Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, also called the Central Park Reservoir, is a large body of water in Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. It runs from 86th to 96th Streets and covers 106 acres. It used to store over a billion gallons of water for the city’s drinking supply before it was decommissioned in 1993.

The reservoir was built in the 1860s as part of the Croton Aqueduct system to help bring clean water to the growing city. It was called the Upper Reservoir at the time. The older Yorkville Reservoir nearby was called the Lower Reservoir and was torn down in the 1930s.

In 1994, the reservoir was renamed to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was a former First Lady who loved jogging there and made many contributions to New York City. Today, the reservoir is a popular spot for walking, running, and enjoying the outdoors.

History

Design and construction

In the 1850s, the idea for Central Park was proposed by Nicholas Dean, president of the Croton Aqueduct Board. He chose the location because it already had a large water storage area, called the Yorkville Reservoir, right in the center. This reservoir was built in 1842 and was located where Turtle Pond is today. The area north of it was marshland drained by the Sawkill.

A design competition was held in 1857 for Central Park. The winning design was by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, called the Greensward Plan. Their plan included a larger reservoir called the Upper Reservoir as part of the park. Construction on the Upper Reservoir began in 1858 and was finished by 1862.

Decommissioning

The reservoir stopped being used in 1993 because a new water main under 79th Street made it unnecessary, and there were worries about water safety. Even though it was no longer needed, it stayed part of New York City's water system, ready to help in times of drought. In 1999, control of the reservoir was transferred from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Renaming

In 1994, the reservoir was named after Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to honor her many contributions to the city. She helped save Grand Central Terminal and protected Central Park’s beauty. She also liked to jog around the reservoir, and her apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue had views of it.

Description

The reservoir covers 106 acres and holds over 1 billion US gallons of water. Though it is no longer part of New York City's water supply, it still provides water to the nearby Pool and Harlem Meer.

It is a popular spot in Central Park. Many people, including famous ones like Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Madonna, have enjoyed running on the 1.58-mile running track there. The track is separated from the water by a fence that was added in 2003 to look like the original fence from the 1800s.

The area is also known for its beautiful cherry trees and flowers, which attract many visitors. It is a great place for nature lovers, as many different kinds of birds can be seen there.

In popular culture

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir has been featured in many films and television shows. Some movies that show the reservoir include Central Park (1932), Marathon Man (1976), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Devil's Advocate (1997), and Sex and the City (2008).

Television shows that have included the reservoir are Gossip Girl (2007–2012), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023), and The Boys (2019).