# The Restoration of the Lake: Bank Rock Bay

The work underway at Bank Rock Bay is part of a comprehensive initiative to restore the shoreline and surrounding landscapes of the Lake. Located at the heart of the Park, the Lake is the largest of its five manmade, naturalistic water bodies, and the last to be restored since the inception of the Conservancy's partnership with the City more than 25 years ago.

This restoration will enhance both the ecological and scenic character of an integral part of the Park. The intent is to renew the Lake in a manner that recalls its picturesque origins while recognizing its increasing significance as wildlife habitat. Reclaiming silted coves and increasing water depth by removing sediment in strategic locations will improve the water quality and long-term health of the Lake. Boulder placement and edge plantings will stabilize the shoreline and surrounding slopes. The variety of plantings will be augmented to add visual interest as well as contribute to a more diverse wildlife habitat. Selective pruning and transplanting will open key views and improve growing conditions for new plantings. Paths and infrastructure will be rebuilt to support the use and maintenance of the landscape.

Work on the Lake shoreline and surrounding landscapes will proceed in phases over the next several years, beginning with the restoration of Bank Rock Bay.

Named for the steep rock outcrops that line its shores, Bank Rock Bay is situated at one of the main entrances to the Ramble. Over time, the scenic qualities that once defined this sequestered cove at the northern tip of the Lake have become obscured. Sedimentation has substantially reduced its original surface area and isolated it from the Lake. Extensive erosion has compromised the sloping shoreline, and the upland landscape has become overgrown with invasive plants. Former views into and across the cove are no longer discernable, and the historic footbridge that originally crossed into the Ramble at the mouth of the cove has been replaced by an unremarkable bridge of floor planks and iron pipe railing. The purpose of this project is to enhance the scenic value of Bank Rock Bay while reinforcing the qualities that make it a popular birding destination.

Bank Rock Bay, 19th century view

## Highlights of the project to restore Bank Rock Bay include:

- Removing invasive nonnative vegetation and replanting with suitable and diverse woodland, aquatic, and edge plantings

- Selectively pruning to provide increased sunlight to landscape plantings and to establish views of the cove from key locations

- Reconstructing paths and improving amenities, such as benches and lighting, to enhance the public's enjoyment of the landscape

- Removing accumulated sediments to increase the surface area and depth of the cove and reconnect it to the Lake

- Stabilizing the shoreline with boulders and constructing aquatic planting shelves to establish habitat for fish and waterfowl

- Upgrading storm drainage and irrigation infrastructure to support the landscape enhancements

- Replacing the existing footbridge with a reproduction of the original

CENTRAL PARK
CONSERVANCY

www.centralparknyc.org

A.J.C. Smith, Chairman
Douglas Blonsky, President &
Central Park Administrator

City of New York
Parks & Recreation
www.nyc.gov/parks

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
Adrian Benepe, Commissioner

Leadership support for the restoration of Bank Rock Bay has been provided by
**The Gilbert & Ildiko Butler Conservation Fund**, Richard Gilder & Lois Chiles,
Robert W. Wilson, and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

For further information, or to support the work of the Conservancy, please call 212-310-6600.

* Removing invasive nonnative vegetation and replanting with suitable and diverse woodland, aquatic, and edge plantings

* Selectively pruning to provide increased sunlight to landscape plantings and to establish views of the cove from key locations

* Reconstructing paths and improving amenities, such as benches and lighting, to enhance the public's enjoyment of the landscape

* Removing accumulated sediments to increase the surface area and depth of the cove and reconnect it to the Lake

* Stabilizing the shoreline with boulders and constructing aquatic planting shelves to establish habitat for fish and waterfowl

* Upgrading storm drainage and irrigation infrastructure to support the landscape enhancements

* Replacing the existing footbridge with a reproduction of the original

CENTRAL PARK
CONSERVANCY

www.centralparknyc.org

www.nyc.gov/parks

CENTRAL PARK
CONSERVANCY

www.centralparknyc.org