The Davis Center at Central Park’s Harlem Meer Officially Opens to the Public

The long-anticipated Davis Center at the Harlem Meer is now open, bringing renewed energy to north end of Central Park. Following a celebratory ribbon cutting on Friday, April 25, the $160 million project welcomed visitors the following day with a family-friendly celebration featuring live performances, food, tours, and activities on the newly unveiled Harlem Oval.

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Located just south of 110th Street, the Davis Center transforms the landscape at the Harlem Meer with a year-round community hub that includes a seasonal pool, winter ice rink, green space, and indoor gathering areas, all integrated into the park’s natural topography with a sweeping green roof and panoramic views.

“Today is a joyful and deeply meaningful day for Central Park and for New York City,” said Betsy Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, in a press release. “What once was a beloved but aging facility is now a beautiful, welcoming place that celebrates Central Park and welcomes New Yorkers to swim, skate, learn and connect – all year round.”

The Davis Center replaces the former Lasker Rink and Pool, a mid-century facility that had long been in need of revitalization. Plans to transform the site were first announced in 2018, launching years of community engagement, design development, and construction. Designed by Susan T Rodriguez | Architecture • Design and Mitchell Giurgola Architects in collaboration with the Central Park Conservancy, the project officially broke ground in 2021. By late 2024, the new facility was nearing completion, and after more than seven years of planning and work, the Davis Center now offers a reimagined public space designed for year-round use and deeper community connection.

The city contributed $60 million to the project, while the Conservancy raised $100 million privately. Major donors include Kathryn and Andrew Davis, for whom the center is named. “The Davis Center is a beautiful, inclusive space that we hope brings joy to all who visit,” said the Davises.

Beyond its architectural significance, the Davis Center offers a wide array of programming, from skating, swimming, and dance classes to art workshops, meditation and yoga, all geared toward accessibility and community engagement.

Council Member Yusef Salaam called the center “a vibrant, year-round hub for our community,” adding that the center will “bring us together through diverse, accessible programming.”

Explore the full calendar of events and activities at the Davis Center here.

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