Whether you have a radio powered sailboat, or a wind-powered sloop, model sail boating on Central Park’s Conservatory Water is a delight for participants and observers; whether adults, children or, in one case, a rather notable rodent. And now model boats are being rented on the pond for the first time since 2019, the last full year before the coronavirus hit. The new concessionaire is Rocking the Boat, a nonprofit from the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. The organization also teaches teenagers how to build and pilot full-size boats on Long Island Sound. They will renting sailboats on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. In June they will add Thursdays and Saturdays to the schedule, and in July, the operation will expand to five days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday. The rentals are separate from races organized by the Central Park Model Yacht Club on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The area around the pond is home of some of the park’s loveliest foliage. These include Lebanon Cedars, willows, pine and beech trees. It also features the park’s largest display of spring blossoming Cherry Trees, besides the stands on either side of the reservoir. The surrounding benches are the perfect place for either a brief respite from your park site-seeing tour or a more contemplative visit, relaxing while you watch the tiny white sails tacking against the breeze. If you actually hear tiny voices shouting out the commands Lenox Hill Hospital is only a few blocks away.
Nearby you can also find two of the Park’s most popular statues, especially with children. At the northern end is the sculpture of Alice, of Wonderland fame, with all her favorite tea party playmates, and at the western edge a statue of master story teller Hans Christian Andersen.
Nell Singer Lilac Walk
Conservatory Garden
Conservatory Garden
Kwanzan Cherry - West Side of the Reservoir
West Side Reservoir – Kwanzan Cherry
Azalea Walk
Azalea Walk
Shakespeare Garden
Shakespeare Garden
The Pond
Gapstow Bridge – The Pond
Conservatory Water
Conservatory Water
Wisteria Pergola
Wisteria Pergola
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields
The East Side of the Reservoir - Yoshino Cherry
The East Side of the Reservoir – Yoshino Cherry
About Central Park
Find all the information you need to enjoy your visit to New York City’s iconic Central Park.
Attractions
Central Park features 843 acres filled with classic architecture, gorgeous statuary and up to date sports, educational and performance facilities. Besides all of this there is the world famous Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center and the Children’s Zoo.
Things To Do
From The Philharmonic on the Great Lawn to Shakespeare in the Park to SummerStage, Central Park offers an endless array of things to do, see, hear – and, with two full service restaurants and several cafes, taste. You can visit The Shakespeare Garden, take in a performance at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, take a ride on the Carousel – or just sit and people watch at Bethesda Terrace!
Contact Us
Contact Info
5th Ave.
New York, NY, 10028