Conservatory Water is a charming ornamental pond in Central Park, famous for model boating, hidden sculptures, and a rich 19th‑century history.
The pond's name comes from a planned glass conservatory for tropical plants that was part of the 1857 Greensward Plan by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The conservatory was never built, but the "hard‑edged" reflecting pool was, and it became the pond we know today.
When Central Park was created in the mid‑1800s, hardy water lilies grew wild in the mud, while delicate varieties were wintered in the park's conservatory. Later, the pond was reshaped into the model boat pond we see now.
The pond's water originally came from the Sawkill stream, which once flowed through the area toward the East River, via the Ramble and Lake.
Children have been sailing here for over 150 years, inspired by similar ponds in Paris and London. Today, you can rent radio‑controlled or wind‑powered boats from the Kerbs Memorial Boathouse.
The pond's edge is home to Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen statues, popular with kids and art lovers. read more