Belvedere Castle Debuts New Nighttime Lights

CENTRAL PARK, NY — Not too long ago New Yorkers were told to stay out of Central Park at night, but now they're being given reasons to venture into the park when it gets dark.

The Central Park Conservancy — the organization responsible for maintenance and programming at the park — debuted new nighttime lights at the Belvedere Castle on Thursday night. The attraction, one of Central Park's most visited, reopens this month following a 15-month renovation project.

"New York City will have a new nighttime landmark when one of the most iconic views of the Belvedere—its image from Turtle Pond—is made even more stunning," the conservancy said in a press release.

The castle will be lit each night from dusk until about 9 p.m., according to the conservancy. The organization recommends viewing the sight from the Great Lawn, the lawn just north of Turtle Pond or from the plaza near the statue of King Jagiello.

Visitors can stop by the Belvedere Castle during the daytime starting Friday to check out the newly-renovated attraction. The castle features restored walls and terraces, cleaned floor tiles, new wooden pavilions that bring the structure in line with its original Olmsted and Vaux design and new waterproofing, drainage and geothermal systems designed to keep parkgoers comfortable in both the heat and the cold.

"The Belvedere has a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers and visitors alike, who tell us they feel like royalty taking in the incredible views," Central Park Conservancy CEO Elizabeth Smith said in a statement. "We at the Central Park Conservancy are proud of our work at the Belvedere, which, like the rest of the Park was designed to provide an oasis from the stress of the city and is free to the public."

The castle is perched atop Vista Rock — the second-highest point in Central Park — near the 79th Street Transverse in the center of the park. The lookout towers of Belvedere Castle provide some of the best views of park attractions such as Turtle Pond, the Great Lawn and the Delacorte Theater.