Here Are The 4 Areas Central Park Is Improving This Fall

CENTRAL PARK, NY — There are few more iconic New York City destinations than Central Park, and the park's Conservancy staff recently provided an update about which areas of the park they are looking to improve this fall.

From the Belvedere Castle to the Strawberry Fields to the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace to the Reservoir — Central Park is full of famous locations — but the Conservancy will focus on four spots to improve within the park this fall.

• The Dairy (near East 65th Street)
• Robert Bendheim Playground (near 5th Avenue and East 100th Street)
• Naumburg Bandshell (Near West 72nd Street)
• Conservatory Garden (Near East 105th Street)

Here are the details for each of the four locations within Central Park.

The Dairy

The Dairy houses a visitor center and gift shop within the park and it is part of the park's Children's District, which also is home to Playmates Arch, Heckscher Playground and Ballfields, Chess & Checkers House, and the Carousel.

The original Dairy cottage was built between 1869 and 1871 for families rest within during walks. It was torn down in the 1950s and turned into a maintenance shed before becoming a visitor center in 1979.

The latest restoration of the Dairy will replace the roof, add new windows and doors, including an accessible entrance door. It will also add a new accessible staff bathroom within the building.

Robert Bendheim Playground

The Central Park Conservancy is focusing on safety this fall in its work with the playground near the East Meadow. The Bendheim Playground last got reconstructed in 1997, and the latest renovation will make sure the play space is up to current guidelines.

The work will include repaving the playground, and replacing the play structures, playground gate, and drinking fountain. Staff members will also refurbish the sandbox and add new landscape plantings.

Naumburg Bandshell

The Naumburg Bandshell is a longstanding part of Central Park's popular Concert Ground area, and the Conservancy is looking to do a major repair over the fall.

Repair work will restore lost architectural features, repair the concrete and limestone masonry, and help solidify the structure for years to come.

Conservatory Garden

The Conservatory Garden is one of the more popular areas of the park, but it hasn't gotten a significant restoration since 1983. This fall, the Conservancy will focus on improving the garden's pavement, retaining walls, and stairs.

Additionally, the restoration project will ensure that the garden meets current code requirements.

Central Park Conservancy's update about the restoration projects does not mention any of the areas closing down due to the construction work.

You can find out more about the restoration projects happening this fall on the Central Park website.