Historic Central Park Plaza Reopens After $16M Restoration

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Grand Army Plaza South, one of Central Park's most recognizable entrances, has reopened following a two-year, $16 million restoration project that restored the historic plaza while improving accessibility and infrastructure for visitors.

The Central Park Conservancy celebrated the completion of the project, marking the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials, including representatives from the Mayor's Office, NYC Parks, the Department of Transportation, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Council Member Gale Brewer.

Located at the southeast corner of Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, Grand Army Plaza serves as a major gateway between Midtown Manhattan and the park. Originally envisioned by Central Park designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as the park's principal entrance, the plaza was completed in 1916 and centered around the Pulitzer Fountain.

"The reopening of Grand Army Plaza South is a remarkable investment in one of Manhattan's most iconic public spaces," Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said. "As the historic gateway to Central Park and Fifth Avenue, Grand Army Plaza is woven into the fabric of our borough, welcoming millions of New Yorkers and visitors every year."

The restoration focused on preserving the plaza's historic character while modernizing infrastructure and improving accessibility. Interior curbs were removed and pavement was regraded to create barrier-free access throughout the plaza. Workers also restored historic bluestone paving patterns, replaced granite curbs where needed, upgraded drainage and irrigation systems, and installed lighting designed to match the plaza's historic appearance.

A centerpiece of the project was the restoration of the Pulitzer Fountain, including conservation work on the fountain's bronze Pomona statue, which was removed and restored off-site before being returned. The project also upgraded the fountain's mechanical systems and expanded an underground maintenance vault intended to improve long-term operations.

Landscape improvements included reestablishing a historic double row of London plane trees, increasing shade and tree canopy coverage while restoring elements of the original design. New lawns, hedges and formal plantings were also added throughout the plaza.

The south plaza's last major restoration was completed in 1990. The Conservancy finished a separate renovation of Grand Army Plaza North in 2015.

According to the Conservancy, the project was funded primarily through private donations, with additional support from New York City.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.