A bronze sled dog installed in 1925 to honor the Siberian Husky who led the final leg of the serum run to Nome, Alaska — and one of Central Park's most beloved sculptures, worn bright and smooth by a century of children climbing on its back.
The bronze sled dog commemorating Balto, the Siberian Husky who led the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska — a 674-mile relay through blizzard conditions to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to an isolated community. Installed in Central Park in 1925, the same year as the run, while Balto was still alive. The bronze has been worn smooth by a century of children climbing on it. The 1995 animated film Balto is based on this story. Open 24 hours. Free.
Any time — the statue is in a sheltered spot off the main path and rarely crowded. Morning light from the east hits the bronze well.
The statue's nose and back are worn to bright bare bronze from a century of children touching the same spots. Look at the plaque — it was installed in 1925, the same year as the actual serum run, while Balto was still alive in Ohio.
The bronze sled dog commemorating Balto, the Siberian Husky who led the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska — a 674-mile relay through blizzard conditions to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to an isolated community. Installed in Central Park in 1925, the same year as the run, while Balto was still alive. The bronze has been worn smooth by a century of children climbing on it. The 1995 animated film Balto is based on this story. Open 24 hours. Free.
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