Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Bethesda Fountain Is Now For Quiet Drinking, Not Music
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 5, 2011
Modified Jun 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 5, 2011
Modified Jun 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Musicians in Central Park are making noise over the decision to turn the Bethesda Fountain arcade into a "Quiet Zone," a decision which has led to a blitz of tickets that the musicians say is for the sole benefit of a food concession coming to the area soon. But chef John Fraser, who will be running the concession (and who has his own legal issues to worry about these days), says you shouldn't blame him.
"It's all in the Parks' hands," Fraser, who will soon be operating a 75-table concession by the beautifully restored arcade, told the Post.
The Parks Department meanwhile says the decision to send musicians packing—sometimes in cuffs—is by popular demand. "Crowds of 700 regularly overwhelmed the terrace, completely blocked the stairs, and those trying to pass climbed on and damaged sandstone carvings on the side," a rep wrote in an e-mail. "The musicians have approximately 850 acres to use. All eight quiet zones amount to less than 33 acres. The public wants quiet zones and have repeatedly requested quiet places for passive enjoyment of the park."
Whether or not people want quiet in the park—which is their right to want—making one of the most visible and famous attractions in the park off-limits to musicians, especially an area with such lovely acoustics, seems misguided. As Geoffrey Croft of New York City Park Advocates argues, "It's absurd that the city is trying to take away what is enjoyment by so many for a watering hole for the wealthy."
Tagged
angry musicians
bethesda fountain
central park
john fraser
manhattan
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .