Construction is finishing up on the Davis Center, a $160 million multi-year redevelopment of the Lasker Rink and Pool at the northern end of Central Park. Led by the Central Park Conservancy and Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture & Design in collaboration with Mitchell Giurgola, with EW Howell Construction Group serving as the general contractor, the all-season facility features a new swimming pool that will be converted into a skating rink in the winter and topped with a turf cover for the spring and fall months. Directly adjacent to this is a new pavilion with locker rooms, a concession stand, and a small gallery on the history of the facility, which dates to 1966. The Davis Center occupies a nearly 6-acre plot at the northern end of the park on the edge of Harlem Meer.
A private ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this morning at 10:00AM. The public grand opening will be tomorrow.
Photo by Michael Young.
The Davis Center’s pavilion was built into the topography of the land and features a flowing design that blends with its natural setting. The western elevation facing the pool features a gray stone façade with a set of rotatable glass doors that can swivel 90 degrees, opening up the main hall and its picnic tables to the recreation space. Wood paneling lines the bottom facing of the cantilevering walkway that traverses the top of the pavilion, with black metal beams providing additional support. The overall property measures 280 feet by 120 feet.
Photo by Michael Young.
Green tile and signage for the center cover the wall adjacent to the entrance, and a midcentury minimalist-style clock adorns the stonework at the northern end of the pavilion.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
The locker rooms and bathrooms are located further inside next to a curved hallway.
Photo by Michael Young.
At the time of our visit on Wednesday, crews were still in the process of planting vegetation for the green roof atop the Davis Center pavilion, which features a glass skylight and outdoor seating overlooking the property.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Below is a sectional rendering depicting the general layout of the various indoor and outdoor spaces. This illustration and the rendering in the main photo preview the pavilion topped with large trees.
Rendering courtesy of Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture Design.
Additional workers were also performing landscaping on other sections of the site. This work includes the installation of new trees and young plants, laying grass sod on the gently sloped terrain around Harlem Meer, installation of wire fencing, and new asphalt across the numerous winding paths connecting the Davis Center with the rest of Central Park.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
A temporary dam with a pump is in place to hold back the water from Harlem Meer as work on the new bridge nears completion.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
The following images show the open stream that was revived through a process called “daylighting,” which raises the water level while oxygenating the stream to provide new aquatic habitats and enhance the local biodiversity in conjunction with the reintroduction of native flora around the adjacent Harlem Meer. Workers also installed large rocks on both sides laid with a fabric to prevent soil erosion. The stream used to be fully covered and channeled through an underground pipe.
Photo by Michael Young.
Photo by Michael Young.
Construction on the Davis Center broke ground in September 2021 and will provide free and low-cost community programming and expanded recreational opportunities with increased access to nature. Other features include a spray pad, a boardwalk through freshwater marsh plantings at the edge of the water, year-round access to restrooms and amenities, and improved access across the north end of Central Park along Harlem Meer.
The new larger-than-Olympic-sized public swimming pool will become the eighth-largest pool in New York City, making it one of a handful of City pools that can accommodate 50-meter lap swimming. A children’s splash zone will sit directly next to the pool. Pets are not allowed inside the pool and pool area during operation, but are allowed on the green roof and the rest of the surrounding space.
The city contributed $60 million toward the $160 million cost of the renovation. The Conservancy raised $100 million in private support and led the project’s design and construction.
The nearest subways from the facility are the 2 and 3 trains at the Central Park North station at the corner of Central Park North and Malcolm X Boulevard to the north.
A free day-long community celebration on the pool’s turf cover will begin at 12:00pm on Saturday, April 26. The free event will feature activations from local community-based organizations, food and drink, live performances, and hourly tours of the new venue. The operating durations of the pool, turf field, and rink have yet to be announced.
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![Existing aerial view of the Harlem Meer with Lasker Skating Rink and Swimming Pool [right] - Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture Design](https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Aerial_Site_View_Harlem_Meer01-180x101.jpg)
Beautiful! The skylight/floating canopy is very well done, not easy to get a concept like that pushed through to reality, absolutely stunning!! Bravo.
I cant believe people thought it was a good idea to over that stream and build that (former) concrete monstrosity in the middle of a park. Glad this design revived the natural landscape and built something that blends into the topography
Great stuff!..not to be picky, and I know it’s not summer yet, but can we see a photo or rendering of the actual ‘pool’?
Just beautiful. Central Park may be Manhattan’s greatest asset.
Looks very pleasant.
Congratulations, NYC, Central Park Conservancy, and New Yorkers!
This is a stunning accomplishment. I love its beauty, boldness and fit with the natural surrounding. I am so happy for all the Harlem neighbors who will be able to enjoy a world-class recreation and relaxation amenity.
As a former consultant to the Conservancy, I have come to know how competent and dedicated the Conservancy’s professionals are. They are one of the City’s treasured assets. I want to give a shoutout to the project manager, Chris Nolan, who for years was the Conservancy’s Chief Landscape Architect. Much of the Park’s current landscape and horticultural beauty is due to Chris. And Chris masterfully led the Davis Center project from its inception to its opening. I am very proud of my friend!
I hope to visit the Center soon. Meanwhile, enjoy it everybody!
It looks beautiful. One can only hope that the restrooms and other gathering areas are maintained and that people who use the pool are disciplined if they don’t treat the new center with respect.
Hope there are lots of lights, cameras, and security.
Great photos!
Wonderful, a sight to behold.. It’s got its problems but (personally) I’m damn proud of this city for getting this project done, Good news.
This will be such an improvement to this part of central park and benefit Harlem 🙌
I assume that the “turf cover” over the pool (and the ice rink also over the pool?) can withstand the weight of hundreds (?) of people. Every article talks about it becoming an ice rink in the Winter, a lawn in Spring and Fall, and a swimming pool in the Summer. How? is there a button someone pushes to slide away the lawn, or is it a big construction project at every transition. Am I the only person who is curious about this?
While the building that houses the tables, the locker rooms and the concession booth is beautifully designed and the landscaping stunning, why, oh why, build a pool that is about 1/3 the size of the original pool?! Why make it a small oval pool – so that only a very few people will be able to swim, or learn to swim? How will most of the neighborhood folks enjoy this tiny pool??
So unfair – especially when too few low income kids and kids of color, learn how to swim in this neighborhood.
This is so overdramatized and in no way a display of discrimination towards Harlem in any sense. I doubt every single kid in the neighborhood will be using the pool all at the same time.
And what do you mean by “very few?” The way you said it gives an impression of only 10 kids or less, which is far from the truth by any means whatsoever.
This IS a nice construction project for all socioeconomic backgrounds.
This says “The new larger-than-Olympic-sized public swimming pool will become the eighth-largest pool in New York City, making it one of a handful of City pools that can accommodate 50-meter lap swimming. A children’s splash zone will sit directly next to the pool.”
Sounds like plenty of pool to me, plus the splash pad that kids love.
Number #4 bus to the door of Davis Center..Across 110th st at 5th Avenue
opposite The African Center and Teranga restaurant Itsteranga.com
Volunteer Skate Guards same as Life Guard who save you when you can’t swim and ice rink can help you when you can’t skate..and be careful when you do.
Volunteer Ice Guards for helping those who fall or twist a ankle or bump and dump another by accident..
All of the above will happen so prepare for it.
I’m going to bring some champion ice skater to come too