By West Side Rag
A major entrance to Central Park is open once again after a two-year, $16 million restoration project.
The Central Park Conservancy announced last week the reopening of Grand Army Plaza South, which is located at the southeast corner of the park, at the intersection of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.
“Grand Army Plaza is the most prominent entrance to Central Park and an essential part of the Park’s historic fabric. Yet many people do not realize it is part of the Park itself,” said Betsy Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, in a news release. “This restoration honors the original vision for the plaza while repairing and upgrading its materials, infrastructure, and horticulture, all of which will create a better, more elegant space for millions of New Yorkers to enjoy.”
The goal of the restoration was to “carefully balance historic preservation with the needs of a modern public space,” by combining infrastructure and accessibility improvements with “meticulous fountain conservation” and landscape restoration work, according to the Central Park Conservancy.
The plaza is home to the Pulitzer Fountain. Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer gave $50,000 for its creation in the early 20th century. The fountain was dedicated in 1916.
As part of the restoration, the Pulitzer Fountain’s Pomona statue, which stands atop the fountain, was removed and conserved off-site before being returned to the fountain. The project also upgraded the fountain’s mechanical systems and created a larger subterranean vault to improve long-term maintenance access and operations.
In the plaza area, the Conservancy removed interior curbs, improved the pavement in the surrounding area, restored or replaced granite curbs, upgraded the drainage and irrigation infrastructure, and added pedestrian lighting.
A double row of London plane trees were also planted, increasing the tree canopy coverage, and evergreen hedges, lawns, and formal plantings were reconstructed to “reflect the original design intent of the space.”
Central Park’s creators, Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, originally envisioned Grand Army Plaza as the principal entrance to the park.
The $16 million restoration project was primarily funded by private contributions, according to the Conservancy.
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any algae found in the Pulitzer Fountain’s Pomona statue, which stands atop the fountain?
How did they keep the fountains algae free?
no blue paint?
Chlorine salt.
We walked through it on Sunday! I stopped to look at the lovely fountain and flowing water. There are tables and chairs right across from The Plaza Hotel. The renovation looks beautiful! Great Job!
I remember going there when I was a little kid and how heavy those chains were (are).
Now work on Columbus Circle.
Algae free? Probably by not “painting” it blue.
You need to mention that the equestrian statue of William Tecumseh Sherman is by noted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (perhaps most famous for designing the $20 gold coin).
The statue on top of the fountain is by Karl Bitter.
Zelda swam there.
Please focus on the Columbus Circle entry next. It is overwhelmed with pedicabs and
food trucks. Nearly impossible to walk through or to get a view of the beautiful
circle and statue. Thank you !!
That’s an enforcement issue. The circle itself was rebuilt about 20 years ago
https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/united-states-projects/c/columbus-circle-reconstruction
I saw it ysterday and it is beautiful, howver, there is limitted seating. Just a few stone benches without backs. It would be hard to sit around the fountain as the edge is too narrow and the curb surrounding the plaza is to low to sit on. So it deefinitely is not people friendly.
Sycamores, ie. London Plane trees are large trees when fully grown, but they do not provide nearly as much shade as many other trees. They also drop their bark when it gets very hot.