Join FRIENDS and Ginny Poleman for an exploration of the quieter side of Central Park on a guided tour of its northern end—where historic landscapes, autumn gardens, and remarkable new architecture come together. We’ll stroll through the newly renovated Conservatory Garden, a six-acre formal garden filled with seasonal color, elegant fountains, and hidden corners, learning about its history and design and viewing its historic Vanderbilt gates. Next, we’ll see the new Davis Center, the site of thew new Gottesman Pool and Rink, designed by Susan T. Rodriguez and Mitchell Giurgola in collaboration with the Central Park Conservancy. Along the way, using vintage photographs, Ginny will uncover stories of Central Park dating back to the Revolutionary War and the era of Robert Moses.

* A graduate of Cornell University and a licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide, Ginny Poleman is a trained docent for the Municipal Art Society, as well as a trained educational guide for 4th through 12th graders at Manhattan’s largest art museum. She also offers private tours for her own tour company, NYC Encounters, covering New York City Art, Architecture, and History.