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Central Park's north end now has a brand new rec center and pool
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 26, 2025
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Central Park Conservancy
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 26, 2025
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A historically neglected area of Central Park now has a new recreation center complete with a massive public swimming pool that can become an ice rink or a public green, depending on the season.
The $160 million Davis Center represents the largest investment in the north end of Central Park in decades. It replaces the Lasker Rink and Pool, which was constructed in the 1960s and closed in 2021. The Davis Center’s opening to the public on Saturday comes as local elected officials continue to advocate for more public park access for New York City residents.
“The historic Harlem Meer is one of Central Park’s greatest gems, so I’m thrilled that the new Davis Center’s programming and facilities will offer endless ways for visitors to connect with the Meer,” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said in a statement. “Between fitness activities, cultural events, and youth programs, the Davis Center has something for everyone, and I’m particularly thrilled that the center was designed with opportunities for the neighboring communities in mind.”
The new facility broke ground in 2021. It features a swimming pool that’ll transform into an ice skating rink during the winter months and a green space, known as the Harlem Oval, during the spring and fall. The site also features a boardwalk and a pavilion.
Officials said the space will be used as a public space year-round and will offer a range of activities, including swimming lessons, yoga and hockey.
“So today we are fulfilling Olmsted and Vaux's original vision for a great democratic space in a bold new way,” Central Park Conservancy President Betsy Smith said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, referencing the park’s original designers. “A pool, a rink, a green: The Davis Center is the embodiment of an expanded sense of space for all."
The northern edge of the park was also the scene of a high-profile 1989 assault and rape that led to the arrest and wrongful conviction of five teenagers. They were cleared of wrongdoing in 2002 and are now known as the Exonerated Five.
City Councilmember Yusef Salaam of Harlem, a member of the Exonerated Five, reflected on the center’s significance at Friday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The unveiling of the Davis Center isn’t just about a pool, a rink or a stunning architectural accomplishment,” he said. “It’s a homecoming for me, it’s a healing for me, it’s a restoration for our community.”
In a statement, Salaam went on to say that the Center will “strengthen Harlem’s spirit and bring us together through diverse, accessible programming.”
Tagged
new york city
manhattan
parks
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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