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New York City scenic landmarks

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The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), which administers the city's Landmarks Preservation Law, has designated twelve scenic landmarks across three New York City boroughs as of 2024. The scenic landmarks include public parks, plazas, and parkways operated by the New York City government. The LPC's rules dictate that scenic-landmark status may be granted to sites with "special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value" to New York City, New York state, or the U.S.[1] Seven of the twelve scenic landmarks were designated in the 1970s. The borough of Manhattan has the most scenic landmarks (with seven), while Brooklyn has four scenic landmarks and the Bronx has one. The first landmark to be designated was Central Park in Manhattan, while the most recent (as of 2024) is Aqueduct Walk in the Bronx.

An aerial view of Central Park
Central Park, the first scenic landmark to be designated in New York City

Background

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The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is the New York City governmental commission that administers the city's Landmarks Preservation Law.[2] The commission administers four types of landmarks: individual landmarks, interior landmarks, scenic landmarks, and historic districts.[1][3] Scenic landmarks are city-owned sites with "a special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value" to New York City, New York state, or the U.S.,[1] which are also at least 30 years old.[4] As of May 2024, the LPC has designated 12 scenic landmarks.[5] Some landmarks are also on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), a separate program administered by the National Park Service.[6]

New York City mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. authorized the LPC to formally designate historic structures as landmarks in April 1965,[7] and the LPC designated its first-ever official landmarks in October 1965.[8] Initially, only historic districts and the exteriors of buildings could be designated as landmarks. In 1973, mayor John Lindsay signed legislation that allowed the LPC to designate sites as scenic and interior landmarks.[9][10][11]

The first scenic-landmark designation to be proposed was that of Central Park in the borough of Manhattan,[12] which was formally designated on April 16, 1974.[13] The LPC approved two additional scenic landmarks in Manhattan that year—Grand Army Plaza on July 23[14] and Bryant Park on November 12.[15] Two more scenic landmarks were added on January 28, 1975: Verdi Square on Manhattan's Upper West Side,[16][17] along with Ocean Parkway, the first scenic landmark in Brooklyn.[16][18] These were followed by two additional landmarks in Brooklyn: Prospect Park became a scenic landmark on November 25, 1975,[19] followed by Eastern Parkway on August 22, 1978.[20] Riverside Park and the adjacent Riverside Drive on Manhattan's Upper West Side were designated as a single scenic landmark on February 19, 1980.[21][22] After Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, Manhattan, was granted landmark status on September 20, 1983,[23] no more scenic landmarks were designated for another 25 years.[24][4]

As of 2024, three scenic landmarks have been designated in the 21st century.[25][26] Morningside Park, straddling the Morningside Heights and Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan, was designated a New York City landmark on July 15, 2008.[27][28] The LPC also named the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn, as a landmark on May 15, 2018,[29][30] after previously refusing to give landmark protection to the boardwalk.[31] On April 16, 2024, Aqueduct Walk was designated as the first official scenic landmark in the borough of the Bronx.[32] The designation of Aqueduct Walk coincided with the 50th anniversary of the LPC's first scenic landmark designation.[33][34]

Scenic landmarks

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Scenic landmarks
Landmark name Image Date listed[a][b] Location[b] Borough Description
Bryant Park
 
Bryant Park
  More images
November 12, 1974
(#0879)
 Bounded by 40th Street, Sixth Avenue, 42nd Street, and the western facade of the New York Public Library Main Branch
40°45′14″N 73°59′01″W / 40.7538°N 73.9836°W / 40.7538; -73.9836 (Bryant Park) 		Manhattan A 9.6-acre (3.9 ha) park named after the journalist William Cullen Bryant[35] and dating from 1847.[36] The park contains a rectangular lawn surrounded by shaded walkways.[37]
Central Park
 
Central Park
  More images
April 16, 1974
(#0851)
 Bounded by 59th Street, Eighth Avenue, 110th Street, and Fifth Avenue
40°46′57″N 73°57′58″W / 40.7825°N 73.9661°W / 40.7825; -73.9661 (Central Park) 		Manhattan An 843-acre (341 ha) park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as the United States' first large landscaped park,[38][39] it was completed in 1876.[40] The park contains landscape features such as lakes and woodlands, in addition to artistic and architectural elements such as gates, bridges, and sculptures. A network of paths meanders through the landscape.[38]
Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk
 
Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk
  More images
May 15, 2018
(#2583)
 Running from West 37th Street to Brighton 14th Street
40°34′24″N 73°58′43″W / 40.5733°N 73.9787°W / 40.5733; -73.9787 (Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk) 		Brooklyn A 2.7-mile (4.3 km) wooden boardwalk on the Coney Island shorefront, constructed from 1922 to 1941.[30] The boardwalk measures 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 m) wide[41] and is made of various types of wood.[42] Numerous amusement attractions are placed on the boardwalk.[41]
Eastern Parkway
 
Eastern Parkway
  More images
August 22, 1978
(#0998)
 Running from Grand Army Plaza to Ralph Avenue
40°40′11″N 73°56′50″W / 40.6698°N 73.9473°W / 40.6698; -73.9473 (Eastern Parkway) 		Brooklyn A 3.8-mile-long (6.1 km),[43] tree-lined parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.[44][20] It was completed in 1874 and extends eastward from Prospect Park. The parkway includes a central roadway, two service roads, and two medians with trees and pedestrian paths.[20][45]
Fort Tryon Park
 
Fort Tryon Park
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September 20, 1983
(#1417)
 Bounded roughly by Dyckman Street, Broadway, Cabrini Boulevard, 190th Street, and Henry Hudson Parkway
40°51′48″N 73°55′56″W / 40.8634°N 73.9322°W / 40.8634; -73.9322 (Fort Tryon Park) 		Manhattan A 67-acre (27 ha) park on a ridge in Upper Manhattan.[46] The park was created between 1931 and 1935 on land donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr.[23] The park's design includes plantings, lawns, and pathways,[46] in addition to the Cloisters museum.[23]
Grand Army Plaza
 
Grand Army Plaza
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July 23, 1974
(#0860)
 Bounded by Fifth Avenue, 58th Street, Grand Army Plaza West, and 60th Street
40°45′53″N 73°58′23″W / 40.7647°N 73.9731°W / 40.7647; -73.9731 (Grand Army Plaza) 		Manhattan A 0.62-acre (0.25 ha) plaza,[47] designed by Carrère and Hastings and completed in 1916 at the southeastern corner of Central Park.[48] The plaza is centered around an equestrian statue of William Tecumseh Sherman on its northern half and the Pulitzer Fountain on its southern half.[48][49]
Morningside Park
 
Morningside Park
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July 15, 2008
(#2254)
 Bounded by Morningside Drive, Amsterdam Avenue, 123rd Street, Morningside Avenue, Manhattan Avenue, and 110th Street
40°48′23″N 73°57′31″W / 40.8063°N 73.9585°W / 40.8063; -73.9585 (Morningside Park) 		Manhattan A 30-acre (12 ha) park along a natural bluff in Upper Manhattan,[50] designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.[27][50] It was completed in 1895.[50] The park includes an artificial ornamental pond and waterfall,[51] rock outcroppings, three sculptures, and paths.[52]
Ocean Parkway
 
Ocean Parkway
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January 28, 1975
(#0871)
 Running from Church Avenue to Sea Breeze Avenue
40°36′53″N 73°58′07″W / 40.6146°N 73.9686°W / 40.6146; -73.9686 (Ocean Parkway) 		Brooklyn A 5-mile (8.0 km),[53] tree-lined parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.[44][54] It was completed in 1876 and extends southward from Prospect Park.[54] The parkway includes a central roadway, two service roads, and two medians with trees and pedestrian paths.[54][55]
Old Croton Aqueduct Walk
 
Old Croton Aqueduct Walk
  More images
April 16, 2024
(#2673)
 Running from 179th Street to Kingsbridge Road
40°51′45″N 73°54′15″W / 40.8626°N 73.9042°W / 40.8626; -73.9042 (Old Croton Aqueduct Walk) 		Bronx A 4.9-mile (7.9 km) linear park along the route of the Old Croton Aqueduct, which operated as an aqueduct from 1852 to 1955.[33] The land alongside the aqueduct has been used as a park since 1930.[33][56] It includes playgrounds, athletic courts, and a path.[56]
Prospect Park
 
Prospect Park
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November 25, 1975
(#0903)
 Bounded by Prospect Park Southwest, Prospect Park West, Flatbush Avenue, Ocean Avenue, and Parkside Avenue
40°39′45″N 73°58′10″W / 40.6624°N 73.9694°W / 40.6624; -73.9694 (Prospect Park) 		Brooklyn A 526-acre (213 ha) park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.[57] It was substantially completed in 1873.[58] The park is divided into three landscaped regions and contains structures such as a boathouse, a shelter, and two historic houses. A network of paths meanders through the landscape.[38]
Riverside Park and Riverside Drive
 
Riverside Park and Riverside Drive
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January 22, 1980
(#2002)
 Bounded by 72nd Street, the Hudson River, St. Clair Place, and the easternmost roadway of Riverside Drive
40°48′01″N 73°58′25″W / 40.8002°N 73.9737°W / 40.8002; -73.9737 (Riverside Park and Riverside Drive) 		Manhattan Riverside Park, and Riverside Drive at its eastern border, were both designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux starting in the 1870s.[57] The original park covers 191 acres (77 ha)[59] and was redesigned and expanded to 293 acres (119 ha) in the 1930s.[21] Paths, plantings, and play areas are placed on four tiers, which slope downward from Riverside Drive to the Hudson River.[21]
Verdi Square
 
Verdi Square
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January 28, 1975
(#0857)
 Bounded by Broadway, 73rd Street, Amsterdam Avenue, and 72nd Street
40°46′45″N 73°58′54″W / 40.7791°N 73.9816°W / 40.7791; -73.9816 (Verdi Square) 		Manhattan A 0.10-acre (0.040 ha) park acquired in 1887.[60] It is named for the composer Giuseppe Verdi and is centered around the Giuseppe Verdi Monument, dedicated in 1906.[60][61]

Notes

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  1. ^ The number below each date is the number assigned to each location by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The landmark designation report can be viewed by clicking the number.
  2. ^ a b For an interactive map, refer to "Discover New York City Landmarks". New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission – via ArcGIS.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Landmark Types and Criteria". New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "Rules of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, Title 63, Rules of the City of New York" (PDF). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. January 22, 2019. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  3. ^ Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, pp. 9–10.
  4. ^ a b Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 10.
  5. ^ "About LPC". New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "Landmark Designation". New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Ennis, Thomas W. (April 20, 1965). "Landmarks Bill Signed by Mayor; Wagner Approves It Despite Protests of Realty Men". The New York Times. p. 28. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Fowle, Farnsworth (October 18, 1965). "First Official Landmarks of City Designated; 20 Sites Listed — Each to Get Year's Grace". The New York Times. p. 37. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "New York City Landmarks Law". New York Preservation Archive Project. May 7, 1964. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Metropolitan Briefs; Lindsay Signs Landmarks Bill". The New York Times. December 18, 1973. p. 45. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Stern, Mellins & Fishman 1995, pp. 1120–1121.
  12. ^ Carmody, Deirdre (March 27, 1974). "Quietly, Central Park Advances as Landmark". The New York Times. p. 47. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Metropolitan Briefs". The New York Times. April 17, 1974. p. 47. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Goldberger, Paul (July 24, 1974). "Carnegie Hill Areas at 5th Ave. Designated a Historic District". The New York Times. p. 43. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Carroll, Maurice (November 14, 1974). "3 New Sorts of Landmarks Designated in City". The New York Times. p. 49. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Kennedy, Shawn G. (January 29, 1975). "Ocean Parkway Gets Landmark Designation". The New York Times. p. 36. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  17. ^ "Verdi Square Now a Landmark". New York Daily News. January 29, 1975. p. 7. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Toscano, John (January 29, 1975). "Designate Parkway A Scenic Landmark". New York Daily News. p. 247. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Landmark Status Voted For 5 Places in City". The New York Times. November 26, 1975. p. 64. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 232.
  21. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, pp. 244–245.
  22. ^ Fowler, Glenn (February 20, 1980). "Riverside Drive and Park Now Landmark; Park Vote Unanimous; Constructed in 1901". Section M. The New York Times. p. 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 625.
  24. ^ Chan, Sewell (July 16, 2008). "Former S.I. Butcher Shop Is Now a Landmark". City Room. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  25. ^ Custodio, Jonathan (May 2, 2024). "Old Croton Aqueduct Becomes The Bronx's First-Ever Scenic Landmark". The City. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  26. ^ "LPC Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Scenic Landmarks" (Press release). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. April 16, 2024. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 239.
  28. ^ Chan, Sewell (July 17, 2008). "New Landmarks for New York City". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  29. ^ Durkin, Erin (May 15, 2018). "Coney Island Boardwalk dubbed official city landmark on 95th birthday". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "NYC Designates Coney Island Boardwalk a Scenic Landmark". WNBC. Associated Press. May 15, 2018. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020.
  31. ^ Hansen, Matt (April 27, 2015). "Concrete? Coney Island fans say only wood will do for their beloved boardwalk". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015.
  32. ^ Rose, Veronica (April 17, 2024). "Landmarks Designates the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk as the Bronx's First Scenic Landmark". CityLand. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c Swanson, Emily (April 22, 2024). "Old Croton Aqueduct Walk receives Bronx's first scenic landmark designation". Bronx Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  34. ^ Moloney, Síle (April 19, 2024). "LPC Designates Aqueduct Walk as Bronx's First Scenic Landmark in Unanimous Vote". Norwood News. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  35. ^ Sagalyn 2023, p. 370.
  36. ^ "Favoring the Name Bryant Park". The New York Times. March 9, 1884. p. 10. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  37. ^ Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 631.
  38. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, pp. 188–190.
  39. ^ Van Buren, Alex (January 27, 2016). "12 Secrets of New York's Central Park". Smithsonian. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  40. ^ Taylor 2009, p. 292.
  41. ^ a b Postal, Matthew A.; Baldwin, Jessica (May 15, 2018). Coney Island (Riegelmann) Boardwalk (PDF) (Report). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
  42. ^ "Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  43. ^ "Eastern Parkway". The Cultural Landscape Foundation. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  44. ^ a b Goldberger, Paul (November 14, 1986). "Brooklyn's Best and Brightest; A Borough Filled With Brilliant Gems of Urban Architecture". Section C. The New York Times. p. 1. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  45. ^ "Eastern Parkway Highlights". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Fort Tryon Park". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  47. ^ "Grand Army Plaza". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  48. ^ a b Pogrebin, Robin (June 24, 2013). "Shaping a Plaza's Next Century". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  49. ^ Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 519.
  50. ^ a b c "Morningside Park Highlights". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. May 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  51. ^ Barbanel, Josh (July 8, 1989). "Lauder Sees a Boondoggle In a Lily Pond in Harlem". Section 1. The New York Times. p. 27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  52. ^ Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 240.
  53. ^ Dwyer, Jim (March 28, 2017). "Vision Zero Has Made Ocean Parkway Safer, but Some See Red". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  54. ^ a b c Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 241.
  55. ^ "Ocean Parkway Malls". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  56. ^ a b "Aqueduct Walk". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  57. ^ a b Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, pp. 214–215.
  58. ^ Ruggiero, Nina (October 19, 2014). "Secrets of Prospect Park". amNewYork. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  59. ^ "Riverside Park". National Park Service. October 27, 2023. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Verdi Square Highlights". New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  61. ^ Diamonstein-Spielvogel 2011, p. 458.

Sources

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