11. Arches and Bridges
Jacob Wrey Mould assisted Calvert Vaux in designing many of Central Park’s dozens of bridges and archways. Perhaps the most recognizable is Bow Bridge at 74th Street. The storybook bridge’s walkway is sixty-feet wide and made of planks of ipe, a South American hardwood that turns a deep red when wet. The ever-changing colors of the foliage in the Ramble woodlands, the whimsical design of the bridge, and the reflective waters of the Lake make Bow Bridge one of Central Park’s most popular destinations.
Untapped Central Park Walking Tour
A few arches Mould helped design include Willowdell arch, Dipway arch, Greengap arch, and Playmates arch, among others. Mould was also responsible for the original design of the Gapstow Bridge, which he modeled after railroad bridges. The wood and cast-iron features of Mould’s bridge didn’t weather well, and in 1896 it was replaced by a simple stone bridge designed by the firm of Howard & Caudwell.
Next, check out 10 Historic Ruins and Remnants Inside NYC’s Central Park and Blockhouse of Central Park: A Military Ruin Predating the Park
