Season Highlights from The Pond

Skating season ended just yesterday at Bryant Park, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to share our top five highlights of 2009 at The Pond.

1. Modelquins on Ice

This year, The Pond landed a starring role in an Old Navy commercial alongside the famous Supermodelquins in their Alpine Hoodies. Filmed just one day before The Pond opened to the public, the commercial appeared on television sets all over the country throughout the holiday season.

2. Grand Opening Celebration

The fifth season of free ice skating at Bryant Park began on a beautiful day in November with live music performances and routines by Stars on Ice and synchronized skating champions, The Haydenettes. For the first time, The Holiday Shops opened to eager crowds on the same day as the rink.

3. Let There Be Light

An annual tradition at the beginning of December, the park’s Tree Lighting Ceremony featured ice performances from Olympic skater, Elene Gedevanishvili, and synchronized team, The Lexettes. The public skated to live music and counted down as the tree was lit for the holiday season.

4. Toys for Tots

For the team’s 16th annual Holiday Toy Drive, the New York Rangers returned to Bryant Park. Rangers, including Christopher Higgins, Michal Rozsival, and Ryan Callahan, signed autographs in exchange for toys donated to the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. Team alums Adam Graves, Brian Mullen, and Ron Duguay also visited The Pond to skate with fans.

5. Elves Take Over

In early December, 607 men, women, and children donned costumes and congregated at The Pond to help ABC Family successfully break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Santa’s Elves. It was quite a sight to see!

What were your favorite moments this year at The Pond?

This Week in the Park

Like all good things, the 2009-2010 ice skating season at Bryant Park must come to an end. Beginning on January 25, The Pond will be dismantled to make way for Fashion Week in the park. Skate the week away and join us as we look forward to next season when the city’s only free admission ice rink will operate into March!

The Pond at Bryant Park
Daily through January 24, 2010
Sunday – Thursday, 8:00am – 10:00pm
Friday & Saturday, 8:00am – Midnight
Weather permitting

For more information, visit thepondatbryantpark.com.

Check out bryantpark.org for a full calendar of events in the park, or sign up here to have weekly listings sent to your inbox.

Lunch With a View

You’ve seen the structure in the park, but what can you expect inside?

Celsius at Bryant Park is a two story restaurant and lounge that accompanies The Pond every winter season. Both levels provide excellent views of the ice skating rink. Indoor and outdoor heating, and a menu of comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, chicken pot pie, and chili, create a toasty venue for business lunches, leisurely meals, after work drinks, or parties.

Four coworkers and I headed to Celsius for lunch last week. We opted for an indoor table and were seated on the second floor next to the westward facing wall of windows. As expected we engaged in some spectacular people watching during the meal.

On to the food. Two plates were ordered to share as appetizers: the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad (described on the menu as mixed greens, roasted beets, goat cheese, spiced walnuts and white balsamic vinaigrette) and Potato and Cheese Pierogies (with pomegranate-apple compote, sour cream and caramelized onions).

The beets and greens were fresh, the goat cheese creamy, and the dressing was tangy but not overwhelming…

Read More

Bryant Park on the Web

“Saying Goodbye to Bryant Park Christmas Tree, Decades After Climbing It” from The New York Times
Touching story of a woman who grew up with the Bryant Park Tree and her visit to see it in the park.

“Largest Cup of Hot Chocolate - world record set in New York” from World Records Academy
American Dairy Association event at The Pond achieves World Record status.

“2009 Almanac for Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership” from MidCity News
Summary of last year’s notable projects and events in Bryant Park and the 34th Street area.
Click here to subscribe to MidCity News by email.

On our radar this week

“Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District Moves Forward” from Courier Life Publications
A new Business Improvement District grows in Brooklyn.

Scenes from Bryant Park

“Bryant Park Christmas II” by bytegirl24 from the Bryant Park Flickr Pool

This Week in the Park

The cast of Broadway’s The Fantasticks will appear at The Pond to sing a few numbers, meet fans, and raffle off tickets to their hit show.

Broadway’s The Fantasticks at The Pond
11:30am – 1:00pm, performance at 12:00pm
Thursday, January 7
The Pond at Bryant Park

Visit bryantpark.org for a full calendar of events in the park, or sign up here to have weekly listings sent to your inbox.

Bryant Park on the Web

“For Family’s Spruce, a Life of Glamour in New York” from The New York Times
The life story of this season’s Holiday Tree in the park.

“Overly Confiding Ovenbird at Bryant Park” from 10,000 Birds blog
Expert birder observes and photographs a species rarely seen during Northeastern winters in the park.

“Skating Under A New Sustainable Light” from PR Newswire
Enhanced lighting is brighter and more environmentally friendly this year at The Pond at Bryant Park.

“Ice, Served Two Ways: Plain or Glamorous” from The New York Times
The Pond is compared to City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, Queens.


On our radar this week

“Ready, set, change San Jacinto” from El Paso Inc.
Developers list Bryant Park as inspiration for public park in downtown El Paso, Texas.


Scenes from Bryant Park

“Bryant Park Lights” by Milli Mike from the Bryant Park Flickr Pool

Let It Snow

A reported 10.9 inches of snow covered New York City after the “Blizzard of 2009” that ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. Although Bryant Park looks magical under a blanket of snow, Bryant Park Corporation Sanitation and Hospitality crew members immediately began clearing pathways at 6am yesterday to create easy access to the park, The Pond, and all The Holiday Shops.

According to Coordinating Supervisor, Martin Nembhard, the team’s first priority was to clear snow and ice from all sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks surrounding the park. Next up were the park’s Upper Terrace, Fountain Terrace, 42nd and 40th Street Allees. Staff members from Upsilon Ventures, producers of The Pond and The Holiday Shops, took care of shoveling the ice rink and green deck in the center of the park.

Martin reports that 16 crew members completed the bulk of the work in approximately 6 hours. 40 boxes (that’s 2,000 pounds) of calcium chloride were spread over the park grounds to melt ice patches and prevent slips and falls.

It’s tough work, but visitors to the park will attest to the fine job done by the Sanitation and Hospitality crews.

This Week in the Park

Extended hours are in effect for The Pond and rink-side restaurant, Celsius. Warm up for the holidays with a hot and tasty winter beverage or by taking a spin on New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink.

The Pond at Bryant Park
8:00am – Midnight
Daily through December 30
Weather permitting

Celsius Restaurant
12:00pm – Midnight
Daily through December 30

Visit bryantpark.org for a calendar of events in the park, or sign up here to have weekly listings sent to your inbox.

Bryant Park on the Web

“Plans envision multimodal ‘crossroads’ at Mt. Vernon Square” from GreaterGreaterWashington.org
Bryant Park mentioned as inspiration for D.C. public space.

“Dish Buzz: Bryant Park Grill” from Grits in the City
Restaurant critic reviews dishes from the Bryant Park Grill on her blog.

“Keeping things on the level at Fenway” from NHL.com
Engineer and ice rink consultant for The Pond, Tim Thiel, works on new rink at Fenway Park.


On our radar this week

“As Good as Having an Uncle in the Business” from The New York Times
Low cost and free cultural events in New York City.


Scenes from Bryant Park

“Man Down, The Pond at Bryant Park” from the blog City Feedback

Bryant Park on the Web

“Flush-Forward Is Out. Hand-Scrubbed Is In” from The New York Times City Room Blog
Herald Square Park and Greeley Square Park managers replace automated public toilets with manual restrooms, based on the popular amenity in Bryant Park.

“What’s the Deal: Bryant Park Kiosks” from NBC New York
Video of Frank DiPrisco, Executive Director of Upsilon Ventures, discussing The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

“Celsius at Bryant Park” from Greg Betza Illustration
Drawings of The Pond and Celsius by artist and park passerby, Greg Betza.


On our radar this week

“Le Pain Quotidien to Operate Cafe at the Sheep Meadow” from The New York Times Diner’s Journal
Popular restaurant chain wins bid to take over existing cafe in Central Park.


Scenes from Bryant Park

“Bryant Park Carousel By Night” from the blog New York in Photographs