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By John Moore, on September 3rd, 2010
Just a few feet from the softball players and sunbathers on the Great Lawn is one of Central Park’s most remarkable features. Summit Rock, on the western edge of Central Park at 83rd St., is the highest natural elevation in the park. Peaking at 137.5, it stands just a few feet above Vista Rock, home of Belvedere Castle. Shielded from the park drive by a thick grove of trees, it is sometimes overlooked by park visitors. It is just north of the site once occupied by the 19th century community of Seneca Village and legend has it that it was traditionally used by the local Native Americans as a meeting place that possessed intrinsic mystical significance.
It can be approached from either the north or south sides, however the path on the southside, just north of Diana Ross playground, is definitely more dramatic. It starts as a gently sloping trail that leads to a stone stairway, cut into the side of the hill. At the top there is a small meadow, while on the eastern side there is a flag stone terrace. On the western side, if you peak through the trees directly up 83rd St., you can see New Jersey. Just in case you were worried it had gone somewhere!
In 1921 an equestrian statue of South American statesman Simon Bolivar was erected on the site and the Bolivar Apartments still stand just across the street. In 1951 it was moved to a less exclusive site at 6th Ave. and Central Park South. It is certainly true that more visitors can view the statue there, but it must have been quite impressive to climb up the side of Summit Rock in mid-summer, winding your way through the thick foliage, only to come upon Senor Bolivar sitting proudly astride his steed.
Summit Rock remains a great place to sun bathe quietly, read or momentarily get away from the city below.
Location : Central Park West and 83rd St.
By John Moore, on August 24th, 2010
 Central Park Film Festival 2010 The 2010 Central Park Movie Festival concludes tonight with Manhattan, which was chosen by the Viewer’s Choice Poll conducted each year. It was a great lineup, except that Serendipity, with its beautiful shots of Wollman Rink in winter, should not have had to face off with the Woody Allen classic as viewer’s choice. Not while The Taking Of Pelham 123, the turgid potboiler of a remake, is the disappointing Tuesday night offering.
Anyway – The eighth annual festival will be held for the first time in the landscape north of Sheep Meadow, behind Mineral Springs (mid-Park at 69th Street). Enter the Park at 72nd Street.
All screenings begin at 8:00 pm, rain or shine. Gates open to the public at 6:30 pm. Bring a picnic!
Tuesday, August 24: Fame
Wednesday, August 25: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Thursday, August 26: Saturday Night Fever
Friday, August 27: King Kong
Saturday, August 28: Manhattan
By John Moore, on August 22nd, 2010
 Central Park Papers Historians have long wondered whether Central Park was originally conceived the way it looks today. Were the ornate colorful tiles underneath the Bethesda Terrace a vision of the original designers? What about the elegant black lamps that dot the park?
Now historians might finally have some clues about the park’s design.
Illustrations for features of Central Park and other public places in New York have resurfaced, and the city has gone to court to get them back. Real estate broker Sam Buckley said his father found the drawings, by Jacob Wrey Mould, in a Manhattan trash bin sometime before 1960, according to court documents.
Though Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted designed Central Park, Mould assisted with several noteworthy landmarks of the public space, such as Bethesda Terrace and Belvedere Castle.
The 127 drawings, which date from 1860 to 1885, are stamped “Department of Public Parks.” The city claims it never authorized the destruction or abandonment of the drawings and believes they were “lost or erroneously discarded.”
The city learned about the drawings after Buckley placed 86 of them for sale with Christie’s auction house. He kept the remaining 41. The city asked the court to award $1 million in damages or compel Buckley to hand over the illustrations.
Christie’s and Buckley have agreed not to sell the works while the settlement talks play out. The auction house declined to comment, and Buckley could not be reached.
The 86 drawings being held at Christie’s include illustrations for a wide variety of items and venues — a drinking fountain for horses, lamps, clocks, approaches to the American Museum of Natural History and music pavilions for various city parks, including Washington Square and Tompkins Square. All were prepared by Mould, or under his direction, the city says.
Mould, born in Britain, was known for importing the flair of British Victorian architecture to his U.S. work. He moved to New York in 1853, and also designed several churches in the area. He was the park department’s chief architect for three years.
By John Moore, on August 17th, 2010
 Central Park Paws Join in during off-leash hours for coffee, pastries and bagels (of course) all courtesy of Central Park Conservancy’s Central Park PAWS. Come meet this vibrant neighborhood dog community.
The Bagel Bark travels each month to a different dog friendly area of Central Park. This week they’re at the Statue of Balto
Date: Saturday, August 21, 2010
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
By John Moore, on August 15th, 2010
 Capeman The Public Theater reports that they got everyone in from the standby line last night – so, if you want to see Paul Simon’s musical live at the Delacorte stop by!
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