The reservoir path prior to restoration.
After a major restoration project, the Central Park Reservoir track will reopen next week with a ceremony and a ceremonial inaugural run. The Central Park Conservancy has been working on the track in sections, so that runners were able to run on different portions of the track and then had to transfer to the bridle path below at certain sections. The conservancy is holding a brief opening ceremony Wednesday.
“It’s one of the most scenic spots to exercise in New York City, and now, after a complete restoration, the 1.58-mile Reservoir running track is ready to welcome runners back. Over the past year Central Park Conservancy has overseen an upgrade that corrected chronic erosion and drainage issues resulting from years of wear and tear on the popular loop. Working in phases so people could still enjoy their run, the Conservancy put the finishing touches on the project this week. In addition to improvements to the track surface, the Conservancy has added a dedicated track crew to help maintain the area and additional signage and to keep the traffic flowing smoothly. The track will be re-named the Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track in honor of the Shumans’ generous donation that provided significant funding for the reconstruction project and will also be supporting the long term operations maintenance of the site. The Shumans will also be on hand for the event.”
What time is the ceremony on Wednesday?
“After a major restoration project, the Central Park Reservoir track will reopen next week with a ceremony and a ceremonial inaugural run.”
During which time, as per tradition, it will be clogged with tourists walking three and four abreast in the wrong direction.
The real question is whether there will be any effort to enforce the rules against bikes, dogs, and strollers, all of which degrade the surface that was just restored
Meh. The surface is lightly packed gravel. I doubt a stroller is really tearing it up that much.
From doing my hundreds of laps around the reservoir (honestly, the bridal path is more interesting) you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Nobody rides their bikes on the path. Nobody walks their dog on the path. You do see strollers, but they usually get yelled at.
More annoying are the giant groups of tourists that take up the entire path. Big deal, run around them. Jump in pictures. Its New York, grow a pair.
Meh. Bicycles (mostly tourists) on the Reservoir Track is dangerous to say the least. Cyclists should stay on the roads and off sidewalks and paths.
Totally agree with Gerry’s comment. There used to be signs posted on the fence at regular intervals but now they are all gone. There are plenty of other places for strollers, dogs and bicycle riders to enjoy the park. Leave the reservoir track to walkers and joggers.
The reservoir has become an obstacle course, and after years of running there, I take the bridle path if anything at all. I have seen hoards of people walking across the path, people in wheelchairs, and runners tripping over a half dozen bicycles parked on the path. It is sad that there is no enforcement on the reservoir, so that it can be used as it was designed to be-a running path. There have been numerous complaints made to the Central Park Conservancy who seem to have no real interest in monitoring the reservoir. Why is it that New York has no interest in having a running path in Central Park? Is it because it’s used by actual resident taxpayers who simply are ignored.
Hey Debbie D., I was jogging on the track this past Friday in the late afternoon when I was startled and overtaken by a couple on bikes. I (in a firm but non-threatening manner) called out to them that no bikes were allowed on the path (whilst pointing to the sign indicating the same) and they just kept going …