Spanning the narrow inlet of the Lake at its far northern boundary where it
leads into a small bay calledBank Rock Bay is the appropriately
named Bank Rock Bridge. Unappealing
in its appearance and hardly worth
mentioning it is in fact an important link
at this part of Central Park to the Ramble itself since there is no other way to enter
the wooded area at this location.
The name derives from the steep banks
that rise up from the Lake on the
eastern side of the Bay.
Covered with green algae in the summer
the Bay is a favorite spot for bird
watchers who find interesting species
to study from this perch above the
marshy waters.
Looks can be deceiving however since
this poor representation of the original
bridge called Oak Bridge when it was
constructed in 1860 had a more elegant
design made as it was of white oak
and cast iron. With the floorboards
made of yellow pine the bridge was
beautiful, but unable to withstand
the weathering abuse and was
replaced with its present structure.
One might suppose such a degree of
indifference to the task judging by
the result, which has remained as is
since the early part of the century.
Resting on the original abutments it is
now railed with spiked steel pipe with
a plain wooden floor.
