Wollman Rink
| Company type | Public recreational facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ice skating, seasonal amusement |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | Central Park, Manhattan, New York City |
| Products | Ice skating rink, seasonal amusement park (Victorian Gardens, 2003–2019), pickleball courts (2023) |
| Parent | Wollman Park Partners LLC (since 2021) |
| Website | wollmansrink |
Wollman Rink is a publicly accessible ice rink situated in the southern section of Central Park, Manhattan, New York City. It derives its name from the Wollman family, who financed its initial development. The rink is open for ice skating seasonally, from late October through early April. Between 2003 and 2019, the location also accommodated Victorian Gardens, a seasonal amusement park catering to children during the late spring and summer months, specifically from May to September.
The rink originally opened in 1950 following a proposal made in 1946. It ceased operations temporarily in 1980 for renovations and resumed service in November 1986. After the refurbishment, The Trump Organization managed the facility under a contract with New York City until 1995 and resumed management from 2001 until 2021. Subsequently, control was handed over to Wollman Park Partners, a collaborative venture involving Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, The Related Companies, and Equinox Group.
Site
Positioned at the southeast corner of Central Park, Wollman Rink was constructed on land that was once part of the Pond, which lies to the east of the rink. The western portion of the Pond was drained and filled in during the mid-1900s.
It is important to distinguish Wollman Rink in Central Park from the Kate Wollman Memorial Rink located at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The latter was funded by the William J. Wollman Foundation following Kate Wollman's passing and operated from 1961 until its demolition in 2010.
Initial planning and funding
The idea to establish a skating rink in Central Park’s southeastern corner originated in 1945. In 1949, philanthropist Kate Wollman (1869–1955) contributed $600,000 toward building the rink as a tribute to her family. She was the great-aunt of Henry and Richard Bloch, who co-founded H&R Block. Her brother, William J. Wollman, had managed W.J. Wollman & Co., a stock exchange firm; after his death in 1937, she assisted with overseeing his estate.
Wollman Rink officially opened its doors in 1950.
Renovation: 1980–1986
In 1974, plans were initiated by the NYC Parks Department to upgrade the rink’s refrigeration system by replacing brine with liquid Freon to lower operational expenses amid escalating fuel costs. A renovation budget of $4 million was announced in January 1975 but was later adjusted down to $2.5 million focusing on dredging and landscaping efforts. Nevertheless, these plans were postponed due to New York City’s financial crisis in 1975.
The rink shut down during the winter of 1980 after its concrete base suffered damage from buckling. Renovation costs escalated to $4.9 million with an expected completion period of two years. Delays caused by planning mistakes, construction complications, and flooding pushed back progress until May 1986 when the city reverted from Freon back to brine piping after spending $12.9 million; an additional $2–3 million was required to finalize renovations by winter 1987.
Donald Trump then publicly committed to finishing the renovations within six months at his own expense in exchange for leases granting operational control over both the rink and an adjacent restaurant, allowing him to recover expenses. Mayor Ed Koch consented to reimburse Trump up to a specified limit, with Trump pledging any profits toward charity and public projects. Trump convinced primary contractor HRH Construction to work without profit by emphasizing potential publicity benefits; however, he did not acknowledge HRH publicly during updates on progress.
Adrian Benepe, spokesperson for the Parks Department who later became commissioner, remarked that much of the work was nearly finished prior to Trump’s involvement and that city payments were made directly to contractors. The project concluded two months ahead of schedule and $750,000 under budget. As part of his agreement for continued operation of Wollman Rink, Trump also secured concessions for Lasker Rink in 1987 through the Trump Organization.
Operation of the Skating Rink: 1986–2021
Following its reopening in November 1986, ticket prices increased from $2.50 to $4.50, while attendance figures grew significantly from 130,000 in 1980 to 250,000 by 1987. According to the city's agreement, the Trump Organization allocated the majority of its profits toward public infrastructure and charitable causes, including a $50,000 contribution for rink electricity and donations to organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy, Partnership for the Homeless, and Gay Men's Health Crisis.
The Trump Organization managed the rink concession until 1995, when M&T Pretzel Inc. won a six-year contract to operate both Wollman and Lasker rinks by submitting a higher bid. In 2001, Wollman Rink Operations LLC, a subsidiary of the Trump Organization, regained the concession to run these facilities through April 30, 2021. This subsidiary operates under DJT Holdings LLC, which was held by the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust during Trump's initial presidential term.
A 2007 audit by the city comptroller revealed that Trump's management had underreported rink revenues by $106,608, resulting in a financial loss for the city. In 2019, the Trump Organization quietly removed its branding from most signage and logos at both rinks. During its last season of operation, adult admission fees ranged from $12 Monday through Thursday to $19 on Fridays, weekends, and holidays; children aged 11 and under were charged $6.
Termination of Trump Organization Agreements
In January 2021, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio declared that all contracts with the Trump Organization would be terminated due to Trump's role in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. Although contracts for managing Wollman Rink, Lasker Rink, and the Central Park Carousel were scheduled to conclude on February 26, the city permitted the rinks to remain open for the remainder of the skating season until the concession expired in April 2021.
By February 2021, NYC Parks initiated a competitive bidding process for a new five-year contract to operate Wollman Rink. The non-profit Central Park Conservancy submitted a proposal involving a 20-year operational plan paired with a $50 million renovation investment. Ultimately, in July 2021, Wollman Park Partners LLC—a collaboration between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, The Related Companies, and Equinox Group—was awarded the five-year contract. Under this new management, Wollman Rink reopened in November 2021 featuring an updated clubhouse.
From April through October 2023, temporary pickleball courts were set up at Wollman Rink under a short-term arrangement with CityPickle, drawing 56,000 participants that year. Reflecting increased demand for varied recreational activities at this prime site, NYC Parks announced in April 2024 plans to build 14 permanent pickleball courts beneath the ice rink.
Music Venue
Prior to 1980, the rink functioned as a summer location for concerts spanning rock, pop, country, and jazz genres. Initially known as the "Wollman Theater" or "Wollman Skating Rink Theater," it accommodated 4,400 spectators; capacity expanded to 8,000 with bleacher additions in 1972. Beginning in 1957, WOR radio host Jean Shepherd presented a "Jazz under the stars" series featuring renowned musicians such as Billie Holiday, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. Between 1966 and 1980, music festivals held at the rink included between 30 and 50 concerts annually.
These festivals were backed by prominent sponsors: Rheingold Beer (1966–67), F. & M. Schaefer Brewing Company (1968–76) under the Schaefer Music Festival banner, and Dr Pepper (1977–80) as part of the Dr Pepper Central Park Music Festival. Notable acts included Todd Rundgren's Utopia, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Patti Smith Group. The events also featured country and blues legends like Earl Scruggs, John Lee Hooker, The Supremes, and Buddy Rich.
Victorian Gardens
Between 2003 and 2019, Central Amusement International, LLC, the company managing Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, operated Victorian Gardens, a seasonal amusement area designed for children aged 2 to 12. This park was open from late May through September at the designated location.[1][2]
Pickleball
In 2023, Wollman Rink expanded its recreational facilities by adding 14 pickleball courts under the CityPickle brand.[3][4]
Beach volleyball
During July 2025, the AVP Beach Volleyball Professionals League held the sixth week of its season at Wollman Rink. To prepare for this event, approximately 300 tons of sand were delivered to the venue. The competition was televised on both CW and CBS networks.[5]
In popular culture
Wollman Rink has been featured in a variety of films such as Love Story (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), The Devil's Own (1997), Serendipity (2001), Night at the Museum (2006), Limitless (2011), Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011), and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). Additionally, it has appeared on television in the series Impractical Jokers (2015).
Sources
External links
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