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The
11-acre Harlem Meer (Dutch for "Lake") and its surrounding
wooded landscape were constructed after the lower Park had been
completed. The saying "Save the best for last," comes to
mind when visitors experience this ruggedly beautiful setting. They
can see swans and grebes leaving small jet wakes in the water. They
can look south and see dramatic rock outcroppings angling sharply to
the water, and then, with a simple turn of the head north, see the
buildings of Harlem and watch traffic navigating Duke Ellington Circle.
Duke
Ellington Circle
The
creation of the Harlem Meer was not, however, a straightforward
process. In 1860, the creative genius of Olmsted's design skills were
evident, but so, too, were his shortcomings as a manager. Under
Olmsted's watch, there were lengthy delays in Park construction and
inconsistent oversight of Park expenditures. Olmsted insisted on
staying in charge, however, saying, "No one but myself can
understand at the present time, the true value or purpose of what is
done on the Park&ldots;" In spite of Olmsted's plea, the Park
Commissioners turned to one of their own, placing Andrew Green, the
board's comptroller, in charge. He saw to it that construction
accelerated; he also completed financial negotiations for additional
parkland between 106th and 110th Streets. These 65 acres constitute
today's Harlem Meer landscape, which reflect Olmsted and Vaux's plan
to retain the northern end's rugged topography, advancing the
construction of the northern end of the Park. A swamp became the
11-acre Harlem Meer and the surrounding wooded areas came to include
a planted Ravine and rustic waterfall.
A
1940s reconstruction changed the existing soft grassy shoreline to a
concrete and fenced edge. But in 1993, the Meer's shoreline was
returned to Olmsted's original vision, with a miniature sandy beach
added for whimsical effect. A cove in the southeast corner of the
Meer has steps going down to the water's edge. There visitors can sit
surrounded by native plants – roses, hydrangeas, pickerel weed,
and irises – that spill down the slope and to the water's edge.
Surrounding the Meer are some of the Park's most impressive trees:
oak, bald cypress, beech, and ginkgo.
The
Meer and its landscapes today offer an amazing array of
family-related activities: catch-and-release fishing; two playgrounds
with water features; Park-related tours and exhibits and talks at The
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center; the nearby Conservatory Garden ;
and Lasker Rink for skating or swimming. Don't forget summer jazz and
summer evening dancing on the terrace at 110th Street adjacent to The
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. |
