Central Park

The Daily Plant : Friday, July 18, 2003

150th ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRAL PARK JULY 19th CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES

Bicycle Race with Children’s Fun Ride and Clinic - 6:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.

Watch a multi-lap bicycle race organized by the Century Road Club Association, followed by a cycling safety clinic and kids fun ride at 7:45am. At Ramble Parking Lot.

Central Park’s 150th Birthday Run/Walk - 8:30 a.m.

The New York Road Runners Club will hold a 4-mile run/walk event; the start and finish will take place along the 72nd Street Cross Drive.

Central Park’s 150th Birthday Kids’ Races - 10:00 a.m.

The New York Road Runners Club will hold races for children between the ages of 2 –12 along the 72nd Street Cross Drive.

42nd World Archery Championships- 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at North Meadow

Come and watch Olympic and World Champions compete for the gold in the 42nd World Archery Championships. For the first time ever in New York City, the world’s top-ranked archers will go head-to-head in archery’s most important bi-annual event.

Information Tables - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Discovery Hunt Books, maps and a schedule of events will be distributed. Information tables will be located at: Columbus Circle, Grand Army Plaza, E.72nd St, W.72nd St., E.79th Street (3 Bears), W.81st St., E.90th St., W.100th St., E. 106th St., 110th St. and Lenox Ave.

The Revolutionary War Encampment: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Great Hill.

Everyday life in a Revolutionary War camp is demonstrated through various hands-on activities, including open fire cooking, medical care, and spinning and weaving.

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The City Parks Foundation will host a number of events in and around the historic Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre throughout the day, including guided tours of the theatre and puppet shows.

Croquet and Lawn Bowling at the Lawn Sports Center: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The public can try their hand at Lawn Bowling and Croquet. Participants must wear sneakers or other flat-footed heels on the greens. Located at Sheep Meadow.

Central Park PAWS Celebrates Central Park’s 150th Birthday - 10:15 a.m.

The Central Park PAWS will organize a dog parade and birthday party at Cherry Hill located off of the 72nd Street Cross Drive. Parade starts at Cherry Hill.

New York City Police Department Band: 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The New York City Police Department band will perform at Bethesda Fountain and will be a part of the 150th Anniversary birthday cake cutting at Bethesda Terrace.

Birthday Cake at Bethesda Terrace (Press Event) - 11:00 a.m.

A ceremonial cake cutting of a beautiful cake replicating the Bethesda Fountain by Sylvia Weinstock. Renowned tenors, Marcelo Alvarez and Salvatore Licitra, will sing happy birthday.

Storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

There will be a storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen statue at the foot of East 74th Street.

Young Performers Theatre’s The Real Mother Goose: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Come meet the "real" Mother Goose at Heckscher Playground. Suitable for children ages 2-8.

Book Signing at the Dairy Visitors Center and Gift Shop: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sara Cedar Miller, the author of Central Park, An American Masterpiece will host a book signing at the Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

Walking Historical Tour of Central Park: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Urban Park Rangers will host a historical tour of Central Park. Highlights will include The Ramble, Bow Bridge, and Bethesda Terrace. Tours commence at Belvedere Castle.

Playground Parties: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Playground Parties will host performances of juggling, miming, magic, and bubble blowing. They will be held at: Billy Johnson, Levin, E. 96th, Bendheim, Heckscher, Adventure, Spector, Safari, Rudin, E. 110th.

The Great Hill Tour: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Great Hill

Margery Laird will host a tour that will introduce participants to the natural and cultural history of the Great Hill and North Woods environments.

Marcelo Alvarez and Salvatore Licitra in Concert: 8:00 p.m. at Great Lawn

The birthday celebration will conclude with a night of opera as acclaimed tenors Marcelo Alverez and Salvatore Licitra perform for the first time together in the United States. This concert is free and open to the public. Seating is on the lawn so bring a blanket.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The only credential the city [New York] asked was the boldness to dream.
For those who did, it unlocked its gates and its treasures,
not caring who they were or where they came from."

Moss Hart
1904-1961)

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Know Before You Go

Ice Skating Rinks
Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)
The Harlem Meer Center is closed in order to rebuild the facility to increase access to nearby communities and enhance year-round programming. For more information, visit Central Park Conservancy's Rebuilding Harlem Meer Center page.
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2024
Outdoor Pools
Harlem Meer Center
The Harlem Meer Center is closed in order to rebuild the facility to increase access to nearby communities and enhance year-round programming. For more information, visit Central Park Conservancy's Rebuilding Harlem Meer Center page.
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2025

Partner Organization

Central Park Conservancy

Contacts

Central Park Information: (212) 310-6600
Central Park Information (for the Hearing Impaired): (800) 281-5722
Belvedere Castle, The Henry Luce Nature Observatory: (212) 772-0210
The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center: (212) 860-1370
The Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop: (212) 794-6564
North Meadow Recreation Center: (212) 348-4867
Loeb Boathouse (Bike rentals, boat rentals & gondolas): (212) 517-2233
Carousel: (212) 879-0244
Fishing at Harlem Meer (Catch & Release): (212) 860-1370
Harlem Meer Performance Festival: (212) 860-1370
Horseback Riding - Claremont Stables: (212) 724-5100
Metropolitan Opera (Performances on the Great Lawn): (212) 362-6000
New York Philharmonic (Performances on the Great Lawn): (212) 875-5709
Shakespeare in the Park - The Public Theater at the Delacorte Theater: (212) 539-8655
Ice Skating - Lasker Rink: (917) 492-3856
Skating - Wollman Rink (Ice Skating & In-Line Skating): (212) 439-6900
Central Park SummerStage: (212) 360-2777
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater: (212) 988-9093
Tennis: (212) 280-0205
Weddings, Ceremonies and Photography at the Conservatory Garden: (212) 360-2766
Wildlife Center & Tisch Children's Zoo: (212) 439-6500