Central Park Conservancy plans $3M renewal of pathways, playground near north coast of Harlem Meer
Shoreline to be expanded and pathways rebuilt
The iconic Harlem Meer and the deteriorating playground on its shore are getting a major facelift that will improve the experience for visitors to the northern tip of Central Park.
Beginning in September, the north shoreline of the meandering, man-made lake will be expanded and its steeply sloping pathways rebuilt with new landscaping and a gentler grade to increase access for strollers and wheelchairs.
The old-fashioned, asphalt, Robert Moses-era playground just north of the Meer near 110th St. will be demolished and replaced with a greener, eco-friendly play space that’s integrated seamlessly into the park’s pastoral precincts.
It’s all part of the Central Park Conservancy’s sweeping $3 million reconstruction plan — expected to be completed by June, 2013 — to reinvent the northeast corner of the park, between Fifth and Lenox Aves.
And it’s 100% financed by private donors, not taxpayers.
The Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages the crown jewel and raises cash for its improvement on behalf of the city, says it wants to restore the Meer’s historic character, which was marred by “urbanizing” 20th century construction.
In laymen’s terms, that means more emerald, less concrete — and a playground that isn’t walled off from the forest of majestic oak, beech, gingko and bald cypress trees that surround it.
“This is a unique opportunity to create a playground that doesn’t have rigid, asphalt, schoolyard-like features,” said Chris Nolan, vice president of planning and design for the Conservancy.
“It will be a greener, earthen, more park-like environment that removes the barriers between playground and park.”
The 48-inch-high steel picket fence that now rings the play area will vanish, replaced by a more welcoming, 30-inch stone wall with inset benches and unobstructed views.
Meanwhile, the paths that drop abruptly to a concrete wall at the water’s edge will be realigned so they approach the Meer more gracefully, Nolan said.
Instead of a narrow, 14-foot cement shoreline, there will be a landscaped, 25-foot greenway with better access to the Meer, the Dutch word for “lake,” with its hypnotic views and thriving habitat for fish, turtles and waterfowl.
“At a time of exploding population growth on the north edge of the park, this helps address the needs of the community for additional access and better facilities,” said Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez (D-East Harlem).
dfeiden@nydailynews.com
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