Wollman Rink

Description

Wollman Rink is a public ice rink in the southern part of Central Park, Manhattan, New York City. The Pond’s western section was drained and backfilled during the mid-20th century. It is named after the Wollman family who donated the funds for its original construction. Philanthropist Kate Wollman (1869–1955)[6] donated $600,000 for the rink’s construction to commemorate her family. She is the great-aunt of Henry and Richard Bloch, co-founders of H&R Block. The rink is open for ice skating from late October to early April. From 2003 until 2019, Victorian Gardens, a seasonal amusement park for children, was operated on the site from late May to September.

Renovation and Management

Wollman Rink opened in 1950, having been proposed four years earlier. The rink was closed for renovations in late 1980 and reopened in November 1986. Following the renovation, The Trump Organization operated the rink under contract with the New York City government until 1995 and again from 2001 until 2021, when control was given to Wollman Park Partners, a joint venture formed between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, The Related Companies, and Equinox Group.

Appearances in Film and Television

Wollman Rink has been featured in several films, including Love Story (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Devil’s Own (1997), Serendipity (2001), Night at the Museum (2006), Limitless (2011), Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011), and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), as well as the television show Impractical Jokers (2015).

Concerts and Music Festivals

Until 1980, the rink was the venue for annual summer rock, pop, country, and jazz concerts. Initially the “Wollman Theater” or “Wollman Skating Rink Theater” had 4,400 seats; bleachers were added in 1972 to increase the capacity to 8,000. In 1957, WOR radio personality Jean Shepherd hosted a series of “Jazz under the stars” concerts on 15 consecutive nights, featuring Billie Holiday, Bud Powell, Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Dinah Washington, Stan Getz, and others. From 1966 to 1980, music festivals consisting of 30 to 50 concerts each were held at the rink. The festivals were named after their main sponsors, Rheingold Beer in 1966 and 1967, F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company from 1968 to 1976 when the festival was called the Schaefer Music Festival, and Dr Pepper from 1977 to 1980 when it was called the Dr Pepper Central Park Music Festival. Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Mothers of Invention, Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, and the Patti Smith Group were some of the biggest rock groups who played at the rink; country, blues, rhythm & blues, and jazz artists included Earl Scruggs, John Lee Hooker, The Supremes, and Buddy Rich.

Recent Developments: Pickleball Courts

Temporary pickleball courts were installed at Wollman Rink between April and October 2023, as part of a short-term agreement with CityPickle, which operated the courts. The courts attracted 56,000 players during 2023. NYC Parks subsequently announced in April 2024 that it would install 14 permanent courts at the rink, under the ice.