Fifteen acres of open lawn on the park's west side — Manhattan's version of a public beach, where the city's residents sunbathe, picnic, and decompress against one of the most recognizable skylines in the world. One of the few places in Central Park where the only rule is to enjoy doing nothing.
Fifteen acres of open lawn that, until 1934, was actually home to a flock of Southdown sheep — part of the park's original pastoral design. Today it's Manhattan's version of a public beach: picnics, sunbathing, frisbee, and people-watching at scale. Officially designated a "quiet area" by the Central Park Conservancy — no organized sports, no dogs, and no amplified music allowed. The view from the southern edge looking up at the skyline behind Tavern on the Green and the San Remo towers is one of the most quietly spectacular in the city. Open May–October. Free.
Warm spring afternoons are ideal for picnics, sunbathing, and skyline views across the open lawn.
Actual sheep once grazed here in the 1800s before the meadow became one of NYC’s favorite gathering spaces.
Fifteen acres of open lawn that, until 1934, was actually home to a flock of Southdown sheep — part of the park's original pastoral design. Today it's Manhattan's version of a public beach: picnics, sunbathing, frisbee, and people-watching at scale. Officially designated a "quiet area" by the Central Park Conservancy — no organized sports, no dogs, and no amplified music allowed. The view from the southern edge looking up at the skyline behind Tavern on the Green and the San Remo towers is one of the most quietly spectacular in the city. Open May–October. Free.
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