Editing Central Park (section)

===1970s to 2000s: restoration===
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|align=right|width=220
|image1=great-lawn-before250.jpg|alt caption1=Great Lawn before renovations showing large areas of dead grass|caption1=The Great Lawn before renovations in the late 1970s
|image2=Great-Lawn.jpg|alt caption2= Great Lawns and five baseball diamonds after restoration |caption2=The Great Lawn after renovations in the 1980s}}

Under the leadership of the Central Park Conservancy, the park's reclamation began by addressing needs that could not be met within NYC Parks' existing resources. The Conservancy hired interns and a small restoration staff to reconstruct and repair unique rustic features, undertaking horticultural projects, and removing graffiti under the [[broken windows theory]] which advocated removing visible signs of decay.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30728554/|title=Pruning Central Park|last=Larkin|first=Kathy |date=May 6, 1983|work=New York Daily News|access-date=March 30, 2019|page=69|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> The first structure to be renovated was the Dairy, which reopened as the park's first visitor center in 1979.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/16/archives/1870-dairy-in-the-park-reopening-victim-of-fiscal-crisis.html |title=1870 Dairy In the Park Reopening|date=November 16, 1979 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418185025/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/16/archives/1870-dairy-in-the-park-reopening-victim-of-fiscal-crisis.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sheep Meadow, which reopened the following year, was the first landscape to be restored.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/09/25/archives/central-parks-sheep-meadow-where-the-grass-is-greener-is-reopened.html |title=Central Park's Sheep Meadow, Where the Grass Is Greener, Is Reopened|date=September 25, 1980|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418025349/https://www.nytimes.com/1980/09/25/archives/central-parks-sheep-meadow-where-the-grass-is-greener-is-reopened.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the [[USS Maine National Monument|USS ''Maine'' National Monument]], and the [[Bow Bridge (Central Park)|Bow Bridge]] were also rehabilitated.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murphy |first1=Jean Parker |last2=Ottavino |first2=Kate Burns |date=1986 |title=The Rehabilitation of Bethesda Terrace: The Terrace Bridge and Landscape, Central Park, New York |journal=[[APT Bulletin]] |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=24–38 |doi=10.2307/1494116 |jstor=1494116}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Champe |first1=Peter|last2=Rabinowitz|first2=Mark|date=1999|title=Restoring the Minton Tile Ceiling, Bethesda Terrace Arcade, Central Park, New York City|journal=[[APT Bulletin]] |volume=30|issue=2–3 |pages=11–16 |doi=10.2307/1504635 |jstor=1504635}}</ref><ref name="Carmody 1981">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/14/world/10-year-restoration-planned-for-central-park.html |title=10-Year Restoration Planned for Central Park|last=Carmody|first=Deirdre|date=October 14, 1981 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418185024/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/14/world/10-year-restoration-planned-for-central-park.html |archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> By then, the Conservancy was engaged in design efforts and long-term restoration planning,<ref name="Carmody 1984">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/13/nyregion/central-park-renews-its-details-and-vistas-in-a-burst-of-repairs.html |title=Central Park Renews Its Details and Vistas in a Burst of Repairs|last=Carmody |first=Deirdre|date=October 13, 1984|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418190536/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/13/nyregion/central-park-renews-its-details-and-vistas-in-a-burst-of-repairs.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1981, Davis and Barlow announced a 10-year, $100&nbsp;million "Central Park Management and Restoration Plan".<ref name="Carmody 1981"/> The long-closed Belvedere Castle was renovated and reopened in 1983,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/21/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-crown-for-a-castle.html |title=New York Day by Day; Crown for a Castle|last1=Johnston |first1=Laurie|date=September 21, 1983|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|last2=Anderson|first2=Susan Heller|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418190535/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/21/nyregion/new-york-day-by-day-crown-for-a-castle.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30729022/|title=Thanks for the facelift|last=La Rosa|first=Paul |date=September 22, 1983|work=New York Daily News|access-date=March 30, 2019|page=158|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> while the Central Park Zoo closed for a full reconstruction that year.<ref name="Slagle 1983"/><ref name="Carmody 1984"/> To reduce the maintenance effort, large gatherings such as free concerts were canceled.{{sfn|Rosenzweig|Blackmar|1992|pp=518–519}}

On completion of the planning stage in 1985, the Conservancy launched its first campaign<ref name="centralparknyc history2"/> and mapped out a 15-year restoration plan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/28/nyregion/the-city-unveils-a-blueprint-for-renovating-central-park.html |title=The City Unveils a Blueprint for Renovating Central Park|last=Carmody|first=Deirdre |date=April 28, 1985|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215303/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/28/nyregion/the-city-unveils-a-blueprint-for-renovating-central-park.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the next several years, the campaign restored landmarks in the southern part of the park, such as [[Grand Army Plaza (Manhattan)|Grand Army Plaza]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/28/arts/review-architecture-a-restored-grand-army-plaza-with-a-new-coat-for-the-general.html?pagewanted=1 |title=Review/Architecture; A Restored Grand Army Plaza, With a New Coat for the General |last=Goldberger |first=Paul|date=June 28, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 14, 2010 |issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521055157/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/28/arts/review-architecture-a-restored-grand-army-plaza-with-a-new-coat-for-the-general.html?pagewanted=1|archive-date=May 21, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and the police station at the 86th&nbsp;Street transverse;<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/04/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-stable-for-police-station-restoration-1870-jewel.html |title=Streetscapes: The Central Park Stable; For a Police Station, Restoration of an 1870 Jewel |last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=September 4, 1988|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215258/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/04/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-stable-for-police-station-restoration-1870-jewel.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> while Conservatory Garden in the northeastern corner of the park was restored to a design by [[Lynden B. Miller]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaufman|first=Joanne|date=October 20, 2009 |title=She Creates Urban Edens |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204518504574416761822659336 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |issn=0099-9660|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116140942/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204518504574416761822659336 |archive-date=January 16, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/11/nyregion/garden-in-central-park-is-reborn-after-neglect.html |title=Garden in Central Park Is Reborn After Neglect|last=Lyall|first=Sarah|date=June 11, 1987|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418150339/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/11/nyregion/garden-in-central-park-is-reborn-after-neglect.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Kinkead|1990|pp=144–145}} Real estate developer [[Donald Trump]] renovated the Wollman Rink in 1987 after plans to renovate it were delayed repeatedly.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/15/nyregion/trump-to-run-2-ice-skating-rinks-in-central-park.html |title=Trump to Run 2 Ice-Skating Rinks in Central Park|last=Anderson|first=Susan Heller|date=October 15, 1987|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418211025/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/15/nyregion/trump-to-run-2-ice-skating-rinks-in-central-park.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, the Zoo reopened after a $35&nbsp;million, four-year renovation.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Zoo Crew|last=Faye Kaplan|first=Lisa|date=August 18, 1988|work=White Plains Journal-News |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30733765/ 23], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30733848/ 24] |via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Work on the northern end of the park began in 1989.<ref name="Howe 1993">{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1993 |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 |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215300/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/31/nyregion/neighborhood-report-central-park-a-rebirth-for-upper-park.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A$51&nbsp;million campaign, announced in 1993,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=May 16, 1993 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/16/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-restoration-recalls-1930-s-battle-ballfields.html |title=Streetscapes: Central Park; Restoration Recalls the 1930s Battle of the Ballfields |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215306/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/16/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-restoration-recalls-1930-s-battle-ballfields.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> resulted in the restoration of bridle trails,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher |date= January 2, 1994 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/02/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-s-bridle-paths-challenge-restoring-long-neglected.html |title=Streetscapes/Central Park's Bridle Paths; The Challenge of Restoring Long-Neglected Trails |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215301/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/02/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-s-bridle-paths-challenge-restoring-long-neglected.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> the Mall,{{sfn|Central Park Conservancy|2014|p=22}} the Harlem Meer,<ref name="Kennedy 1993">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/09/realestate/a-nature-center-blooms-in-central-park-woodlands.html |title=A Nature Center Blooms in Central Park Woodlands|last=Kennedy|first=Shawn G.|date=May 9, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215300/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/09/realestate/a-nature-center-blooms-in-central-park-woodlands.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and the North Woods,<ref name="Howe 1993"/> and the construction of the Dana Discovery Center on the Harlem Meer.<ref name="Kennedy 1993"/> This was followed by the Conservancy's overhaul of the {{convert|55|acres|abbr=on}} near the [[Great Lawn and Turtle Pond]], which was completed in 1997.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/09/nyregion/city-emerald-great-lawn-reopens-will-its-fans-love-it-to-death.html |title=City Emerald; Great Lawn Reopens. Will Its Fans Love It to Death?|last=Martin |first=Douglas|date=October 9, 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215305/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/09/nyregion/city-emerald-great-lawn-reopens-will-its-fans-love-it-to-death.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Upper Reservoir was decommissioned as a part of the city's water supply system in 1993,{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=43}}<ref name="nyt19930506">{{Cite news|last=Roberts|first=Sam |title=131-Year-Old Reservoir Is Deemed Obsolete |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/06/nyregion/131-year-old-reservoir-is-deemed-obsolete.html |date=May 6, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 20, 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163427/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/06/nyregion/131-year-old-reservoir-is-deemed-obsolete.html |archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and was renamed after former U.S. first lady [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]] the next year.{{sfn|Kadinsky|2016|p=43}}<ref name="nyt19940723">{{Cite news |last=Kifner|first=John |title=Central Park Honor for Jacqueline Onassis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/nyregion/central-park-honor-for-jacqueline-onassis.html |date=July 23, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 20, 2020|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125114122/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/nyregion/central-park-honor-for-jacqueline-onassis.html|archive-date=November 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> During the mid-1990s, the Conservancy hired additional volunteers and implemented a zone-based system of management throughout the park.<ref name="centralparknyc history2"/> The Conservancy assumed much of the park's operations in early 1998.<ref name="NYTimes-Conservancy-1998">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/12/nyregion/private-group-signs-central-park-deal-to-be-its-manager.html |title=Private Group Signs Central Park Deal To Be Its Manager |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=February 12, 1998|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 18, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215258/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/12/nyregion/private-group-signs-central-park-deal-to-be-its-manager.html|archive-date=April 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Renovations continued through the first decade of the 21st&nbsp;century, and a project to restore the pond was commenced in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-central-park-fish-must-find-new-homes-pond-gets-makeover.html |title=Neighborhood Report: Central Park; Fish Must Find New Homes As Pond Gets a Makeover|last=Lee|first=Denny|date=September 3, 2000|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419024459/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/03/nyregion/neighborhood-report-central-park-fish-must-find-new-homes-pond-gets-makeover.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Four years later, the Conservancy replaced a chain-link fence with a replica of the original cast-iron fence that surrounded the Upper Reservoir.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-reservoir-good-fence-makes-neighbors-feel-good.html |title=Streetscapes/The Central Park Reservoir; A Good Fence Makes The Neighbors Feel Good |date=June 20, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419024458/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/realestate/streetscapes-central-park-reservoir-good-fence-makes-neighbors-feel-good.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It started refurbishing the ceiling tiles of the Bethesda Arcade,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/nyregion/thecity/16beth.html |title=Restoring Vaux's Vision, One Tile at a Time|last=Mooney|first=Jake|date=July 16, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2019|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419024458/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/16/nyregion/thecity/16beth.html|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> which was completed in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=19863|title=Central Park's Bethesda Terrace Arcade Reopens|date=March 2, 2007|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101005814/http://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases?id=19863|archive-date=November 1, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after, the Central Park Conservancy began restoring the Ramble and Lake,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=July 18, 2008 |url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/behind-the-dam-one-fierce-holdout/|title=Behind the Dam, One Fierce Holdout|work=City Room|publisher=The New York Times Company|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419024458/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/behind-the-dam-one-fierce-holdout/|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> in a project that was completed in 2012.{{sfn|Central Park Conservancy|2014|p=56}} Bank Rock Bridge was restored,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/oak-bridge.html |title=Oak Bridge at Bank Rock Bay|publisher=Central Park Conservancy|access-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045236/http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/oak-bridge.html|archive-date=October 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/an-old-bridge-reconstructed-is-unveiled-in-central-park/ |title=An Old Bridge, Reconstructed, Is Unveiled in Central Park|last=Lee|first=Jennifer 8. |date=September 30, 2009 |work=City Room|publisher=The New York Times Company|access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419024458/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/an-old-bridge-reconstructed-is-unveiled-in-central-park/|archive-date=April 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Gill, which empties into the lake, was reconstructed to approximate its dramatic original form.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/DocServer/CampaignPressRelease.pdf?docID=143 |title=Central Park Conservancy Announces The Campaign For Central Park|publisher=Central Park Conservancy |date=2006|access-date=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071003070133/http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/DocServer/CampaignPressRelease.pdf?docID=143 |archive-date=October 3, 2007}}</ref> The final feature to be restored was the East Meadow, which was rehabilitated in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/nyregion/conservancy-marks-milestone-in-restoring-central-park.html |title=Conservancy Marks Milestone in Restoring Central Park|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W. |date=September 20, 2011|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413221727/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/nyregion/conservancy-marks-milestone-in-restoring-central-park.html|archive-date=April 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>