About Wollman Rink
For more than 70 years, Wollman Rink has served as a unique skating and event venue for New York City.
Kate Wollman’s Gift
In 1949, philanthropist Kate Wollman gave the City $600,000 to build a skating rink in Central Park. She dedicated it to the memory of her parents, Jonas and Betty, and her brothers, and the rink still carries the family name.
It answered an older family wish. Two decades earlier, her brother William had proposed a memorial to their mother: a Mother’s Rest House in the park. It was never built, but Kate’s rink served the same purpose, giving families a place to be outdoors and active together.
Until then, skating in Central Park depended on the Lake freezing over. The new rink made its own ice. From its opening in December 1950, New Yorkers could count on skating all winter, whatever the weather.
More than 75 years later, the idea holds: a place in the heart of the city where every New Yorker belongs on the ice.
The Rink
Located in the heart of Central Park, the rink is dedicated to advancing all communities through connection and cultural celebration. Operated by Wollman Park Partners, the rink offers ice skating, artistic programming, neighborhood and community events all year long.
Wollman Park Partners
Wollman Park Partners (WPP) is a coalition of New Yorkers representing decades of experience across multiple sectors; including sports and entertainment; finance; health and wellness; diversity, equity, and inclusion; real estate; culinary; non-profit; youth development and sustainability. With this expertise, and a deep passion for New York City, WPP proposes to offer an energized, year-round experience of Wollman Rink NYC to both New Yorkers and visitors alike, with an emphasis on creating a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive space that promotes equitable economic opportunity and recovery in our City.
Additionally, WPP’s proposal for Wollman is designed to serve the community first – all net proceeds from the project will be invested in the Rink, community partners, and the City.
WPP consists of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the Related Companies and Equinox, in close partnership with Great Performances, restaurateur Melba Wilson, YMCA, Ice Hockey in Harlem, Figure Skating in Harlem, The Boys’ Club of New York, and Green City Force.