Central Park Landmarks
Wollman Rink Pedicab Tour in Central Park
Wollman Rink is Central Park's best-known ice skating rink, set at the south end of the park with the Midtown skyline rising behind it. It was built over the northern end of the Pond and has been a New York winter tradition since 1950.
Photo: Tomás Fano · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
Quick facts
- Where
- East side of the park at 63rd Street, near the Pond
- Opened
- December 1950
- Size
- about 28,000 square feet of ice
- Named for
- philanthropist Kate Wollman, in memory of her parents and four brothers
- Season
- ice skating typically runs from about October to April
Want to see Wollman Rink?
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History
Before Wollman Rink, New Yorkers skated on the Lake, about ten blocks north, where officials marked safe ice with red flags. The Lake was the first part of Central Park opened to the public, in winter 1858, and about 8,000 people skated there on Christmas morning. As the Lake stopped freezing reliably, the city looked for a permanent rink.
Philanthropist Kate Wollman donated $600,000 toward a roughly $750,000 rink in 1949. It was built over the northern end of the Pond and opened in December 1950. About 300,000 people visited in its first year. Wollman named the rink in memory of her parents and four brothers, and she also funded Lasker Rink at the north end of the park.
What to look for
- The skyline views from the ice
- The Pond beside the rink
- Skaters in winter, and an open view across the south end of the park in other seasons
Visiting Wollman Rink
Wollman Rink is in the busy south end of Central Park, near the Pond and Grand Army Plaza, and close to The Plaza Hotel. The rink's operator, hours, seasons and prices change, so check current details before you visit. The nearby restroom is inside the paid skating area and is not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Wollman Rink named after?
Philanthropist Kate Wollman, in memory of her parents and four brothers.
When did Wollman Rink open?
In December 1950.
Where is Wollman Rink?
On the east side of Central Park at about 63rd Street, near the Pond.
How big is Wollman Rink?
About 28,000 square feet of ice.
Sources
Nearby landmarks
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Want to see the rink and its skyline backdrop? Request a pedicab tour for your chosen date.
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