Harlem Meer
The Harlem Meer is a water body in the northeast corner of Central Park—one of the most popular destinations in the area and known for its wealth of activities and scenic beauty.
The Harlem Meer is a water body in the northeast corner of Central Park—one of the most popular destinations in the area and known for its wealth of activities and scenic beauty.
A path lined with benches and various lawns along the Meer’s edge provide numerous spots for relaxing, picnicking, and sunbathing, as well as enjoying shoreline vegetation, wildlife, and views of the rocky bluffs to the south—an area known as the Fort Landscape.
The Meer is particularly popular with families, who can participate in activities such as catch-and-release fishing, skating and swimming at the Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink and Pool), and playing in two playgrounds. The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, a visitor center run by the Central Park Conservancy, is also a center of activity, offering exhibits and community programs.
Then & Now: The Harlem Meer
The word “Meer” is Dutch for “small sea,” and the name reflects the Park designers’ interest in unique names for the Park’s water bodies. It also connects to the area’s past, once part of the Dutch village of Harlem. This artificial lake was created on the location of a tidal marsh that was fed by a creek that extended south to the Harlem River. The Harlem Meer was designed as part of a sequence of landscapes connected by water: the Pool to the west flows into the Loch, which then flows into the Meer. Like most of the Park, by the 1970s, the Harlem Meer and surrounding landscapes were severely deteriorated. In 1993, the Conservancy completed a major restoration of the Meer, which made the area once again a destination for the neighboring communities.
Support the Park
Help us care for the Park’s water bodies. Our work keeps them healthy and supports the wildlife that depend on them.
Things you can do here
Arts & Entertainment
Harlem Meer Performance Festival
Harlem Meer Performance Festival has concluded for 2024
Tags: Families / Summer / Staff Picks / All Ages / First-Time Visitors
Guides
A Guide to the Perfect Central Park Date
New Yorkers and visitors alike often regard Central Park as one of the City’s most romantic destinations. We’ve put together a guide to the Park’s most magical places to bring your beloved.
Tours
Central Park Nature Walk: The North Woods
With its winding paths, lush tree canopy, beautiful birdsong, and charming waterfalls, this sprawling landscape provides the perfect escape.
Tags: Art & Architecture / Wildlife / Plants and Trees
Self-Guided Tours
Fort Landscapes Tour
Step into history and see how this area near the Harlem Meer played a key role during the American Revolution and War of 1812.
Tags: History
Activities
Catch-and-Release Fishing
Tags: Kids and Families
Guides
Picnic Guide
Central Park is home to lawns, benches, and picnic tables across its 843 acres, providing countless great picnic spots.
Tags: Kids and Families / Wildlife
Also in the area
Read more
Wildlife
Wintering in Central Park: How Urban Wildlife Survives Seasonal Change
The mammals, birds, and reptiles that call Central Park home have adapted to survive the cold.
Tags: Winter / Nature Lovers
Plants and Trees
What Are Central Park’s Most Colorful Fall Trees?
In appreciation of this photogenic time of year, we asked a Conservancy arborist what trees you should look for this autumn and where to find them.
Tags: Fall / Trees
Park History
Central Park Uncovered: The Experts Behind the Park Reveal Its Forgotten Stories and Hidden Histories
The Central Park Conservancy is here to uncover obscure facts and forgotten stories that even seasoned New Yorkers might not know about Central Park.
Tags: History / Highlights / Staff Picks / Park Experts / First-Time Visitors
Restoration and Maintenance
Hand-in-Hand with Harlem: The Conservancy's Four-Decade Restoration of Central Park's North End
In the 1980s, the Conservancy turned its attention to the Harlem Meer and went on to address the needs of Central Park’s north end over the next four decades. Throughout all of this work, the communities surrounding the Park have been vital partners in the care and maintenance of their backyard.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Playgrounds
Programs and Events
New Yorkers Celebrate Spring in Central Park
A full day of free special events and programs unfolded across Central Park on March 20 to celebrate the first day of spring.
Tags: Families / Conservancy Staff / Spring
Park History
Harlem Meer Performance Festival Nears 30 Years of Music and Dance
Since 1993, the Harlem Meer Performance Festival has been a cultural cornerstone of the community surrounding the north end of Central Park.
Tags: Summer
About the Conservancy
Keeping NYC's Backyard Clean & Green: A Park Lover's Guide to Visiting Central Park
As we experience one of the busiest years in Central Park history, let’s work together to tend to the Park we need, and that in turn, needs us. Read this checklist before your next visit and help us keep the Park healthy this summer and for seasons to come.
Tags: Families / Summer / Conservancy Staff / Flowers / Tips for Visiting / Trees / Nature Lovers / Park Experts / First-Time Visitors
Park History
Establishing a ‘Gateway to Harlem’: The Creation of Frederick Douglass Circle
While Frederick Douglass is an integral figure in American history, it took time for the eight-foot bronze sculpture and accompanying renovation of the area to come about.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / Monuments / History
Restoration and Maintenance
New Rink and Pool to Expand Recreational Opportunities
The Conservancy has unveiled its capstone project of its decades-long work in the north end of Central Park.
Plants and Trees
A Tree Lover’s Guide to the Harlem Meer and North Woods
The North Woods and the landscapes around the Harlem Meer are home to a collection of New York City’s most showstopping trees—many of which are over 100 years old! Explore the Central Park Conservancy’s guide to the area’s best longtime leafy residents, curated by our expert arborists.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / About the Conservancy / Trees / Highlights / Nature Lovers / Park Experts / Plants and Trees / Landscapes / Restoration and Maintenance
Park Information
10 New Year’s Resolutions for a Central Park-Lover
Here are 10 ways to combine a desire for a new you in the new year with the joy of spending time in Central Park.
Park Information
A Reflection of Nature Itself: The Different Landscapes of Central Park
Central Park is made up of a variety of landscapes that are diverse, intricate, and interconnected—just like the communities of Park-lovers who enjoy them.
Tags: Trees / Nature Lovers / Lawns / Landscapes
About the Conservancy
A New Era: An Expanded Summer Festival and Sneak Peek at the Harlem Meer Center
In honor of the Harlem Meer Performance Festival’s 30th anniversary, we’re looking back at its start as well as what’s to come at the Harlem Meer.
Park History
From the Archives: Fall Foliage in Central Park Over the Years
The colorful spectacle of fall foliage in Central Park never loses its appeal. We turned to our archives to see how the Park has evolved from one fall to the next.
Tags: Fall / Highlights / Staff Picks / Nature Lovers / Plants and Trees / Landscapes
Park History
Before Central Park: A Brief History in 10 Fun Facts
What do glaciers, cow manure, and the Revolutionary War all have in common? They were all crucial in shaping the area that later became Central Park! Learn more about the pre-Park’s history with these 10 fun facts, drawn from Conservancy Historian Emerita Sara Cedar Miller’s new book.
Tags: History
Restoration and Maintenance
Forever Young: The Restorations That Help Central Park Thrive
The Conservancy is overseeing a record-breaking number of restorations this year, from enhancing accessibility in a beloved garden to resurfacing a popular running track. Despite their differences, all of these projects share a common goal: improving the visitor experience in Central Park.
Tags: Park Design / About the Conservancy / Fitness / Architecture / Plants and Trees / Restoration and Maintenance
Programs and Events
The Hair-Raising History of the Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla
The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla returns to the Harlem Meer in late October with family-friendly entertainment, crafts, and more.
Tags: Fall / Best for Kids
Restoration and Maintenance
Always Improving: Restoring Central Park in 2019
The Central Park Conservancy’s team of professionals work year-round to renovate, rebuild, and refresh every corner of the Park.
Tags: Playgrounds