What Is Lasker Pool & Rink?
Lasker Pool & Rink is one of New York City’s most versatile public recreation facilities, sitting at the northern end of Central Park near Harlem Meer. Unlike any other facility in the park, it operates as a free outdoor swimming pool in summer and converts to a public ice skating rink in winter — making it a year-round destination for Upper Manhattan residents and anyone willing to travel to the north end of Central Park.
Managed by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Lasker is the only pool-to-rink conversion facility in Central Park, and one of the few in the entire city. It draws swimmers, skaters, families, and fitness regulars from East and West Harlem, Washington Heights, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Address & Getting There
Address: Mid-Park at 106th Street, New York, NY 10029 (inside Central Park, near the Lasker Rink parking lot off Lenox Avenue / Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd)
Nearest subway:
- 2/3 train to Central Park North–110th Street (2-minute walk south into the park)
- B/C train to 103rd Street (5-minute walk north through the park)
Bus: M1, M2, M3, M4 along Fifth Avenue or Lenox Avenue; M10 along Frederick Douglass Blvd
Parking: Street parking is available along Lenox Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd) at 110th Street. There is no dedicated parking lot inside Central Park for this facility. The closest paid garage is at 1775 Fifth Avenue. Cyclists can use the park’s cycling loop; bike racks are available near the facility entrance.
Hours of Operation
Summer Pool Season (late June through Labor Day)
Lasker Pool is a free outdoor Olympic-sized pool open daily during the NYC Parks outdoor pool season, which typically runs from late June through Labor Day weekend. Pool hours are:
- 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (first swim session)
- 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (second swim session)
The pool closes between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. daily for cleaning. Admission is always free. No membership required.
Winter Ice Skating Season (mid-November through mid-March)
Lasker Rink typically opens in mid-November and operates through mid-March, weather permitting. Skating sessions are ticketed. Skate rentals are available on-site. Check NYC Parks for the current season’s schedule and ticket pricing, which is set annually.
Note: Lasker underwent a major renovation project. Confirm current operational status at nycgovparks.org or by calling the Central Park Information line before visiting.
Contact & Ranger Information
- Central Park General Information: (212) 310-6600
- Central Park (Hearing Impaired TTY): (800) 281-5722
- Lasker Pool (summer, direct): Contact via the Central Park main line; no separate direct line is publicly listed
- NYC Parks Main Line: (212) NEW-YORK / (212) 639-9675
- 311: For park condition complaints, maintenance issues, or general questions, call or text 311, or visit portal.311.nyc.gov
Central Park is managed in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy. For non-emergency park issues, you can also report through the Conservancy at centralparknyc.org.
Admission & Pricing
Pool (Summer)
Swimming at Lasker Pool is completely free — no ticket, no membership, no reservation required. Simply arrive during pool hours with a swimsuit and a combination lock for your locker. Cash is not needed on-site.
Ice Skating (Winter)
Lasker Rink charges admission fees for skating sessions. Skate rental is available for an additional fee. Pricing is set each season by NYC Parks. Check nycgovparks.org for current rates. Lasker is generally significantly less expensive than the private Wollman Rink, also in Central Park.
What to Know Before You Go (Pool Season)
What to Bring
- Swimsuit (required to enter pool area)
- Combination lock (required — luggage locks not accepted)
- Sunscreen (NYC Parks provides free sunscreen at city pools)
- Water — no food or beverages allowed in pool area
What to Leave at Home
- Food and glass bottles (not permitted)
- Electronic devices
- Valuables (no lockers for credit cards or jewelry recommended)
- Inflatable floats or swim aids (not permitted)
Dress Code
Swimsuits are required. Men’s shorts must have a swimsuit lining. Shirts with colors are not allowed on the pool deck — plain white shirts and white hats are acceptable for sun protection. Swim diapers are required for infants and toddlers.
Managing Lines on Busy Days
On peak summer days, NYC Parks may limit entry and issue color-coded bracelets allowing visitors to return later in the same session. Staff may also add swim sessions on extremely hot days.
Free Swim Programs at Lasker
NYC Parks offers several free aquatics programs at city pools including Lasker during the summer season:
- Learn to Swim: Free swimming lessons for all ages. Registration opens each spring at nycgovparks.org/registration/aquatics
- Lap Swimming: Early morning or evening lap swim lanes available at select pools for fitness swimmers
- Youth Swim Team: Competitive swimming programs for youth through NYC Parks Aquatics
- Senior & Adaptive Programs: Programming specifically for seniors and people with disabilities
For program schedules and registration: nycgovparks.org/programs/aquatics
Restrooms & Changing Facilities
Lasker Pool has on-site changing rooms and lockers. Combination locks are required (bring your own — luggage locks are rejected at entry). Restrooms are located within the pool facility and are maintained by NYC Parks staff during operating hours. The facility has separate men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Outside of pool/rink operating hours, the nearest public restrooms in this section of Central Park are at the Dana Discovery Center at 110th Street (open seasonally) and at Conservatory Garden (Fifth Avenue at 105th Street).
Accessibility
Lasker Pool is an ADA-accessible facility. The pool includes a wheelchair-accessible ramp or lift, as designated on the NYC Parks accessibility listings. Accessible pathways connect from both the east (Fifth Avenue / Lenox Ave side) and west (Frederick Douglass Blvd) park entrances at 106th–110th Streets.
For visitors with disabilities who need additional accommodation information, contact NYC Parks at (212) 310-6600 or TTY (800) 281-5722. The Central Park Conservancy accessibility page at centralparknyc.org also provides pathway and facility details.
Permits: When You Need One
Recreational swimming and skating at Lasker require no permit. However, if you’re bringing a group, you may need a permit depending on the activity:
- Groups of 20 or more at any park facility: A Special Events Permit is required. Apply online at nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/Parks/
- Licensed day camps wanting pool access: A Pool Day Camp Permit is required. Apply at nycgovparks.org/permits/summer-day-camp
- Filming or photography (commercial): Requires clearance from NYC Parks. Details at nycgovparks.org/permits/film-and-photo-guidelines
- Athletic field/court use nearby (North Meadow fields): Groups using the North Meadow Recreation Center fields adjacent to this area must obtain a Field & Court Permit at nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/request
Dogs at Lasker Pool Area
Dogs are not permitted in or around pool facilities (including the pool deck) at any NYC Parks pool site, including Lasker. Central Park does have designated off-leash hours throughout the park:
- Off-leash hours: 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. daily in designated areas (most of Central Park’s open lawns and meadows qualify under these hours)
- On-leash always: Dogs must be leashed in all areas of Central Park during on-leash hours and at all times near the pool, playground, and sports facilities
The nearest dedicated dog run in Central Park is the Central Park Dog Run located at 72nd Street on the West Side near the West Drive. Dogs are prohibited from the pool facility entirely, whether on or off leash.
Nearby Facilities at This End of Central Park
The north end of Central Park offers a cluster of recreational resources near Lasker:
- North Meadow Recreation Center — (212) 348-4867 — fields, basketball courts, and restrooms
- Charles A. Dana Discovery Center — (212) 860-1370 — nature programs, catch-and-release fishing at Harlem Meer
- Harlem Meer — catch-and-release fishing (permit not required, equipment available free through the Dana Discovery Center)
- Great Hill — open lawn, picnic area, accessible from West 106th Street entrance
Seasonal Schedule at a Glance
| Season | Facility | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late June – Labor Day | Outdoor Pool | 11am–3pm, 4pm–7pm daily | Free |
| Mid-November – Mid-March | Ice Skating Rink | Varies by season; check nycgovparks.org | Ticketed (admission + skate rental) |
| Spring / Fall (transition) | Closed for conversion | — | — |
Reporting Issues: 311 & Parks Department
If you encounter a problem at Lasker — broken lockers, unsafe pool conditions, maintenance issues, or off-leash dog violations — here’s how to report:
- Call or text 311 — the fastest route for non-emergency park issues
- Online: portal.311.nyc.gov
- NYC Parks direct: (212) NEW-YORK / (212) 639-9675
- Central Park Conservancy: (212) 310-6600 — for issues specific to Central Park
- NYC Parks Lifeguard emergency: Alert any on-duty lifeguard immediately; lifeguards are stationed at all NYC pool facilities during operating hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lasker Pool free?
Yes. Swimming at Lasker during the summer season is completely free. No ticket, membership, or reservation is required.
Do I need a recreation center membership to swim at Lasker?
No. Outdoor NYC Parks pools do not require membership. Memberships are only required for indoor recreation center pools, which cost $150/year for adults (25–61), $25/year for seniors/veterans/people with disabilities, and are free for anyone under 25.
Can I bring my dog?
No dogs are allowed at or around the pool facility. Central Park has off-leash hours (9pm–9am) in many areas of the park, but not near pool or playground facilities.
What if I arrive and the line is too long?
On busy days, staff may issue re-entry bracelets allowing you to leave and return later to skip the queue. Arriving at opening time (11:00 a.m.) typically means shorter waits.
Is ice skating at Lasker the same as Wollman Rink?
No — Lasker is operated by NYC Parks and is significantly less expensive than the privately operated Wollman Rink. Lasker is considered the more local, community-oriented option.
Sources: NYC Parks — Central Park Outdoor Pools | NYC Parks — Free Outdoor Pools | NYC Parks — Indoor Pools & Recreation Centers | NYC Parks — Recreation Center Membership | NYC Parks — Permits
