Season: April through October
Bring your own model sail boat, or
call Central Park Sailboats at (917) 796-1382 for information on
model boat sales and rentals.
For permits and boat storage
call (212) 360-8133.
One of the main attractions of Central Park
is model boat sailing.
In the course of its original construction city
budget cuts forced Frederick Law Olmsted's
and Calvert Vaux to reconsider their original
plan to build a huge conservatory on the
current site of the Conservatory Water.
Inspired by the model boat ponds of Paris
the designers abandoned their plans and
created an American version with a unique
symmetrical geometry.
Today radio powered boats as well as uniquely
constructed sailboats with large wind driven
sails stream across the shimmering waters. A
serious sport for many adults it is not
uncommon to see little children staring in
awe at grown men who have brought their
championed creations to the waters for a
competitive sail.
The Kerbs Boat House located directly behind
the Conservatory Water is a storage house for
many large power drive sailboats that can be
rented throughout the sailing season.
The Conservatory Water is flanked on its north
end by the Alice in Wonderland sculpture,
one
of the most visited in the Park and on the south
end by Pilgrim Hill. To its west is the famous Hans Christian Andersen sculpture.
This setting makes the Conservatory Water
particularly appealing to those of all ages
though children sometimes tend to dominate
the area particularly on summer weekends
and holidays when they get a chance to indulge
their fascination with small boats.
More serious adult sailing takes place on
Saturday mornings at ten o’clock from the
spring through the fall.
