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The Central Park Conservancy has just wrapped up a stunning $16 million, two-year restoration of Grand Army Plaza South, and the bustling intersection, a historic part of Central Park, is ready to debut its new look.
The centerpiece of the grand reopening is the iconic Pulitzer Fountain. Its famous bronze resident, the Pomona statue, is back from an exclusive off-site "spa retreat" where she was meticulously conserved. She’s now sitting pretty atop the fountain, which also received upgraded mechanical systems and a larger subterranean vault—perfect for seamless maintenance.
Originally completed in 1916 and inspired by Europe’s grand civic spaces, the plaza’s makeover beautifully balances old-school charm with modern upgrades. The Conservancy removed clunky interior curbs to ensure universal accessibility, making it a much smoother ride for strollers, wheelchairs and power-walking commuters alike. The team also laid down gorgeous historic bluestone paving, upgraded the quirky underground drainage and installed period-accurate pedestrian lighting that throws it back to the Gilded Age.
Green thumbs will also notice the fresh horticulture. The landscape restoration reinstated a lush double row of London plane trees, bringing back the grand, leafy canopy originally envisioned for the space over a century ago, alongside pristine new evergreen hedges.
Last week, city officials and the Conservancy officially cut the ribbon on the revitalized space, which was funded primarily through private donations—including the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust—along with city support.
Next time you're in the area, be sure to check out Grand Army Plaza South's major glow-up, with its freshly scrubbed Roman goddess and newly-enhanced elegance.