Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields spans roughly one hectare within Central Park and displays a circular mosaic bearing the inscription Imagine as its focal point. Native plants and dawn redwood trees frame the pathways that lead visitors toward benches arranged around this tile centerpiece.

Following the death of John Lennon in December 1980, Yoko Ono began planning this space and donated one million dollars to bring it into being. The official opening took place on October 9, 1985, the musician's birthday.

The name draws directly from the Beatles song and recalls a children's home near the house where Lennon grew up in Liverpool. Music fans from around the world lay flowers and candles here, often singing together and gathering for informal remembrance circles at the central mosaic.

Access is easiest through the entrance at Central Park West near West 72nd Street, from where short paths lead to the mosaic. Several benches along the walkways offer places to pause and reflect quietly within the space.

Craftsmen from Naples created the black and white mosaic using Portuguese pavement techniques and based it on a Greco-Roman ornamental pattern. The stones used were specially imported from Italy to preserve the traditional method of this art form.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: October 9, 1985

Part of: Central Park

Website: http://centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/strawberry-fields.html

GPS coordinates: 40.77586,-73.97459

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:27