Joint Parks & Landmarks

WHEREAS, The North Harlem Meer is located in Central Park on West 110^th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Lenox Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The project will reconstruct the North Harlem Meer landscape, shoreline and playground; and

WHEREAS, The presentation encompassed final details concerning a project that was recently approved by Community Board Five; and

WHEREAS, The additional details included no changes from the previously approved project; and

WHEREAS, The presentation further explained, but did not change, any elements that had been previously approved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board 5 recommends approval of the final plan for reconstruction of the North Harlem Meer and further thanks the Central Park Conservancy for continuing to provide an enhanced level of information on reconstruction projects such as the North Harlem Meer.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 30 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Tots Playground is located inside Central Park between 67^th and 68^th Streets near Central Park West; and

WHEREAS, The project is part of the Central Park Conservancy's plan to raise each of Central Park's playgrounds to a standard of excellent as outlined in a detailed plan "for rebuilding managing Central Park's playgrounds;" and

WHEREAS, The Tots Playground was constructed in 1956 was the last created during the administration of Robert Moses as the solution to a long dispute with the neighborhood concerning the use of this space just north of Tavern on the Green; and

WHEREAS, The playground, which was just 1/3 the size of typical Central Park playgrounds, was renovated in 1968 based on a design by Richard Dattner, who also redesigned the adjacent "Adventure Playground" in 1966; and

WHEREAS, The playground was renovated in 1987; and

WHEREAS, The area surrounding the playground was renovated in 1996 to remove redundant pathways and reconfigure paths to better integrate with the landscape and add plantings; and

WHEREAS, The Tots Playground is located in a busy area and closely bordered by paths connecting to various Central Park destinations; and

WHEREAS, The equipment in Tots Playground is over 20 years old and its features are worn and outdated; and

WHEREAS, The proximity of Tots Playground to the Adventure Playground permits the features to focus on those particularly well-suited to toddlers, including small-scaled equipment; and

WHEREAS, The playground is used heavily; and

WHEREAS, The goals of the reconstruction are to improve the relationship of the playground to Central Park by addressing site lines, circulation and landscape; to enhance the relationship between the two playgrounds; and to improve the playground experience by young users; and

WHEREAS, The reconstruction encompasses modification of the playground's footprint from rectilinear to a circular shape, which will better recede from view when observed in the Park; and

WHEREAS, It further includes a variety of new play equipment and the introduction of a water feature; and

WHEREAS, The reconstruction also includes a low seat wall with a fence that weaves through landscape plantings for security, accessible park paths, and supplemental plantings for a strengthened relationship between the playground and the park; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the plan for reconstruction of the Tots Playground located inside Central Park between 67th and 68th Streets near Central Park West.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Tavern on the Green in Central Park, sited in a landmarked building planned as a sheepfold built by Calvert Vaux in 1870, remains as one of the oldest and best loved original structures in the park, having been first converted to restaurant use in 1934 under the Moses administration with alterations to the building continuing into the 21^st century; and

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy and the New York Department of Parks and Recreation have undertaken a project to restore the facilities and reorient the function of Tavern on the Green (the "Project"); and

WHEREAS, The objectives of the Project are, to the extent possible, to restore the structure to its 1934 footprint, to reduce and reorient the structure to make it more integrated with the park, and to revise the restaurant to orient its service toward park-users rather than toward catered events and customers external to the park; and

WHEREAS, Aspects of the Project including demolition of certain features of the existing building have already taken place without review and approval by the impacted Community Boards, including Community Board Five; and

WHEREAS, The preliminary architectural plan presented to the Parks and Landmarks Committees of Community Board Five includes a proposed modern aluminum and glass curtain wall whose design, colors and other features are not available to Community Board Five at this time and whose features may not be consistent with the historic fabric of the building; and

WHEREAS, An RFP has been issued for the services of a new restaurant concessionaire and Community Board Seven ("CB7"), whose territory is adjacent to the facility, has had input on that RFP and has adopted a resolution regarding the selection criteria for the concessionaire and the character of the restaurant service that will be provided by the concession; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the general plans and objectives of The Tavern on the Green Project in Central Park; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends disapproval of the proposed preliminary design for an aluminum and glass curtain wall pending additional information on the characteristics of the wall to ensure that they are in keeping with the historical nature of the building; and be it further

RESOLVED, Community Board Five hereby endorses the RFP and operational aspects of the Project in the resolution as adopted by CB7, which is attached hereto; and be it further

 RESOLVED Community Board Five send a letter to the Manhattan Borough President expressing the Board's concern that aspects of the Project have proceeded without review and input of the appropriate Community Boards and stating that those Community Boards should have been consulted before any demolition of the existing building took place and those Community Boards should be consulted before succeeding decisions regarding the Project.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 29 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining and 1 present but not entitled.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has presented to Community Board Five a detailed informational overview of their proposed reconstruction of the Reservoir East Landscape; and

WHEREAS, This project is part of the Conservancy's effort to restore the east side landscapes of Central Park stretching from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Harlem Meer, rehabilitating elements of both Olmsted and Vaux's original design as well as landscape architect Samuel Parsons Jr.'s improvements of 1903-1911, with a focus on establishing a continuous park experience; and

WHEREAS, The project site consists of the landscape on either side of the East Drive from 86th to 96th Street, including the vegetated slope between the roadway and the bridle path on the west side of the drive, and the pedestrian path and marginal landscape between the roadway and perimeter wall on the east side; and

WHEREAS, The Reservoir East landscape has not been comprehensively restored since the early twentieth century, with original design features having greatly diminished over time; and

WHEREAS, This project has the following stated design goals:

1.      To minimize the urban character of the drive through a comprehensive planting designed to create a sense of continuity and enclosure, reestablishing the country road quality of the original design and evoking the horticultural character of Parsons' "Rhododendron Mile" of 1908;

2.      To improve the pedestrian experience by addressing aging pavements and inadequate drainage infrastructure, and by reinforcing the separation between the drive and pedestrian path through the addition of plantings and, where possible, changes in grade;

3.      To improve storm water management and growing conditions that will be used in combination with soil amendment and updated irrigation infrastructure to ensure that the horticultural improvements are sustained while using potable water as efficiently as possible; and

WHEREAS, The proposed restoration and rehabilitation work includes:

1.      Reconstructing the pedestrian path with new porous asphalt paving, new tree wells with granite curbs, drainage infrastructure, pipe rail fence, and new site furnishings, and raising it to an elevation slightly above the roadway by increasing the slope of the marginal landscape between it and the roadway, as per its original design;

2.      Replacing the granite block margin between the pedestrian path and the drive with a planting bed containing evergreen groundcover punctuated with low shrub masses; Planting new canopy trees in margin where large gaps exist to reestablish the consistent canopy of the original sycamore maples; and replacing aging trees with new trees according to a long-term plan;

3.      Installing structural soil mix to enlarge the root zone of new plantings;

4.      Removing invasive species and vegetation in poor condition from the slope between the pedestrian path and perimeter wall; Improving soils with addition of organic matter; Adding fill where possible to bring slope up closer to top of wall, increasing the sense of separation from the city and improving the planting conditions; Adding plantings to provide shade, fill gaps, and obscure views of Fifth Avenue;

5.      Recreating a sense of Parsons' "Rhododendron Mile" in the area between the drive and bridle trail with new plantings of rhododendrons, azaleas and groundcover in undulating drifts; Planting new canopy trees closer to the drive to fill gaps, provide shade, and restore the historic "country road" character of the landscape;

6.      Installing additional irrigation infrastructure to serve areas between bridle trail and drive and between drive and perimeter wall; and

WHEREAS, The budget for this project is projected at roughly $2.5 million, to be funded by the Conservancy and the City; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five supports the proposed reconstruction and restoration work; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy's proposal for the reconstruction of the Reservoir East Landscape.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has presented to Community Board Five a detailed informational overview of their proposed reconstruction of the North Harlem Meer Landscape, Shoreline, and the 110^th Street Playground; and

WHEREAS, This project is part of the Conservancy's effort to restore the Harlem Meer landscape, reversing the urbanizing impact of twentieth-century projects that dramatically altered its historic character; and

WHEREAS, This project is a continuation of the Conservancy's work to increase the opportunities for patrons to interact with the landscape, and to develop an innovative play space for children that better integrates the play experience into the park, based on their comprehensive plan for the park's playgrounds, Plan for Play; and

WHEREAS, This project has the following stated design goals:

1.      To restore and enhance the character of the landscape on the north side of the Meer;

2.      To provide traditional play equipment and features within a landscape setting that blurs the boundary between the playground and the park while still maintaining the security of a playground;

3.      To provide opportunities for landscape play within a dedicated and contained space that offers children more latitude to explore relatively freely and independently, and fosters their relationship to the park; and

WHEREAS, The proposed alteration and restoration work includes:

1.      Reconstructing the landscape surrounding the playground, including realignment and re-grading of park paths, reconstruction of drainage infrastructure, lawn restoration, and extension and planting of the shoreline, to enhance the landscape character and improve access to and circulation around the playground as well as its physical and functional connection to the park;

2.      Reconstructing the playground as a series of distinct play spaces shaped as overlapping circles connected by a meandering path, each with their own play equipment and features for active play, including swings, climbers, and a water spray feature, while retaining the general size of the existing playground;

3.      Relocating the playground slightly to the north, providing improved access to the Meer and creating open play areas outside the playground for older children, with secure gated entrances to the east and west, and a new, minimally visible fence that will allow for some new planting inside the playground meant for "secure landscape play" for younger children;

4.      Creating a transitional zone for landscape play around and between the structured play spaces, using plantings, natural materials, and informal gathering spaces, to define a park-like environment with opportunities for exploration and social play;

5.      Rebuilding pathways with ADA-compliant handrails where the grade requires; and

WHEREAS, The budget for this project is projected at roughly $3 million, to be funded by the Conservancy; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five supports the proposed reconstruction and restoration work; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of Central Park Conservancy's proposal for the reconstruction of the North Harlem Meer Landscape, Shoreline, and the 110^th Street Playground.

The above resolution passed  by a vote of 37 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Central Park is a NYC Scenic Landmark and the Belgian restaurant chain (23 in Manhattan), Le Pain Quotidien, as a result of a  Parks Department  RFP, has been designated as the operator of a cafe in the Mineral Springs building at the north end of the Sheep Meadow in Central Park, roughly between 69th and 70th Streets; and

WHEREAS, The cafe will occupy 1,600 sq. ft. of the 4,000 sq. ft. building, the remainder of the building continuing to be used by the Parks Department for maintenance purposes and public rest rooms; and

WHEREAS, The new occupant will require substantial improvements for its operation which replaces a snack bar, now closed, which modifications have been approved by the Parks Department and two other Community Boards adjacent to Central Park; and

WHEREAS, The principal changes to this building, which dates back to 1958-9 and is not considered historically important, include:

1.            Removal of an exterior metal roll-up gate which was above a counter for serving hot dogs, etc. to be replaced by wooden accordion doors

2.            Restoration of two windows on the side of the building which are in disrepair

3.            Replacement of hollow metal door at the rear of the building with similar door

4.            Placement of 20 tables and 40 chairs on the terrace, all removable for storage inside the cafe at night

5.            New discreet signage with halo lighting; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 30% of the seats will be available for non-customers of the cafe; and

WHEREAS, The hours of operation will be 7 am to 7 pm; and

WHEREAS, The applicant intends to serve only beer and wine and agreed to come before CB 5's PSQL Committee for review if required; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Le Pain Quotidien capital improvement project at Central Park Mineral Springs building.

The above resolution passed by a vote of 31 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining.

WHEREAS, Bryant Park Corporation, the applicant, is proposing to modify and upgrade the design of the lighting in Bryant Park and to install additional lighting throughout the Park; and

WHEREAS, Bryant Park, a New York City Scenic Landmark, is a formal French style garden designed in 1933 by Lusby Simpson, and was reconstructed and partially redesigned by Hanna/Olin in 1988-91; and

 WHEREAS, In years subsequent to the 1988-91 reconstruction, Bryant Park has become the host of special events throughout the year, which have substantially increased the number of visitors; and

WHEREAS, Several of the events such as Thursdays at 5 live music performances, HBO/Bryant Park Film Festival, Fashion Week, The Pond at Bryant Park ice skating, and The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park are conducted in the evening hours, having people in the park after dark, even as late as midnight; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes:

• To reduce operational maintenance
• Control energy usage
• Increase lighting (illuminance) levels, both measured and perceived (vertical levels)
• Reinforce the nighttime sense of the "urban room"
• Create greater lighting "flexibility" in response to diverse usage ; and

WHEREAS, The new light pole fixtures will be similar in design to the existing fixtures, except that they

• Will have twin instead of single globes
• Will contain an electrical outlet for seasonal displays
• Will be on dimmer switches so that they can be gradually turned down in the later hours of the evening or turned to very low levels when necessary; and

 WHEREAS, Certain other elements of the park will also be enhanced by installation of uplighting fixtures:

• Ingrade metal halide lights at statuary
• Ingrade LED uplights at balustrades
• Uplight enhancement at rear wall of the Public Library; and

WHEREAS, The new lighting configuration is designed to illuminate parts of the park less frequented at night because they are less inviting to the public, especially in the winter months; and

WHEREAS, An increase of the illuminance levels is beneficial to evening visitors, in that better lighting equates a deterrent to the criminal element while accommodating safer accessibility into and out of the Park; and

WHEREAS, The applicant will obtain approval of the changes from NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and the Public Art Commission; and

WHEREAS, The proposed design is harmonious with the existing historic park and its surroundings; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to modify and upgrade the lighting throughout Bryant Park.

WHEREAS, The applicant, the Trump Organization , has requested a certificate of appropriateness for modifications and improvements to the Loula D. Lasker Swimming Pool and Skating Rink, located in the north end of Central Park; and

WHEREAS, The facility was designed in 1963 and built over the subsequent years, and its condition warrants such repairs; and

WHEREAS, The Parks Department has requested such improvements in exchange for a concession to operate the facility; and

WHEREAS, The applicant has successfully overseen a similar renovation of Wollman Rink in the southern end of Central Park; and

WHEREAS, The applicant proposes to relocate the stairs, replace the hand railings, add office and concession space, remove the chin link fence, add planting beds and rolling security gate; and

WHEREAS, All modifications contribute to increased functionality and safety of the facility; and

WHEREAS, The 4 blue fountains will remain intact; and

WHEREAS, The applicant's architect has successfully responded to comments and concerns of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission; and

WHEREAS, The material selection and detailing are sympathetic and complimentary to the original design; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the Lasker Rink Improvements.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.   

WHEREAS, The application is for a lighting plan and the decorative painting of cast iron ceiling components; and

WHEREAS, The restoration of the historic Minton tile ceiling in the Bethesda Terrace Arcade is underway, and the Conservancy's restoration proposal as initially approved did not address the lighting of the ceiling or the decorative painting of its ornamental cast iron suspension framework; and

WHEREAS, At that time, the applicant proposed to design both the ceiling lighting and decorative painting in the context of restored panels that would allow them to prepare mock-ups, and the Conservancy has since developed the design of these elements accordingly; and

WHEREAS, No provision for artificial light was made in the original design of the Arcade, and the only integral lighting element in Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould's design was a skylight of colored glass, and the architects intended that the Arcade's floor and ceiling, both of which were originally encaustic tile (the current floor dates to 1912), would serve to brighten the space by reflecting indirect natural light; and

WHEREAS, Artificial lighting has been introduced to the Arcade in conjunction with the programmed use of the space at various periods in its history, and large pendant globe fixtures, suspended from the intersections of the ceiling's ornamental cast iron suspension grid, were installed as part of the restoration work of the 1980's; and

WHEREAS, The objectives of the lighting design for the Arcade are to light the Arcade by enabling the highly reflective surface of the restored Minton tile ceiling to illuminate the space as intended and respect the historic architectural and decorative fabric of the Arcade by adopting a minimalist approach to the fixture itself, and avoiding schemes that would require fixtures to be surface-mounted to the sandstone which contributed to its deterioration in the past; and

WHEREAS, The proposed design to achieve these objectives consists of:

• Installing a series of small halogen up-lights suspended from the cast iron ceiling
• Frame work at regular intervals, generally two fixtures per cast iron rib segment at each side of the tile panels
• Each fixture would measure approximately 5x2 in. x 7.5 in. with a curved underside and lens
• The fixtures would be suspended below and parallel to the cast iron ribs, directly beneath two of the twelve" holly leaf" elements that run down the center of each rib segment
• The fixtures would be suspended 24 in. below the ceiling at a height of fourteen feet above the floor
• The proposed finish for the fixtures and suspension is an anodized metallic finish in a neutral warm-gray, antique-bronze color
• No fixtures are to be suspended from the cast iron segments down the center of the ceiling or along the Arcade walls; and

WHEREAS, In absence of clear information about the color scheme, the design team established that the original cast iron treatment most likely included gold, and implemented a color scheme consisting of an artificial gold finish and tnemic paint in a single-color, and based on this analysis of relevant theory and utilizing a precedent design approach to the decorative painting of the cast iron ceiling components, gold will be used on the areas of highest relief , blue will serve as the mediating color, and red-brown will be used on receding areas; and

WHEREAS, Community Board Five was impressed with the effort put forth by the Conservancy to restore the Bethesda terrace arcade ceiling to its original splendor; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to paint the cast iron parts of the ceiling and install new lighting of the historic Minton tile ceiling in the Bethesda Terrace Arcade.

WHEREAS, The application is to install an 8-inch wide granite band around the Imagine Mosaic in Central Park; and

WHEREAS, In the course of the Central Park Conservancy’s ongoing efforts to conserve the Imagine Mosaic, they have identified additional measures that would be helpful in preventing future deterioration; and

WHEREAS, Water infiltration has been a major cause of cracks in the mosaic, popping tiles and the deterioration of the concrete foundation, which have become increasingly evident over the past year; and

WHEREAS, In addition to repaving the surrounding area, the Central Park Conservancy plans to address the water infiltration problem by creating a sealed joint between the pavement and the perimeter of the mosaic by proposing to add an 8-inch-wide granite band, flush with the perimeter of the mosaic and black to match the surrounding asphalt pavement, which would enable the Central Park Conservancy to create the sealed joint; and

WHEREAS, The proposed solution is not a panacea, but would postpone using more radical measures; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to install an 8-inch wide granite band around the Imagine Mosaic in Central Park.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 29 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.     

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has filed an application for the reconstruction of the East 85th Street Playground in Central Park (also known as Ancient Playground); and

WHEREAS, The East 85th Street Playground occupies a footprint of approximately 36,000 square feet and is entered through a single gate located at the eastern perimeter on Fifth Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The existing playground has gone largely unimproved since its last reconstruction in 1972, and the Central Park Conservancy seeks to:

• Enhance the playground design by renovating existing play structures and adding new equipment;

• Make the playground more responsive to contemporary users;

• Reconfigure and architecturally restore the playground's comfort station;

• Upgrade the playground to bring it within compliance of current ADA standards; and

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy will utilize materials in the reconstruction that are sensitive to the history and the original design of the playground; and

WHEREAS, Part of this proposed reconstruction calls for the restoration and reinstallation of the ornamental Osborn Gates, (commissioned in the 1950's and completed by Paul Manship) for which approval is not sought at this time; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for the proposed reconstruction with the understanding that the specific plan for the Osborn Gates and the signage for the playground will be reviewed by the Board at a future time.

WHEREAS, The Central Park Conservancy has proposed to restore the Central Park Lake shoreline and landscaping; and

WHEREAS, This project will address the deteriorated condition of the Lake edge and adjacent landscape through reconstruction of the shoreline and the surrounding pedestrian paths in their existing configurations; and

WHEREAS, The four general project goals are to improve water quality, enhance landscape character, promote wildlife habitat, and restore historic architectural structures; and

WHEREAS, The project will be phased over a five-year period and carefully managed to minimize impact on the Park and its users; and

WHEREAS, The first construction phase, proposed to begin in summer 2006 with substantial completion in winter 2007, will restore the northwest cove known as Bank Rock Bay and its surrounding landscape; and

WHEREAS, Subsequent phases will be scheduled as the work progresses and as funds become available; and

WHEREAS, Since the five-year duration of the Lake project requires a level of community outreach not typically associated with a single capital project, The Central Park Conservancy will provide periodic updates on the progress and proposed phasing via the surrounding Community Boards; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to restore the Central Park Lake shoreline and landscaping.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 37 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.