Great Potential

Tavern on the Green in Central Park has closed after over 60 years in business. I snuck into the back outdoor seating area to see what remained to be auctioned. Just A 15-foot Godzilla (or King-Kong?) left. Really I wanted to see the building. Although, I never had a desire to eat there I often wondered what the building looked like, close up. Built in 1870 as the home for the sheep that grazed on the meadow across the drive, it was bastardized by Robert Moses in the 30’s to make room for a restaurant. The building still has great details. Now that the fake topiary and white metal furniture has been moved out, you can see the potential the space still has has. Notice the Hex Block, a true sign: “Robert Moses was here.”

I can’t figure out why Tavern On The Green filled the outside space with so many plants, both fake and real. When the restaurant was there you couldn’t see in or out. And the view of the Sheep’s Meadow is excellent from here.