Central Park Lake

Paul thought this lovely scene might be typical of what you’d see on a summer Sunday afternoon. Conservatory Water, commonly known as the Model Boat Pond in Central Park, was inspired by the model boat ponds popular in late 19th century Paris. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the landscape architects who designed Central Park, originally planned this area as part of their "Greensward Plan" to feature a small reflecting pool alongside a glass conservatory and formal flower garden. But when the costs of building and maintaining the conservatory proved prohibitive, the plans were revised, and the area evolved into what is now Conservatory Water, a space for model boat sailing enjoyed by children and adults.