If it feels like ages since you’ve seen miniature boats gliding across Central Park’s Conservatory Water pond, that’s because they haven’t been there for five years. But now, for the first time since the pandemic, New Yorkers can once again enjoy sailing the iconic remote-controlled vessels in the park. The non-profit organization Rocking the Boat, based in the Bronx and known for teaching teenagers how to build full-sized boats for sailing on Long Island Sound, is behind the revival of this cherished activity, reports the New York Times.
A bit about Conservatory Water, the pond where the boats sail: it gained fame from E.B. White’s beloved 1945 children’s novel “Stuart Little,” which was adapted into a film in 1999. The area is named after a large greenhouse of glass and metal that the city planned but never completed. Initially, the pond was intended to reflect the greenhouse. Today, it transforms into an ice skating rink in winter and hosts model boat racing that attracts children from all over the city during warmer months.
Model boats are available for rent from May through October, typically between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. You can rent the boats, built by members of Rocking the Boat, for $15 for a 30-minute session. If you bring your own miniature boat, you’ll need to obtain a $15 permit from the city’s parks department.
For more exciting news about Central Park, check out our latest post: Central Park Boathouse Reopens in Style: A Lakeside Dining Experience 70 Years in the Making