My review of Harlem Meer is also a tribute to the sweetest owl, Flaco. First, let's talk about the Meer..the Meer and the area around it was one of the last parts of Central Park to be built; a swamp was transformed into the 11-acre Meer. It is located on the northeast corner of Central Park, between 106th and 110th Streets. "The word "Meer" is Dutch for "small sea," and the name reflects the Park designers' interest in unique names for the Park's water bodies. It also connects to the area's past, once part of the Dutch village of Harlem. This artificial lake was created on the location of a tidal marsh that was fed by a creek that extended south to the Harlem River. " "Charles A. Dana Discovery Center was built on the north shore of the Meer as part of the restoration. More recently, the Lasker Rink area near the Meer was redeveloped into the Davis Center, a new facility that includes a year-round ice rink and pool." On my recent visit, I was stoked to finally visit the swimming pool but it was closed; prepping for winter and turning into the rink. The Meer hosts picnics, fishing ( catch and release only, the seasonal Pumpkin flotilla and many other activities. How and why did I fall in love with this area? There was a little owl who lived in a cage in the Central Park Zoo. One day, a visitor dismantled his cage and the owl escaped. That night, he was spotted in front of Bergdorf Goodman by several members of the police trying to catch him. But, he was too smart for them and escaped again. The next day, he was spotted in inside park @79th Street. But, being an Eurasian owl, Flaco, aimed higher. He settled into the North Woods. My friend Rochelle and I were mesmerized by him and visited him often. Flaco was a brilliant and curious owl. He was spotted in the Meer. Why? He loved watching the construction of the new pool( Davis Center) and caught his dinner there, rats! I have included pictures of Flaco sitting atop a Komatsu watching the construction and of course looking for rats. I have beautiful memories of Flaco and because of him, falling in love with the Meer and Harlem. It is my most favorite part of Central Park. Flaco was the most beautiful owl I have ever encountered. When I visit the Meer I visit his most favorite tree, time and time again.. More to come! read more

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Come over! Enjoy the Spring with emerging new flowers and local wildlife! Love Harlem Meer! Once discovering the Northeast corner of Central Park years ago, it has been one of my favorite places to visit year-round! Now living next to it, I regularly come to here walk and sit. The lake with its boathouse is the perfect place to reflect, especially if you appreciate wildlife. I enjoy that it's less touristy, more local park feel. Some people come to fish, but remember it's only catch and release. Although regularly you'll see all types of birds, my favorite animals to watch are the turtles - especially when they head to land or rocks to sunbathe! Harlem Meer's Boathouse houses the Dana Discovery Center, an environmental education center and info point. Under construction is the new Davis Center, with a new state-of-the-art pool and rink to replace the dated Lasker Rink and Pool, will have it's Opening Day Celebration on April 26th with programs starting at its Harlem Oval public green and its Gottesman Pool scheduled to open in June. This renovation will also enable a connection between the lake and water features in the North Woods park section, styled to be a rustic forest like the Adirondacks. The southern Meer shoreline is also getting a well-needed redesign. If you make it here, adjacent to Harlem Meer's southern tip and Fifth Avenue 106th St. entrance is the Conservatory Garden, an amazing place especially from March to October when there are coordinated blooms across 3 well-maintained formal gardens, just fully available after renovations! While Harlem Meer in a more naturalistic setting has the fauna, the Conservatory Garden truly features the flora. The northernmost French section, immediately adjoining Harlem Meer, includes a fountain and trellaces immediately connects through the newly reopened Italian section, with its own fountain and pergola, to the amazing southernmost English "Secret Garden" section - with the widest flower selections and hidden fountain. Replanted Crabtree Allées divide the three. It's all a worthwhile extra stop once to a Harlem Meer visit! read more

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Beautiful part of Central Park that's also good for fishing. Pretty close to the huge pool as well. Beautiful views of downtown from the tops of the hills. read more

Harlem Meer - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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I'm just an enthusiastic tourist whenever I'm in New York City, certainly not a knowledgeable local when it comes to the less publicized gems of the city. That's my less than credible explanation for not venturing into the less touristed part of Central Park north of the reservoir. You can tell the locals like to keep this part of the city to themselves. I finally addressed this gap on my most recent trip and actually walked to Harlem by way of the park. What a nice surprise to see unexpected sights like waterfalls and hidden ponds. But the biggest surprise for me was this well tended lake in the northeastern corner of the park. It makes for a nice stroll around the perimeter with bluffs that were supposed to be used as war bunkers two centuries ago. Now they provide bucolic meditation spots. Right now there's a lot of construction going on as they are refurbishing the nearby rink and building a boardwalk. It won't all be done until 2024, but the lake itself is still a nice spot to get your steps in after feasting on fried chicken and waffles at Sylvia's. RELATED - Exploring Manhattan? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F read more

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Re the pool staff only, they enjoy themselves condescending that you cannot enter after standing in a long, long line, because your padlock is not heavy enough. read more

Lovely pond with plenty of walking paths, benches, and stunning views adjacent to The Conservatory Garden. Depending on the weather, one can see fishermen fishing for fish! My BFF Olive loves it here, we always walk up the rocks above the meer and watch the hawks flying past, likely hunting their next meal. It's a beautiful quiet place in nature, and the pool/ice rink (depends on the season) is within walking distance! Couldn't love it more. read more

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Harlem Meer is a body of water/area in the northeast corner of Central Park (east side between 106th and 110th). It's a really pretty area of the park that is a nice place to take a walk, sit and read a book, or bird/people watch. It's very pretty and well-worth a stop if you're in this area of the park. read more

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The Harlem Meer section of Central Park is AMAZING! Our class took a trip to the Harlem Meer and visited the playground, our favorite part. We loved the swings. The area was clean and in fact it was being power washed while we were there. However, our teacher did see a really LARGE RAT, in the playground area bushes! But, hey - it's NYC! We really want to visit again before school is over, fingers-crossed. read more

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One of my favorite spots to have allergy attacks! I can't stay away. Sometimes my friends in my building come here to fish. It's just a wonderful relaxing place to find Peace. If you want to enjoy food it's close to food. If you enjoy flowers and gardens they are nearby. You can enjoy the museums, culture and there's even little beaches. See my photos. The Harlem Meer and surrounding area can provide you with hours of entertainment and enjoyment in many ways. Plus the hospital is close if your allergies get the best of you! read more

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Walking by the Harlem Meer the other weekend on a nice sunny day I just had to notice how peaceful it was, but also how full of activity the spot had going on. This man made lake is pretty large for a body of water on the far northeast corner of Central Park, and offers great views and picture opportunities. Benches all around, groups of people picnicking, free fishing, snack booth, bathrooms in a little Hansel & Gretel type little house (Charles A. Dana Discovery Center), playgrounds close by, and even live music performances lakeside in the summer. The Lasker Rink and Pool is also close by for summer swimming and winter ice-skating. It's actually a great spot to take a nice walk around, or relax on a bench and watch the world meander by. At winter time after a snowfall it is also a picturesque serene scene. read more

Harlem Meer - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

3.5 stars. Come to this underrated body of water in northern Central Park, where you won't find tourists and can chill on a bench overlooking the lake. The little cottage in the middle is cool, and you can take a walk around it for different views. read more

You'll find Harlem Meer in the north of Central Park by 5th Avenue. The lake, or 'meer' in Dutch, was designed by Olmstead. It's a laid back, quiet, less busy part of the park. There used to be a Dutch village in the area. Very peaceful. There are fish in the lake. read more

From previous yelp reviews, I was expecting peace and quiet but when I came here on Saturday Afternoon, there was a pow wow group playing drums non-stop during the 3 hours I was there. There was also loud top 40 music playing in the neighborhood but the drums drown it out... lucky me. With your drivers license, the harlem meer ecocenter gives you a fishing rod with cooked corn as bait (for free)... After 2 hours of fishing and moving from one spot to another, my friend and I didn't catch anything, but we did witness other fishers catching fish from time to time and realized it was because they brought their own bait. Tip: BYOB - I recommend you bringing your own bait - hotdogs, worms, etc. I saw a lot of people running/training near the pond, it is nice but I wouldn't describe this pond as serene or peaceful - at least on Saturday afternoons. read more

Harlem Meer - Free no cast fishing - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

FREE fishing? Seriously, what isn't free in NYC? I need to write a whole book on this. Come out here, get your free fishing rods and some corn. Hm, we tried fishing with corn for a bit but only the baby birds tried to grab 'em. Luckily, there's a whole community of fishermen & women here. We met a mom and daughter who gave us their cut up shrimp-result? We caught about ten fish over the course of an hour. When we couldn't get the hooks out, random strangers did it for us within a few seconds. Awesome. Some others caught a turtle, which really hurts 'em. You're supposed to try to unhook 'em of course, or cut off the line. We had to do that with ours when we lent our rods to a couple of kids. Yet, they didn't charge us like it says they would. Good times. Talk about a romantic date-fish for a few hours, then walk down Museum Mile to get some culture on. read more

This is one of my favorite spots in Central Park. It is typically not crowded. In fact, I have never seen hoards of people here. It's so far uptown that I didn't see a tourist in sight. Woohoo! There are wide paths to walk/run, so I didn't walk into a dog or human. This spot has a lake, which is super relaxing to walk or just stare at. I love to come here during my lunch, sit on the grass and gaze at the lake. It is so relaxing. read more

I've been living up by this small (yet noble in its own right) body of water for a month now, and it's been nothing but roses. Yeah, the Meer may not be the BIGGEST body of water in the park, but does that mean it's not the best? Suck it Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy reservoir, you may hold some "drinking water" that "keeps people alive", but your fence makes you look bad (yeah I said it, someone had to). So what if the water in this little lake is "unsuitable for drinking", and "may cause giardia", I like it just the same. Who wants to go for a stroll around the Meer? Well aside from the dirty sounding name* (it means lake in Dutch by the by), the Meer is one of the most gorgeous places in Central Park (and you should absolutely go for a walk around it if you find yourself uptown). From the early morning dog walkers, to the late night hooligans, and all the tourists in between, the diversity of people hanging out around here cannot be overstated; that is really the beauty of this part of town though, it seems like every different sort of person lives around here and I have to say I like that a lot. The windy paths lead you around the many curves of the lake, and the views are super nice. They have the Christmas tree in the middle of the lake this time of year, which is really something to see lit up at night (they also have a lighting that I missed, will have to go next year). If you're into water, small hikes on paved paths, and are looking to get away without getting away, then this place is probably something that will be right up your alley. So there you go, a gorgeous spot in the park for you to check out, and a quick Dutch language lesson all in one short review. ______________________________________________ *is it dirty sounding or funny? I still can't make up my mind (though most dirty things are in fact funny, so there you go) read more

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Great spot anchoring the northeast corner of Central Park. The path around the meer wanders a bit, creating unexpected vistas, so a stroll takes longer than you'd think. But there's plenty to keep your attention. The faux-Victorian cottage on the north side houses a center for educational and cultural programs (plus bathrooms). The adjacent playground is best for older kids who like to climb. The water is particularly algae-laden here but it all looks clean, and the resident ducks seem happy enough. There's a tiny sandy beach, locals fishing (with serious-looking equipment), and the occasional food vendor. The Meer is a good jumping-off point for the other wonders of the neighborhood: Lasker Rink, the Conservatory Garden, and an increasing number of interesting restaurant options in East Harlem. read more

This is one of my favorite parts of Central Park. It is rarely crowded and there is a path that you can run on that takes you around the entire lake. The views are stunning and it is a really relaxing place to hang out if you want to get away from the craziness of the city. You can also check out the Conservatory Garden which is gorgeous and truly one of the most romantic spots in the city. If you haven't been there you need to check the Garden out. I highly recommend checking this corner of the park out. You won't be disappointed. read more

First time at Harlem Meer, although I have walked by it several times. I walked the entire length of the Meer. It was a pleasant walk. I enjoyed the scenery. It was quite peaceful. read more

I'm fairly new to the Central Park neighborhood. The Meer is a good place to quietly sit on the benches & people watch. People jogging & walking their pets makes it meditative. :-) read more

Harlem Meer - Sitting right behind the Meer benched on a sunny & mild Saturday afternoon. 8/24/13 - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

Meer is Dutch for "lake" or "small sea." Landscape-wise, the Harlem Meer is one of the most beautiful places in Central Park. In the winter when the lake is frozen over and there is snow in a jagged, patchy pattern on the rocks and ice-- it is gorgeous. It's one of those things you need to catch-- when it's completely covered, it's also nice, but it's in those few intermediate days when some but not all of the snow has melted that it is most riveting. Looking online I didn't find any pictures resembling what I am describing, which shows how rare it is for people to actually come up here. The Meer is best viewed from the northeast corner going down, so unless you were coming from Harlem and walking south you might not notice how nice it is. At sunset the water often catches a reflection of the trees and rocks. Compared to the flat, clear plain of Sheep Meadow or the geometric Mall, for examples, the Meer is more textured and complex, with dramatic heights on the southwestern side, fun rocks to climb, and a marshy shore line. read more

A beautiful and non-touristy part of Central Park. Walking around this artificial lake, you feel like you are enjoying an amazing neighborhood park. And for one of those "only in NY" moments gaze from the southwest of the lake north to take in the view of the lake, the weeping willows, the cute boathouse, and the minimum security prison on Central Park North in the background. read more

Gorgeous little hidden spot in the north part of Central Park absolutely beautiful with little turtles popping up in the water. Feels like aways away from downtown read more

Harlem Meer - Enjoy a walk - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

In true Harlem Yelp fashion, the FTR for the Meer occurs in 2010. Founded by the Dutch in 1421, "Meer" is Dutch for "a whale's vagina". "You're like an island of reality...in an ocean of diarrhea", the leashless dog said to the Meer. Folks come here to sit on benches and look at the manmade body of water, and I don't blame 'em. Turtles love it, Knishes love it, and the Meer loves them back. read more

A beautiful and lesser visited area of Central Park. Many cultural events take place here especially over the summer. The water is full of fish and turtles as well as plenty of ducks and geese. A great place for some rest and relaxation. read more

Harlem Meer - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

This is a great place to take in some air in NYC that's just steps from the subway. And water is so peaceful. Catch some rays as you stroll... read more

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Went on Sunday 8/16/2015 to see the Cuban Band Quimbombo and had a fabulous time. The event was well organized and the workers/volunteers did a great job making the spectators comfortable with chairs and a canopy tent for shade. Great job and I can not wait to attend another event. read more

This is a beautiful place in Harlem. You can take a leisurely stroll around the Meer and it will only take about 15 - 20 minutes. You can see ducks swimming or napping under a shady tree, turtles hanging out on logs, fish (catfish?) swimming close to the shoreline, seasonal geese, and even a swan during the warmer part of the year that looks like in flew in from a fairytale somewhere. There's benches all around if you want to sit, relax, maybe eat or listen to music, and just watch the trees and the water. There's a nice sandy area for kids to come play, fishing rods that you can rent at the boathouse to test your skills, and a few playgrounds surrounding the Meer walk as well. The flower garden which is free to enter and very peaceful to visit is directly behind the Meer at its southern edge. Come take a walk here anytime! read more

It is a nice, quieter, less crowded part of the park. For the peacefulness, size of the lake, and activities it rates pretty high. If you're looking more to be wowed then go south young man. read more

I've lived across the street from the Harlem Meer all of my life; I am thankful for all the renovations made to it, and I walk through at least once a week. read more

This place has less tourist and more relaxed then other parts. Make sure to make a visit. Get some food and drinks from Maoz. Just relax.

me and my lil buddy were strolling through just amiring the tranquility of it all don't worry, my lil buddy didn't leave any fertilizer on the grass , so if any is found it wasn't him we kept it clean and serene read more