Gus Taf
The Mall
The Mall & Literary Walk, bordered by magnificent elm trees, is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.
Location: MAP | Mid-Park at 66th Street
A walkway leading to the beautiful Bethesda Terrace, the Mall & Literary Walk runs through the middle of the park from 66th Street to 72nd Street. It remains the sole formal feature of Olmsted and Vaux's naturalistic creation.
To the north lies the Terrace Bridge, while the Olmsted Flower Bed is located directly south of the Mall.
Once referred to as an "open air hall of reception" by its creators, the Mall was specially designed to accommodate the width of carriages passing through its bounds. Around the turn of the century, these carriages would drop off their wealthy inhabitants at the Mall's starting point, where they could enjoy the natural scenery and mingle with people of lesser status. When these visitors finally reached the Bethesda Terrace, their carriages would be waiting to bring them to their next destination.
Danny Best
The Mall
The Mall is still known as a gathering place, occupied by skateboarders, rollerbladers, dance skaters, and street performers.
While strolling along the path, visitors will notice a large number of American elm trees. Popular at the time of their planting, these trees are rather uncommon today, and the Central Park Mall boasts one of the largest plantations of the American elm.
The Literary Walk, found at the southern end of the Mall, contains statues of well-known literary figures such as William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns among others. In 2020, the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument was added and is the first statue in Central Park depicting real-life women.