Photos

The Kerbs Memorial Boathouse stands just east of Conservatory Water, Central Park’s famous model boat pond.

The boathouse replaced an old wooden structure in 1954. The red brick building features a copper roof and steeple. Inside it houses row after row of model ships, some quite impressive, which visitors can admire from a distance. The boathouse also features a café with a variety of light snacks and beverages.

On pleasant days, a variety of model ships, most remote-controlled, glide across the water. The sailboats are either privately owned or rented at a cart provided by the boathouse. On Saturdays, beginning around 10 am, races are held on the water with kids and veterans alike. It’s at this spot that Stuart Little, the beloved character of E.B. White’s story, sailed his fictional sailboat to victory.

In 1993, the Conservancy refurbished the boathouse’s terrace, incorporating the benches and planting beds you see today. The Conservancy later restored the pond, replacing the concrete stone with durable and attractive granite. The spot has also been a gathering spot for birders searching for signs of the famous Fifth Avenue red-tailed hawks, Lola and Pale Male.