Central Park In Bronze

Location: 79th Street, east side 

Artist/Designer: A. Walter Beretta, designer; John Wilson, architect           

Materials: Bronze

Installation: 1958

Funding: The Irving and Estelle Levy Foundation

 

 

This playful, two-leaved gate at the entrance to the Pat Hoffman Friedman playground is the work of A. Walter Beretta, artisan for the New York City Parks and Recreation office of monuments from 1934 until his death in 1966. On each side, eight monkeys climb the gate posts, which are topped with a wise old owl and an acorn-munching squirrel.

 

This gate originally adorned the Irving and Estelle Levy playground, which the Pat Hoffman Friedman playground replaced. The gate was conserved and moved to its present location in 1989.