As part of our restoration of the Lake and the Ramble, we completed the reconstruction of five boat landings on the shoreline of the Lake.

The new landings are faithful recreations of the Lake’s original boat landings, which had been constructed in the 19th century and removed throughout the 20th century due to deterioration.

Beginning in 1860, six boat landings were constructed along the shoreline of the Lake. The small structures served as scenic lookouts and docks for recreational boaters. A passenger boat made a circuit around the Lake transporting visitors between all six landings and Bethesda Terrace.

Chambers Boat Landing with the Lake in the background and apartment buildings on the horizon.

Bank Rock Boat Landing

The boat landings, which were designed to complement the surrounding scenery, were periodically repaired and rebuilt throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Eventually, much of the original detailing was lost over time. By 1970, none remained. Four of the landings were rebuilt by Parks Department crews in the 1970s, beginning with an initiative by a volunteer group, the Friends of Central Park, to recreate the Wagner Cove landing.

Wagner Cove reflected in the still waters of the Lake, the boat landing dappled in sunlight.

Wagner Cove Boat Landing

These four landings were nearing the end of their useful life, so the Conservancy rebuilt and installed new boat landings in their place in 2016. The new landings are more faithful recreations of the original 19th-century designs and represent rustic and Victorian styles. As part of the project, the Conservancy also built and re-installed a fifth landing (the Bank Rock Boat Landing) that had historically existed on the Ramble shoreline near Oak Bridge, but had not been reconstructed with the others in the 1970s.

Western Shore Boat Landing, with autumn leaves reflected on the Lake and apartment buildings in a hazy background.

Western Shore Boat Landing

The view across the landing to Bow Bridge across the Lake.

Bow Bridge Boat Landing

The landing reflected in the Lake on a bright Autumn day

Hernshead Boat Landing

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