The Reservoir

Seeing the Central Park Reservoir for the first time is quite stunning. In a congested, densely packed borough of Manhattan, the last thing one expects to discover is such a enormous body of water. The reservoir covers 106 acres and holds over one billion gallons of water.

This was built to the Olmstead and Vaux original plan for Central Park between 1858 and 1862 - designed to receive water from the Croton Aqueduct and distribute it to Manhattan. It ceased functioning as a reservoir in 1993 when it was considered obsolete because of a new water main connecting to the New York City Water Tunnel No. 3.

Anything this large and prominent in Manhattan is going to take on a life of its own and its use maximized. There is a 1.58 mile running track that completely circles it - there are weekly races sponsored by the New York Road Runners Club. 

Take a walk around all or part of the reservoir and you will find many things - ornamental cherry trees, over 20 species of aquatic birds have been sighted, three ornamental stone gatehouses designed by Calvert Vaux, three pedestrian cast-iron bridges that span the bridle path - one of which is the Gothic Bridge, one of the park's most beautiful and distinctive and of course vistas of the skyline surrounding the park.

The photo was taken at the Engineers Gate entrance with the Purroy Mithcell Monnument. Looking across the Reservoir, you see Central Park West. The tall building in the center is the El Dorado, one of four twin-towered luxury apartment buildings designed by Emery Roth along Central Park West between 1928 and 1932 - The El Dorado, The Beresford, The San Remo and the Ardsley. Read Christopher Gray's New York Times Streetscapes article about the El Dorado here.

Note: The Central Park Reservoir is now officially known as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. The 1994 naming commemorated her contributions to New York City. Jacqueline who had a Fifth Avenue residence, enjoyed jogging in the area.