May 15th, 2026 - The Central Park Conservancy has announced a multi-year rehabilitation of Conservatory Water, the model boat pond at East 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue. Work begins this fall, the basin will be closed for the full 2027 season, and the target reopening is late spring or early summer 2028.
The concrete basin has been leaking so severely that staff can barely maintain water levels high enough for the model sailboats to sail. Beyond that structural fix, the project will reconfigure paths and terracing to meet accessibility standards, adding ramps, handrails, and accessible drinking fountains to a spot that is currently difficult or impossible for many visitors to reach.
The 1954 Kerbs Boathouse will be restored rather than rebuilt, with copper roof repairs, historically matched windows, and reconfigured restrooms that include an all-gender option. Restrooms and the concession stand are expected to stay open through the initial fall phase before the full complex closes early next year.
Read more from the original article here.