New Oak Bridge Unveiled in Central Park

This morning in Central Park the Oak Bridge (also known as the Bank Rock Bridge) was unveiled... for the second time. The bridge was originally constructed in 1860 and provided a decadent connection in Central Park from the path along the West Drive into the Ramble. The architecture firm that restored it notes that it was "constructed of carved white oak with panels of decorative cast iron set in the railings and a deck of yellow pine."

However, that original bridge deteriorated over time, and by the early 1930s, when the depression hit, a nondescript bridge created of wood and iron pipe replaced it. But today, following a fundraising effort, a recreation of the original was finally unveiled. While the recreation isn't a perfect replica of the original, it will certainly last longer; "The new bridge is constructed of steel and aluminum which was coated to resemble the painted carved oak elements of the original."

CityRoom reports on the project, which is part of a bigger effort to restore that section of the park to its glory days. The Central Park Conservancy spearheaded the campaign to restore the lake; the VP of the organization, Christopher Nolan, said, “Central Park is not just a collection of individually designed elements, it’s a composition. The restoration of the bridge is an element of the restoration of the lake.” Learn more about Central Park's bridges here.