8/9. More Central Park Casualties


The Gapstow Bridge

When Calvert Vaux and Frederic Law Olmstead brought Central Park to life, it was home to Oak Bridge, located at the northern end of the Lake. According to Curbed NY, it was constructed of white oak and cast iron, and led into the Ramble. In the years since then, it has been replaced twice — first in the 1870s (renamed the Bank Rock Bridge) and again during the Great Depression by a “utilitarian model in tubular steel.”

Today, the original and reimagined design has been resurrected by Jan Herd Pokorny Associates. The carved white oak and cast iron has been brought back, but the bridge now rests on a sturdier base.

In addition, the Gapstow bridge is the second bridge that was erected over the Pond at 59th Street. The first one, made of wood and iron, and designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, was replaced in 1896.