Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a body of water in Central Park stretching between 86th and 96th Streets, covering 106 acres (43 hectares) and holding over one billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of water. A paved path measuring 1.58 miles (2.5 kilometers) circles the entire perimeter, offering joggers and walkers a popular loop with views of the city skyline.

Construction began in 1858 to expand the city's water supply and was completed in 1862, with the facility remaining operational for over a century. It was decommissioned in 1993 and renamed in 1994 to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who frequently jogged around its paths.

The reservoir received its current name in 1994 to honor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who regularly exercised along its perimeter during her time in New York.

The loop is open daily from sunrise to sunset and attracts joggers, walkers and photographers, with mornings generally quieter than afternoons. The path is paved and flat, making it accessible for most visitors looking to circle the water.

Two gatehouses connected by a causeway divide the water into separate halves, a design that originally allowed one side to be drained for maintenance while the other remained filled. Visitors can spot both structures from the shoreline path, where they serve as landmarks along the loop.