common species lookout from the highest point in 3 of turtle) sunbathing on a log or the southern area of the Park, the 4 rock. But where do they go when Castle became an instrument station the banks of Vista Rock become for the National Weather Service in too cool for comfort? Answer: 1919, perfect for its lack of wind 5TH AVENUE 5TH Until the weather warms up, the interference. In 1983, after decades Conservatory turtles hibernate by burrowing into of deterioration, the Conservancy The Lake Water 5 the mud at the bottom of the Pond. renovated and reopened the castle as a visitor center and gift shop.

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3 Alice in Wonderland 4 Conservatory Water 5 Pilgrim Hill When the Park’s wintry landscapes From spring to autumn, children Before you head to the last stop on look as quaint as a storybook, it’s and boat enthusiasts come to our mile, be sure to grab your sled! a perfect time to visit Alice and her navigate wind-powered vessels Named for the bronze statue that friends for a tea party. The beloved across the shimmering ornamental crowns its crest, Pilgrim Hill is one characters of ’s Conservatory Water. In winter of the best sledding destinations in classic come to life in this bronze months, the water level is lowered, Central Park. When there’s at least statue that has called the Park and if the ice is consistently at least six inches of snow cover on the home since 1959. Commissioned six inches thick and conditions ground, the hill opens for a winter by George Delacorte as a gift to allow, then it opens for free public party perfect for families. The hill’s the children of , ice skating. In 1993, the Central slope will delight kids of all ages! visitors are invited to climb atop the Park Conservancy refurbished statue and explore its varied hiding the terrace of Kerbs Boathouse, places. incorporating the benches and planting beds you see today.

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