Like many features of the 1858 “Greensward” plan for Central Park, the flower garden that was supposed to be built at 74th Street and Fifth Avenue never made it off the blueprint.
But in the 1930s, when the glass conservatory and greenhouses (below, in 1900) that were erected at Fifth Avenue and 105th proved too costly to maintain, parks director Robert Moses had them torn down—and plans for a European-style garden were drawn.
The result was the Conservatory Garden, which opened in 1937, a six-acre expanse of fountains, walkways, and lush and enchanting gardens in every direction.
Stepping into it feels like walking into a secret, a hidden oasis where the only sounds are the chorus of singing birds and the occasional human gasp at the sight of a curious raccoon.
To get in, you pass through a cast-iron gate designed in France for the Vanderbilt mansion down Fifth Avenue on 58th Street; when the mansion was torn down, the Victorian-era gate ended up here.
Past the gate is a rectangular landscaped lawn, and the garden splits into three distinct styles: one English, one French, and one Italian. Flowers in a kaleidoscope of colors greet you on the walking paths.
“Thousands of hardy perennials, leafy shrubs, clinging vines and countless varieties of red, yellow, blue, and purple flowers are planted in symmetrical designs,” wrote the New York Times on the garden’s dedication day.
Two fountains in the park will trick you into thinking you’re in a time warp. “Three Dancing Maidens” was designed in 1910 and presented to the Conservatory Garden in the 1940s.
The Burnett Fountain of a bronze boy and girl surrounded by real water lilies under which koi goldfish swim is based on the characters in “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Why it’s so sparsely visited is a mystery. Maybe it’s too far uptown, or the Lexington train is too long a walk; perhaps the Fifth Avenue entrance makes it difficult for people already in the park to stumble upon it and fall in love with its beauty.
But for serenity, shade, and the scent of magnolias, or just to get lost in another world for a while, this is the loveliest spot in the city.
[Third photo: MCNY; X2010.7.1.79]
Tags: Central Park Garden, Central Park Greensward Plan, Conservatory Garden, Fifth Avenue Gardens, Gardens of Central Park, Vanderbilt Gates Central Park, Vanderbilt Mansion Fifth Avenue
July 17, 2017 at 10:49 am |
A lovely spot indeed. Have not been there in a few years. Thanks for the reminder.
July 17, 2017 at 10:57 am |
When I was young I thought it was some rich person’s private garden, big forbidding gate and all.
July 17, 2017 at 7:41 pm |
Thanks for telling us about all these *magical* places Ephemeral!
I’m glad that at least this gate was *recycled* from the manse.
I don’t think I have ever been there. Has anyone ever lived long enough to see all the beautiful & interesting & out of the way places in NY? ❤
July 17, 2017 at 10:09 pm |
Yes! Thank you for reminding me!!!
July 18, 2017 at 1:29 am |
This magnificent space is just across 5th avenue from the Museum of the City of New York. That museum is yet another treasure of New York. If you can do both in the same day.
July 18, 2017 at 2:14 am |
To Yorkvilleresident
I love that museum! It has amazing shows!
July 18, 2017 at 1:10 pm |
Yes, the Museum of the City of New York is wonderful—and after seeing an exhibit there, come to this garden! You will be transported.
July 19, 2017 at 10:53 am |
LOVE IT THERE! When I was in grad school and did clinical at Mt. Sinai, I would go there to regain my sanity!
July 19, 2017 at 11:50 am |
I walk through the garden regularly. I wouldn’t call it sparsely visited. It seems about the same as surrounding areas of Central Park which is, overall, less crowded than downtown. Also, in October, they let people come in and take as many chrysanthemum plants as they can carry when they change them out.
July 19, 2017 at 2:23 pm |
We walked through the Conservatory Garden several years ago because Cooper-Hewitt was closed for remodeling. It was raining but still had numerous visitors. Also there was a wedding that we got to see. A nice surprise for us and one of our favorite places now. We walked past the Museum of the City of New York. Back then it didn’t look that good on the outside, so we skipped it. But this year we visited it and Cooper-Hewitt. Both museums are very well maintained now. Another great day in NYC.
July 20, 2017 at 6:30 pm |
[…] A magical garden nobody knows in Central Park: [Ephemeral New York]: Like many features of the 1858 “Greensward” plan for Central Park, the flower garden that was supposed to be built at 74th Street and Fifth Avenue never made it off the blueprint. […]
July 21, 2017 at 11:02 pm |
Andrea Raskin
This exquisit New York City landmark has remained relatively unknown to tourists and New Yorkers alike. This is a positive thing because this stunning garden remains relatively quite. One day, as a volunteer at the Meer, it was necessary for me to help out at the Conservatory Garden. That started my 15 year weekly volunteer dedication to the Garden. As so much of NYC becomes gentrified, people no longer hesitate visiting the North end of the park where the Conservatory Garden is located at 105th Street and 5th Avenue. Extra bonus: Museum of the City of NY and El Museo Del Barrio are located directly across 5th Avenue. The beautiful Meer and the Dana Center are a short walk North from the Conservatory Garden
August 1, 2017 at 5:25 pm |
[…] via A magical garden nobody knows in Central Park — Ephemeral New York […]
August 14, 2017 at 6:16 pm |
good
May 25, 2019 at 2:41 am |
The flower beds in front of the place where you rent sailboats are infested with bold rats. Maybe I will try this uptown place to draw plants.
July 22, 2019 at 4:50 am |
[…] rock wall, apparently a retaining wall from one of the original buildings, still stands behind the Conservatory Garden not far from a stone that marks the former site of the college (above […]