The Bridges of Central Park

Central Park is an integral part of New York City.  For Manhattanites, it offers a welcome respite from the noise of the city streets; for visitors it offers the historic and beautiful design of Frederick Law Olmstead.  Many of the classic views of the Park feature its 36 bridges and arches.  Here is a look at some of the better known Central Park bridges:

• Balcony Bridge, at West Drive and 77th Street, features benches on its east side.  For the best view of this bridge, rent a rowboat at the Boathouse.
• Bow Bridge, located mid-park near Bethesda Terrace, is made of cast iron and is one of the most recognizable bridges in the Park.
• Bridge No. 24, located on the south side of the Resevoir, is also made of cast iron and is a popular warm-up spot for runners. 
• Dalehead Arch, at 64th and West Drive, is one of the many bridges popular with musicians for the amplification of sound.
• Denesmouth Arch, near East 65th Street, is between the Children's Zoo and Central Park Zoo.
• Dipway Arch, located mid-park at 60th St., has benches built into the walls.
• Driprock Arch, which goes over a path connecting Wollman Rink to Hechscher Park, features a red brick facade.
• Gapstow Bridge is surely one of the Park's most famous.  This graceful stone structure is near East 62nd Street and offers lovely views of the city and the Park.
• Glade Arch, one of the first designed by Calvert Vaux, was restored in the 1980s.
• Glenspan Arch is a great place to be on a hot day.  The rustic, lush setting and the nearby waterfall help you forget how overheated you are.
• Greywacke Arch, near the Metropolitan Museum, is decorated in a Spanish-Moor style.
• Huddlestone Arch is an engineering marvel, made of huge, uncut stones with only gravity and friction (no mortar of any type) holding them together.
• Oak Bridge is no longer made of oak, but it retains the look of the original.
• Ramble Stone Arch features rough hewn stones and a picturesque look.
• Riftstone Arch is built, like Huddlestone Arch, without mortar of any type.
• 77th Street Stone Arch is the only double-arch bridge in the Park.
• Trefoil Arch, near East 73rd Street, is named for the decorations on its east side.
• Willowdell Arch, perhaps most noted for its proximity to the Balto statue, this arch is similar to Dipway Arch in look and with its built-in benches.