A charming little portion of Central Park that never quite emerged from the exuberant, extra-urban eighties, this adult playground sits at the northern end of the manicured Mall, a park boulevard that recalls the aristocratic paths of London's best parks. Here, though, something much less stuffy is going on--dozens of twenty- and thirty-somethings roller-dancing, with themselves and each other, to cheerful disco, funk, and early hip-hop played, improvisationally, from a boombox somebody or other has hauled over. It sounds like an accidental thing, but the party here is downright regular -- every day, from the early afternoon through to the evening -- and open to all comers, amateur roller-dancers or long-retired regional champions. Just north sits the bandshell, where decades of free SummerStage concerts were held, now just a decorative feature in a park positively full of them.
In 1922, due to the popularity of the musical diversions, the original Concert Ground (on the edge of which sits the Bandshell) was expanded to its current size. This, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of the filigreed metal bird cages, ornamental drinking fountains, display fountains and Vaux designed benches, all original and treasured features of the site.
Acts as diverse as John Phillip Sousa, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin and The Grateful Dead have performed upon the Bandshell stage to the delight of thousands of park visitors.
The Bandshell was originally built in 1923, funded by donations from banker Elkan Naumburg and replaced an earlier ornate cast-iron bandstand that had been designed by Jacob Wrey Mould.
In 1922, due to the popularity of the musical diversions, the original Concert Ground (on the edge of which sits the Bandshell) was expanded to its current size. This, unfortunately, resulted in the loss of the filigreed metal bird cages, ornamental drinking fountains, display fountains and Vaux designed benches, all original and treasured features of the site. 