Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Spanning 106 acres between 86th and 96th Streets, this is Central Park's largest body of water, covering roughly an eighth of the park. The perimeter cinder path enforces counter-clockwise traffic, keeping walkers and runners moving in a single direction around the rim. Water access and swimming are prohibited, leaving the open basin to birds and turtles. Wide sightlines capture the Midtown skyline and the San Remo towers from the southern shore, with scattered tree shade offering intermittent relief along the loop.