How the Davis Center is Restoring Nature and Rewriting Sustainable Design

On a bright spring morning in Central Park, the Harlem Meer shimmers in the sunlight as a flotilla of ducklings trails their mother, darting between water lilies that float like stars on the surface. A light breeze stirs the reeds at the water’s edge, while the scent of blooming flowers draws in bees and butterflies. These captivating creatures and plants are just a fraction of a much larger ecosystem that exists in the Park’s north end—now undergoing significant reimagining and revitalization, thanks to the Central Park Conservancy’s most ambitious project to date: the Davis Center.

Opening this April, the Davis Center redefines the relationship between nature and design. It is a statement of the Conservancy’s commitment to sustainability—a catalyst for the renewal of wildlife and plant life in Central Park’s northernmost landscapes. Designed to exist in dialogue with its surroundings rather than impose upon them, the center sets a new standard for urban green infrastructure—one in which nature and design work in concert rather than in conflict.

Releasing a Lost Waterway

The original Lasker Rink and Pool facility, constructed in the 1960s, was built to serve the north end community, but its placement came at a cost. Beneath the rink, a hidden stream—once part of the Loch—was confined to an underground man-made culvert, severed from the landscape it once nourished. This disruption to the stream led to flooding and ecological imbalance.

The new design of the Davis Center reverses this decades-old intervention through a process known as “daylighting,” or bringing the stream back to the surface, where it can once again flow freely, oxygenate naturally, and support a thriving aquatic ecosystem. The impact of this revival will be significant: improved water quality, new aquatic habitats, and enhanced biodiversity.

Restoring and Reviving the Landscape

The surrounding landscape design of the Davis Center is about more than enriching scenic character. It is an act of restoration, a deliberate effort to repair what was lost and to fortify the Park against the challenges of the future. Nowhere is this more evident than in the careful reintroduction of native flora—selected not only for their beauty, but for their resilience. These species require less water, less maintenance, and, crucially, they thrive here.

With the long-buried stream reconnected, its banks are being replanted with aquatic species that will stabilize the shoreline, filter pollutants, and provide essential habitat for wildlife. Nearby, the Harlem Meer is undergoing a similar transformation. Gone are the hardened edges of its shoreline, and in their place, the Conservancy has reestablished a natural, living shoreline, installing freshwater marshland plantings that can absorb runoff, improve water quality, and create a refuge for birds, pollinators, and other species.

Zooming out, the long-term vision for the site is even more ambitious. The goal is to allow the North Woods—the Park’s largest woodland—to extend its reach by maturing into a dense canopy blurring the lines between designed space and untamed nature. This is more than just landscape design, it is an investment in the Park’s ecological future, reinforcing Central Park’s role as a dynamic, evolving ecosystem—one where nature is not just protected but actively nurtured.

Reimagining Sustainable Design

The Davis Center is not just being built in Central Park; it is being built with Central Park, embracing the ecological systems that make this green oasis thrive. Unlike the imposing, inefficient concrete structure of its predecessor, the new center is a model of sustainable architecture, seamlessly integrated into its surroundings with minimal environmental impact.

Atop the center, a sprawling green roof does more than just blend the building into the landscape—it is a living expanse of vegetation that helps absorb stormwater, eliminates localized “heat island effects,” and provides additional access to nature. The building design reduces impervious surfaces by more than two acres, allowing the Conservancy to maximize ecosystem services.

Designed to work with nature rather than against it, the Davis Center is nestled into the park’s natural slope, leveraging passive climate control to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. Its orientation captures sunlight in the winter while providing shade in the summer, ensuring energy efficiency year-round. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors pivot open for natural ventilation, while the glass is engineered to minimize reflections. This helps prevent bird collisions, reinforcing the building’s seamless integration with its ecosystem.

Locally sourced materials tell a story of sustainability. Stone from the excavation was repurposed in the construction of the stream and to create landscape topography on the green roof and throughout the site, reducing emissions from transportation and minimizing environmental impact. Inside, sustainably harvested wood and glass lend warmth to the center’s design. Additionally, high-efficiency plumbing decreases potable water use, easing pressure on the City’s sewer system.

The project is set to achieve a LEED Gold certification, a testament to its ambitious sustainability goals. But beyond accolades, the Davis Center will be celebrated for its impact: the sustainable design and building practices, restored habitats, and a renewed sense of connection between New Yorkers and their Park.

Reconnecting the Community to Nature

For decades, the previous facility acted as a physical and psychological barrier, cutting off access for visitors to the Park’s northern end. The new Davis Center is designed to do the opposite: to invite the community to experience the Park beyond the facility.

Thoughtfully designed pedestrian paths, carefully woven into the natural contours of the terrain, will guide visitors through the North Woods, inviting them to lose themselves in the tranquility of the Park’s most secluded woodland. Huddlestone Arch—once obscured—has been revealed, offering a dramatic entrance to the cascading waterfalls of the Loch. A boardwalk over the Harlem Meer provides a new vantage point, immersing visitors in the landscape. The new green roof provides a peaceful perch with sweeping views. Open lawns throughout the space encourage relaxation, connection, and a deeper appreciation of nature.

One of the most innovative elements behind the Davis Center is its adaptability. Unlike traditional urban pools and rinks, which sit dormant for much of the year, the center will evolve with the seasons: a swimming pool in summer, an ice rink in winter, and a green oval in the shoulder months. This dynamic use of space extends beyond recreation—it is an example of how urban design can be flexible, efficient, and environmentally responsible.

Remodeling the Future of Parks

More than 150 years ago, Central Park’s designers envisioned a place where nature and city life can coexist. Today, that vision is being renewed—not through preservation alone, but through thoughtful reinvention.

The Davis Center is a statement about the possibilities of urban green spaces and how they can serve their communities. Parks are now essential infrastructure for climate resilience, biodiversity, and public well-being. By prioritizing ecological restoration alongside community recreation, the Conservancy is setting a precedent for the future of parks across New York City and beyond.

This spring, as the first visitors step onto the new pedestrian paths, as the first raindrops are absorbed by the green roof, and as a symphony of birdsong fill the air again , one thing is clear: Central Park is not just a relic of the past. It is growing, changing, and flourishing for generations to come.

Hong Vu is the Associate Director of Editorial at the Central Park Conservancy.