North Woods and North Meadow#The Pool and Loch

North Woods and North Meadow, located between 97th and 110th Streets in Central Park, were among the last parts of the park to be built.{{rp|37}} While construction on the southern part of the park started in 1857,{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4277documents_manhattan_central_park_1857-58.pdf|title=1858 Central Park Commissioners Annual Report|date=1858|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017}}{{rp|PDF pp. 31–35}}{{Cite Central Park History}}{{rp|161–162}} the northernmost four blocks between 106th and 110th Streets were not even purchased until 1859.{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4053annual_report_manhattan_central_park_1859.pdf|title=1859 Central Park Commissioners Annual Report|date=1859|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017}}{{rp|23 (PDF p. 25)}}{{cite book|title=Central Park, 1857-1995: The Birth, Decline, and Renewal of a National Treasure|last=Kinkead|first=Eugene|publisher=Norton|year=1990|isbn=0-393-02531-4|location=New York|url=https://archive.org/details/centralpark1857100kink}}{{rp|32–33}} At the time, the northwestern corner of the park was a rocky forest, while the northeastern corner (now the Harlem Meer) was a swamp.{{Rp|196}}

The Pool and Loch in the North Woods were proposed by Central Park commissioner Robert J. Dillon, who included it as one of seventeen amendments to the Greensward Plan, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux's original design for Central Park.{{cite book|title=Central Park : an American masterpiece|last=Miller|first=Sara|publisher=Harry N. Abrams Publishers in association with the Central Park Conservancy|year=2003|isbn=978-0-8109-3946-2|publication-place=New York|oclc=50773395|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/centralparkameri0000mill}}{{Rp|134. 137}} Work had started on the northern section of the park by 1864, but was complicated by a need to preserve the historic McGowan's Pass on the northeastern corner of the park.{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4060annual_report_manhattan_central_park_1864.pdf|title=1864 Central Park Commissioners Annual Report|date=1864|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017}}{{rp|7–8 (PDF pp. 9–10)}} The topography in the northern section of Central Park was not altered as much as that in the southern section of the park: workers created drives and paths, as well as the Pool, Loch, and Harlem Meer, but did not modify much of the landscape.{{Rp|196}} North Woods and North Meadow were completed by the late 1860s.{{Rp|78}}

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In 1870–1871, the Tammany Hall political machine, which was the largest political force in New York at the time, took control of Central Park for a brief period.{{rp|77}}{{rp|263}} They proposed building a zoo at the site of the current North Woods, but the proposal was not implemented.{{Rp|78}} Olmsted and Vaux also proposed an observation tower atop Great Hill, though this was never completed, either.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/great-hill.html|title=Great Hill|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 25, 2019}}

For the first few decades of Central Park's existence, it was forbidden to play most sports in Central Park, because Olmsted and Vaux believed that the park should be used for scenic enjoyment rather than recreation.{{Rp|251}} However, because of growing recreational pressures, the Central Park commission opened North Meadow to sports by the late 19th century.{{Rp|312}} The first recorded cricket matches were played in North Meadow by 1885,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1885/09/06/archives/cricket-in-central-park-the-first-match-ever-played-on-the-north.html|title=Cricket in Central Park.; the First Match Ever Played on the North Meadow.|date=September 6, 1885|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} and immigrant families began hosting picnics in North Meadow by the 1920s.{{Rp|404}} In addition, there was a proposal to move the Central Park Zoo to the North Meadow in the 1890s, though this was controversial and largely opposed.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30935850/|title=Where Will the Animals Go?|date=June 29, 1890|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 30, 2019|page=1|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}} In 1902, the Interborough Rapid Transit Company excavated a subway tunnel at a deep level underneath the Great Hill, North Woods and North Meadow, as part of its Lenox Avenue Line (present-day {{NYCS trains|Lenox}}).{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/02/09/archives/a-subway-mining-feat-opposite-tunnels-under-central-park-to-be.html|title=A SUBWAY MINING FEAT; Opposite Tunnels Under Central Park to be Joined This Week. The Harlem River Problem -- Under Washington Heights -- The Work in the Bronx.|date=1902-02-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-26|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

In 1910, in conjunction with Central Park's growing recreational use, New York City Board of Aldermen president John Purroy Mitchel suggested placing a swimming pool and recreational center in the North Meadow. However, parks commissioner Charles Stover opposed the plan, and it was ultimately dropped.{{Rp|414}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30935976/|title=Aldermen Now Seek to Popularize Park|date=March 8, 1911|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 30, 2019|page=12|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}} After the plan was cancelled, another proposal was made that would replace the "comfort station", refreshment stand, and storage shed in North Meadow with a single recreational center. Around this time, in 1911, North Meadow was temporarily closed for reseeding, to mitigate damage caused by heavy usage.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31112678/|title=Conservation of Central Park|date=May 6, 1912|work=New York Sun|access-date=April 30, 2019|page=14|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31112790/|title=Ready to Restore Park|date=August 19, 1911|work=New-York Tribune|access-date=April 30, 2019|page=9|via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}} During the project, North Meadow was fenced in, and new trees and shrubs were added. The work took about four years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/03/28/archives/may-place-trenches-in-sheep-meadow-tract-already-injured-by-uboat.html|title=MAY PLACE TRENCHES IN SHEEP MEADOW; Tract Already Injured by U-Boat and Tank to be Used for Loan Exhibit. BORINGS WILL BE MADE Underlying Rock May Prove an Obstacle--Engineer to Stake Outa Tentative Site Today. Better Transit Facilities. Assails Park Invasion.|date=1918-03-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-30|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

Another plan in the 1920s called for a playground in the northern section of Central Park, near the North Woods.{{cite web | title=CHILDREN PERFORM IN CENTRAL PARK; Manhattan Playground Season Ends With Fete in Heckscher Recreation Place. GIRLS DANCE IN COSTUME Mulholland Tells of Plan to Have Similar Amusement Space at Northern End of Park. | website=The New York Times | date=September 25, 1927 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/09/25/archives/children-perform-in-central-park-manhattan-playground-season-ends.html | access-date=April 25, 2019}} Ultimately, the West 110th Street Playground was built at the site.{{cite web | publisher=Central Park Conservancy | title=West 110th Street Playground | website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC | date=February 12, 2015 | url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/west-110th-street-playground.html | access-date=April 25, 2019}} Under NYC Parks commissioner Robert Moses, athletic fields were constructed in the North Meadow in the 1930s,{{Rp|450}} and bocce, tennis, and volleyball facilities for adults were installed in the Great Hill.{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/highlights/10765|title=Great Hill|date=February 12, 2015|website=nycgovparks.org|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 25, 2019}}{{Rp|451}} The North Meadow was thus designated as an adults' play area, while the Great Lawn further south was reserved for children.{{Rp|451}}

 In 1962, the city announced that Lasker Rink would be built above the mouth of the Loch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/02/24/archives/central-park-to-get-swimming-pool-and-ice-rink-combined-110th-st.html|title=Central Park to Get Swimming Pool and Ice Rink; Combined 110th St. Facilities Will Cost $l,800,000|date=1962-02-24|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-19|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} When completed in 1966, the facility served as an ice rink in winter and Central Park's only swimming pool in summer.{{Cite Hidden Waters NYC|pages=48}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/12/22/archives/lindsay-and-hoving-give-new-skating-rink-a-whirl.html|title=Lindsay and Hoving Give New Skating Rink a Whirl|date=1966-12-22|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-19|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

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By the late 1960s, the Loch had deteriorated to such an extent that the cascades along its route had dried up, and the stream was jokingly referred to as "the Trickle".{{Rp|113}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/05/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-loch-taming-wilderness-hew-olmsted-s-concept.html|title=Streetscapes: The Central Park Loch; Taming a Wilderness to Hew to Olmsted's Concept|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=August 5, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} The Great Hill was also rundown, as was the North Woods.{{Rp|37–38}} By 1987, the Central Park Conservancy had raised $2.5 million to build a tennis house, the current recreation center, in the North Meadow. However, these plans were opposed by some tennis players, who stated that the existing tennis house on the southern edge of the meadow was located on a hill that afforded better views of the surrounding area, while the proposed tennis house would be located in a depression.{{Rp|520}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/02/weekinreview/the-region-the-private-greening-of-central-park.html|title=The Region; the Private Greening of Central Park|last=Anderson|first=Susan Heller|date=1987-08-02|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-04-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

The area gained notoriety in April 1989 due to the Central Park jogger case. A white female jogger was badly beaten and raped at night in the North Woods, when 30-32 youths from East Harlem were known to have been roaming through the park, and accosting and sometimes assaulting eight other persons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/21/nyregion/youths-rape-and-beat-central-park-jogger.html|title=Youths Rape and Beat Central Park Jogger|last=Wolff|first=Craig|date=April 21, 1989|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} According to The New York Times, the attack was "one of the most widely publicized crimes of the 1980s".{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/17/nyregion/smart-driven-woman-overcomes-reluctance.html|title='Smart, Driven' Woman Overcomes Reluctance|last=Farber|first=M. A.|date=July 17, 1990|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019}} A group of four black and one Hispanic teenagers, who became known as the "Central Park Five", were convicted of this and another assault, and sentenced to years in prison. Their convictions were vacated after another man confessed to the crime in 2002, his DNA matched that found in semen at the scene, and the DA's office conducted an investigation of other elements of the evidence.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/services/central-park-five/profile-matias-reyes-article-1.1308560|title=A Profile of Matias Reyes|last=Griffin|first=Annaliese|date=April 5, 2013|work=Daily News|access-date=March 24, 2011}}

Following the female jogger attack and other assaults in the park that night, the Central Park Conservancy organized the Citizens Task Force on the Use and Security of Central Park. The task force published a report that suggested reverting the North Meadow's baseball fields to a lawn, though this was strongly opposed by athletes who used these ball fields.{{Rp|520}} In 1990, the Conservancy announced recreational programs and restoration projects to attract more people to the North Woods and, by extension, reduce crime.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/04/nyregion/safety-improvements-are-planned-for-central-park.html|title=Safety Improvements Are Planned for Central Park|last=Purdum|first=Todd S.|date=April 4, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} Improvements to the northern end of the park began around this time. Areas of the North Woods was cleared and replanted, and programs to minimize erosion were set up.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/31/nyregion/neighborhood-report-central-park-a-rebirth-for-upper-park.html|title=Neighborhood Report: Central Park; A Rebirth For Upper Park|last=Howe|first=Marvine|date=October 31, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In 1994, the Conservancy announced a $71.5 million program to restore several portions of the park. The projects included adding drainage systems and reseeding the North Woods and North Meadow.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/18/nyregion/neighborhood-report-central-park-seeing-green-71-million-worth.html|title=NEIGHBORHOOD REPORT: CENTRAL PARK; Seeing Green, $71 Million Worth|last=Lii|first=Jane H.|date=September 18, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} The North Meadow Recreation Center was renovated again from 1998 to 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow-recreation-center.html|title=North Meadow Recreation Center|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 25, 2019}}

The West 110th Street playground was restored in 2006. A major storm destroyed more than one hundred trees in the northern section of the park in 2009, which represented the single greatest loss to the park's trees in thirty years.{{Cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/storm-topples-scores-of-trees-in-central-park/|title=Storm Toppled Scores of Trees in Central Park|last1=Chan|first1=Sewell|last2=Nir|first2=Sarah Maslin|date=August 19, 2009|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=April 25, 2019}} JPMorgan Chase later donated $1 million to replace the trees.{{Cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/donation-will-aid-storm-ravaged-section-of-central-park/|title=Donation Will Aid Storm-Ravaged Section of Central Park|last=Chan|first=Sewell|date=November 17, 2009|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=April 25, 2019}}

A $150 million renovation of Lasker Rink was officially announced in 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-lasker-pool-rink-central-park-20180717-story.html|title=Central Park's Lasker pool and ice rink set for $150 million makeover|last=Durkin|first=Erin|date=July 18, 2018|website=nydailynews.com|access-date=April 17, 2019}} requiring that the rink be closed between late 2021 and 2024.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/nyregion/central-park-skating.html|title=$110 Million to Fix Central Park Section Far From 'Billionaire's Row'|last=Barron|first=James|date=2019-09-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-19|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amny.com/news/central-park-conservancy-redesign-1.36506820|title=Central Park's $150M redesign focuses on north end improvements|last=Cohen|first=Li Yakira|date=September 18, 2019|website=AM New York|publisher=Newsday|access-date=September 19, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/central-park-new-improved-year-round-pool-rink|title=Central Park to get new, improved pool and ice-skating rink|last=Glasser-Baker|first=Becca|date=September 18, 2019|website=Metro US|access-date=September 19, 2019}} As part of the plan, the portion of the Loch and Harlem Meer under the lake would be restored to a more natural state, and a boardwalk would be added along the newly restored Loch. A new rink would be built to the east of the Loch and would be set within a slope, containing a new pool that would be located at a lower elevation than the existing pool. During winters, ice skaters would be allowed to skate on the boardwalk and the Loch by means of synthetic ice placed on the boardwalk.

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North Woods is the largest of Central Park's three woodlands, and is located at the lightly-used northwestern corner of Central Park.{{Cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/assets/pdfs/maps/CPC_Map_2014_V2.pdf|title=Central Park Map|date=2014|website=centralparknyc.org|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 1, 2019}}{{cite book|url=https://issuu.com/andropogon/docs/central_park_woodlands|title=Landscape Management and Restoration Program for the Woodlands of Central Park|author=Andropogon Associates, Ltd.|access-date=April 23, 2019|via=Issuu}}{{Rp|37}}{{cite Hidden Waters NYC|pages=}}{{rp|The Loch}}{{cite web|url=https://ny.curbed.com/maps/central-park-new-york-city-things-to-do|title=20 hidden gems of Central Park|last=Plitt|first=Amy|date=July 1, 2017|website=Curbed NY|access-date=March 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-woods.html|title=North Woods|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 23, 2019}} It covers about {{Convert|90|acre|ha|abbr=}} adjacent to North Meadow.{{Rp|37–38}}{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/RestoringNYC/RestoringNYC_CentralPark.html|title=Restoring New York City|last=Danoff-Burg|first=James|date=September 6, 2006|website=Columbia University in the City of New York|access-date=April 30, 2019}} The name sometimes also applies to other attractions in the park's northern end; if these adjacent features are included, the area of North Woods can be {{Convert|200|acre|ha|abbr=}}. North Woods contains the {{Convert|55|acre|ha|abbr=|adj=on}} Ravine, a forest with deciduous trees on its northwestern slope, as well as the Loch, a small stream that winds through North Woods diagonally.{{Rp|39}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/greening/nature-preserves/site?FWID=51|title=Forever Wild : NYC Parks|date=June 26, 1939|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=April 23, 2019}} The southeastern part of the Ravine contains oak, elms, and maple trees, while the area further east contains oak, hickory, maple, and ash trees. The Woods also includes Blockhouse No. 1, a historic fortification from the War of 1812.

The northwestern corner contains a playground called West 110th Street Playground. The playground has a children's play structure as well as spray fountains. The surrounding area also contains several tall rocks, popular among boulderers.

The western portion of North Woods contains Great Hill, the third-highest point in Central Park, rising to {{Convert|135|ft|m|abbr=}} above sea level. Great Hill contains a picnic area with tables. Near the top of the hill, a {{Convert|0.25|mi|km|abbr=|adj=on}} walking path encircles a green lawn.

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North Meadow, one of Central Park's lawns, measures {{Convert|23|acre|ha|abbr=}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow.html|title=North Meadow|website=www.centralparknyc.org|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|language=en|access-date=2019-04-26}} and is bounded by North Woods (at approximately 102nd Street) to the north and west, Harlem Meer to the northeast, East Meadow to the east, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir to the south. Samuel Parsons, the superintendent of Central Park during the 1880s through 1910s, once wrote of the North Meadow: "It is genuine park scenery that the eye is tempted to linger upon and the foot to walk upon, and presents, if viewed as a single feature, one of the best examples we have of good park work."{{Rp|91}}{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/landscapegarden00parsgoog|title=Landscape Gardening: Notes and Suggestions on Lawns and Lawn Planting, Laying Out and Arrangement of Country Places, Large and Small Parks, Cemetery Plots, and Railway-station Lawns, Deciduous and Evergreen Trees and Shrubs, the Hardy Border, Bedding Plants, Rockwork, Etc|last=Parsons|first=S.|publisher=G.P. Putnam's sons|year=1891|page=[https://archive.org/details/landscapegarden00parsgoog/page/n316 286]|access-date=April 25, 2019}} North Meadow contains twelve baseball fields,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/central-park/facilities/baseball|title=Central Park Baseball Fields : NYC Parks|website=www.nycgovparks.org|access-date=April 17, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/baseball.html|title=Baseball|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 17, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/issued/M010|title=Field and Court Usage Report for Central Park : NYC Parks|date=June 26, 1939|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|access-date=April 17, 2019}} as well as six non-regulation soccer fields overlapping with the North Meadow ballfields.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow.html|title=North Meadow|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 17, 2019}} A series of butterfly gardens are also located on the northeastern edge of North Meadow.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/north-meadow-butterfly-gardens.html|title=North Meadow Butterfly Gardens|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 26, 2019}} The space has sometimes been used for concerts, such as Garth Brooks's 1997 event Garth: Live from Central Park, which drew an estimated crowd of up to 980,000.{{cite web|last=Bergren|first=Joe|title=Flashback: Garth Brooks Makes History With 1997 Central Park Concert|publisher=KTVB|date=August 7, 1997|url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/flashback-garth-brooks-makes-history-with-1997-central-park-concert/277-462482639|access-date=June 16, 2020}}

In the middle of North Meadow is the North Meadow Recreation Center. The main building in the complex was converted to a recreation facility in the 1990s. The building contains twelve tennis courts and four basketball courts outdoors. In addition, a rock-climbing wall is located inside the recreation center building.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/21/nyregion/a-summit-in-central-park-boulder-gives-climbers-a-taste-of-the-mountain.html|title=A Summit in Central Park; Boulder Gives Climbers a Taste of the Mountain|last=Wren|first=Christopher S.|date=July 21, 1999|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In 2007, the center started offering horseback riding in conjunction with the Riverdale Equestrian Center, which operates near Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.{{Cite web|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/horseback-riding-returns-to-central-park/|title=Horseback Riding Returns to Central Park|last=Chan|first=Sewell|date=2007-10-19|website=City Room|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-26}} Additionally, the North Meadow includes a security center, installed in 1984.{{Rp|144}}

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North Woods contains the Loch, which drains into Harlem Meer in the northeastern corner of the park; the Loch is fed by the Pool, whose mouth is the waterfall at its eastern end that is the source of the Loch, just west of the arch called Glen Span. The Loch and Pool are adapted from a single watercourse called Montayne's Rivulet, originally fed from a natural spring but now replenished by the city's water system.{{rp|48–49}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/realestate/scenes-from-a-wild-youth-streetscapescentral-park.html|title=Scenes From a Wild Youth – Streetscapes/Central Park|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=May 26, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} The Loch is the only stream in Central Park where an existing watercourse was left aboveground, rather than placed in a culvert underground.{{rp|48–49}}

The Pool is located near 101st Street and Central Park West.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ab1ZgqY2Q6YC|title=New York's 50 Best Places to Discover and Enjoy Central Park: (and Other Green Retreats)|last=Putnam|first=K.|publisher=Rizzoli|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7893-1076-7|series=New York's Best Places to Discover and Enjoy Central Park|access-date=April 25, 2019}} It was once surrounded by lilies and contained a rocky island in the center.{{Rp|48}} The water for the Pool comes from a grotto that hides a {{Convert|48|in|cm|abbr=|adj=on}} water supply pipe.{{cite web|url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/pool-grotto.html|title=Pool Grotto|date=February 12, 2015|website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=April 25, 2019}} Originally, the Pool was fed by a drainage basin of {{Convert|64.5|acre|ha|abbr=}} inside the park as well as {{Convert|115|acre|ha|abbr=}} to the west of the park boundary.{{Cite web|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4085annual_report_manhattan_central_park_1863.pdf|title=1863 Central Park Commissioners Annual Report|date=1863|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=January 13, 2017}}{{Rp|82 (PDF p. 86)}}

The Loch originates at the Pool before winding through the North Woods and the Ravine. Its name is likely influenced from the trips that Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted made to the United Kingdom during the 1850s.{{Rp|29}} The Loch, formerly an actual lake, was whittled down over time into a small stream. Originally, there were two waterfalls on the Loch: a {{Convert|13.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} drop at the Pool, and a smaller {{Convert|9.5|ft|m|abbr=on}} drop further east.{{Rp|82 (PDF p. 86)}} Paths also lined either bank of the Loch. A diverse selection of plant species was located along the Loch, though before the 1990s restoration, this had been reduced to a few invasive species. The Loch enters a culvert between Huddlestone Arch to the west{{Rp|The Loch}} and the Lasker Rink (at the Harlem Meer) to the east. The tall-grass meadow adjacent to the Loch is the park's only woodland meadow.{{Rp|140}}

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|title=The Pool

|image1=Canada goose & cormorants in Central Park.jpg

|caption1=The Pool: Canada goose, cormorants

|image2=Looking west across the Pool.jpg

|caption2=View looking west across the Pool

|image3=Canada goose in Central Park 1.png

|caption3=Canada goose in the Pool

|image4=9 Central Park turtles basking on a rock.jpg

|caption4=Turtles sunbathing on a rock in the Pool

|image5=Central Park egret.jpg

|caption5=Egret in the Pool

|image6=The Pool (Central Park) November morning 1.jpg

|caption6=November morning

}}

{{multiple image|total_width=800|align=center|direction=horizontal

|title=The Loch

|image1=Central Park May 2019 43.jpg

|caption1=The Loch parallels a footpath to the east

|image2=The Loch on the Ides of March.jpg

|caption2=Seen in March

|image3=Central Park May 2019 109.jpg

|caption3=A small cascade in the Loch

}}

{{for|further details on the bridges|List of arches and bridges in Central Park}}

North Woods contains four ornamental spans. Glen Span, a light-gray gneiss-and-ashlar span, crosses the Loch as well as the adjacent walkway.{{cite book | last1=Spiegler | first1=J.C. | last2=Gaykowski | first2=P.M. | title=The Bridges of Central Park | publisher=Arcadia | series=Then & Now | year=2006 | isbn=978-0-7385-3861-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J3ZWCdWfKykC }}{{rp|120}}{{cite web | title=28. Glen Span | website=Greensward Foundation | url=https://www.echonyc.com/~parks/books/bridges28.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}} Further east, Huddlestone Arch carries the East Drive above a pedestrian path and the Loch. It is made of boulders, some weighing nearly {{convert|100|ST|LT t|abbr=off}}. It is the only one in the park whose boulders are held together solely by gravity.{{rp|128}}{{cite web | title=29. Huddlestone Arch

| website=Greensward Foundation

| url=https://www.echonyc.com/~parks/books/bridges29.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}}{{cite web |publisher=Central Park Conservancy

| title=Huddlestone Arch

| website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC | date=February 12, 2015

| url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/huddlestone-arch.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}} South of both of those, the Springbanks Arch carries a bridle path and a former segment of carriage road across a pedestrian path and a stream of the Loch.{{rp|118–119}}{{cite web | title=27. Springbanks Arch | website=Greensward Foundation | url=https://www.echonyc.com/~parks/books/bridges27.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}}{{cite web |publisher=Central Park Conservancy | title=Springbanks Arch | website=The Official Website of Central Park NYC | date=February 12, 2015 | url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/springbanks-arch.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}} Finally, the gneiss-and-ashlar Mountcliff Arch, near the Frederick Douglass Circle entrance to the park at 110th Street and Eighth Avenue, is the tallest span in the park at {{convert|48|ft|m}} high.{{rp|138}}{{cite web | title=30. Mountcliff Arch | website=Greensward Foundation | url=https://www.echonyc.com/~parks/books/bridges30.html | access-date=April 7, 2019}}{{cite web | title=Mountcliff Arch at 110th Street | website=Your Complete Guide to New York City's Central Park | url=https://www.centralpark.com/locations/arch-110th-street/ | access-date=April 7, 2019}} In addition, there are three unadorned "rustic bridges" in North Woods: the Cascade and Loch Bridges, as well as a third unnamed bridge.{{cite web | title=Small Rustic Bridges |website=Greensward Foundation | url=https://www.echonyc.com/~parks/books/bridges31.html | access-date=April 8, 2019}}

{{multiple image

|align=center

|direction=horizontal

|total_width=800

|header=Ornamental bridges of North Woods

|image1=A tunnel in Central Park.jpeg|caption1=Glen Span

|image2=Central_Park_May_2019_116.jpg|caption2=Huddlestone Arch

|image3=110th St Arch sun snow jeh.jpg|caption3=Mountcliff Arch

|image4=Springbank_Arch_(3)_jeh.jpg|caption4=Springbanks Arch

}}

{{-}}

{{reflist}}

• {{commonscat-inline|North Woods and North Meadow}}

{{Central Park}}

{{Protected areas of New York City}}

{{Harlem}}

Category:Central Park

Category:Forests of New York (state)

Category:Urban forests in the United States

Category:Trees of New York City