Placemaking
Central Park Conservancy
Davis Center Gottesman Rink
year
2026
capabilities
Design & Engineering
We were thrilled to be asked to support the Central Park Conservancy, our client and partner, on the capstone redevelopment of the Davis Center in New York’s Central Park, transforming a long-underutilized seasonal facility into a year-round community asset.
Originally a beloved but limited-use pool and rink, the site restricted access to the park for much of the year. The challenge was to create a flexible system supporting three seasonal modes: the Gottesman Rink in winter, “The Green” turf field in spring and fall, and a return to pool use in summer, within a complex elliptical basin with a zero-entry slope and no permanent anchoring.
TAIT developed a 26,000-square-foot modular structural decking system that sits within the basin without anchoring, yet meets seismic and wind load requirements up to 127 mph. Its “one-pin” system eliminates traditional fasteners and tools, using ball detent pins for rapid, repeatable assembly.
The structure nests within the elliptical geometry while accommodating continuous grade changes and maintaining a level finished surface. Beneath it, integrated coolant infrastructure enables ice production, while layered insulation panels manage thermal performance, load distribution, drainage, and airflow for turf use.
Each component is designed for two-person handling, enabling efficient installation, transport, and seasonal changeover. The result is a flexible infrastructure system that turns a single-use facility into a multi-season destination, expanding access to public space and redefining what temporary civic infrastructure can achieve.
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