Belvedere Castle Closes for Renovation

Belvedere Castle. Photo courtesy DNAInfo

Whether you call it a facelift, renovation or repair, the popular Belvedere Castle in Central Park closes Feb. 26, 2018 for much-needed tender loving care that will take a year or more.

Belvedere Castle was built in 1842, and the last renovation was in the 1980s, so it’s due for a tweaking. That includes adding access vor visitors with disabilities, repair deterioration to its wood pavilions, terraces and stairs.

Just in case you think your kitchen or bathroom renovation is complicated, here’s what’s on the list for Belvedere Castle:

• New draining and waterproofing systems for walls and terraces
• Clean and reset masonry
• Restore wood pavilions and recreate decorative wood tower at northwest corner
• Replace hexagonal asphalt pavers installed in the 1980s fix with square bluestone pavers in a checkered pattern, similar to the original 1800s pattern.
• Windows, the main entrance door, and the upper terrace doors will be replaced with clear-pane glass to mimic the castle’s original appearance as an open-air pavilion.
• Replace interior with 1800s-style bluestone ceiling and floor panels, and modernize mechanical
• Regrade and realign the existing park paths between the East Drive and the castle to make it more accessible.

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Also closing for renovations are two popular playgrounds in Central Park.

photo credit Central Park Conservancy

Bernard Family Playground, East 108th St.

One of the original Robert Moses playgrounds built in the 1930s, it was reconstructed in 1991, but needs upgrades to meet current safety standards and rebuild the water spray area to conserve water, not waste water. Swings will be re-alligned to allow more room for swinging, new climbing and sandbox features will be added, and the playground will be repaved.

Billy Johnson Playground, East 67th St.

One of the newer Central Park playgrounds, it was built in the early 1980s, and requires updating for accessibility and safety rules introduced after its opening.  Bucket swings will be replaced, a climbing net will be added in the sand area, and the water wasting spray under the stone bridge will be replaced by spray jets that don’t waste water.  The playground also will be repaved and new rustic seating areas added that fit with the natural stone motif of the playgound.

Central Park official website