a giant pool opens in new york's central park – see what the new davis center will look like

The New Davis Center transforms Central Park’s North End

This Saturday, April 26, 2025, New York City officially opens a major addition to Central Park, the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer. Designed by architect Susan T Rodriguez in collaboration with Mitchell Giurgola, the renovation project replaces the old Lasker Rink and pool with a recreational facility that’s built directly into the landscape, restoring nature, reconnecting paths, and creating a year-round space for community activity. At the heart of the new design is a transformative water feature that shifts with the seasons, from a skating rink in winter to a lush green lawn in spring and fall and a pool in the summer.

Located at its northeast corner, the new Davis Center is part of a broader initiative by the Central Park Conservancy to restore the landscape, enhance ecological health, and reopen one of the most picturesque, yet historically overlooked, areas of Manhattan’s historic urban oasis.

all images courtesy of Susan T Rodriguez and Central Park Conservancy

Susan T Rodriguez designs a new chapter for the harlem meer

The old Lasker facility, built in the 1960s, had serious issues. It blocked the natural flow of water between the Ravine and the Harlem Meer and made it hard for people to walk through the area. The updated design by the New York-based architecture and design firm Susan T Rodriguez clears that barrier. The Loch stream once again flows above ground into the Meer, and visitors can walk along it through Huddlestone Arch, restoring the kind of natural experience Olmsted and Vaux originally envisioned for Central Park.

This stream is part of a newly restored natural system that includes a freshwater marsh, small islands, and a boardwalk where visitors can fish, watch birds, or enjoy being close to the water. As the weather gets colder, the boardwalk becomes part of a new skating ribbon, extending recreational use beyond the summer months.

the project replaces the old Lasker Rink and pool with a new recreational facility

long glass facade reflects the pool

The new Davis Center is tucked into the slope of the landscape. From above, you barely see it. A green roof stretches across the building, blending into the park and acting as a public overlook with views across the pool and landscape. The building is carved into the earth, keeping a low profile and protecting the environment around it. A long glass facade faces the pool, with large doors that open in warm months to create a shaded, breezy, porch-like space. Behind a curved stone wall, the building houses changing rooms, restrooms, rentals, and a small café.

The center’s new oval-shaped pool sits lower than the old one, surrounded by a gently sloped grassy berm. In winter, the pool becomes an ice-skating rink, making the site a destination in every season. A splash pad at the end of the water feature offers extra water play in the summer. By integrating the design into the natural shape of the land, the architects were able to open up the space around the pool and allow the landscape to flow around it, resulting in a setting that feels like it’s always been there.

a transformative water feature that shifts with the seasons

the building pursues leed gold certification

Sustainability was a core part of the project. The building is expected to earn LEED Gold certification, thanks to features like passive ventilation, locally sourced stone and wood, energy-efficient systems, and a roof that absorbs rainwater. Bird-safe glass helps protect local wildlife, and recycled materials from the old building were reused during construction. Even more important, the new center supports free and low-cost programming year-round, including education, nature walks, community events, and recreation. It’s designed to welcome all kinds of visitors—from families and school groups to joggers, birdwatchers, and casual parkgoers.

visitors can walk along the Loch stream through Huddlestone Arch