Umpire Rock, found in the southwest corner of the Park, got its name because it was once part of Central Park’s original playground, a big open meadow where kids could play games like baseball.
As of recently, the rock has been incorporated into Heckscher Playground’s backdrop, but it still affords excellent views of the Heckscher Ballfields to the north. The rock is a popular spot for picnics, hikes, and views of the cityscape, particularly the Midtown skyline.
The geology of Manhattan Island can be studied at Umpire Rock. Innumerable rock outcrops may be seen throughout Central Park, making it one of the few spots in Manhattan where the island’s old bedrock is clearly visible. Manhattan schist, a rock composed of minerals like quartz, mica, and feldspar, was produced roughly 500 million years ago.
Recent erosion has left the granite with striations and grooves that are clearly apparent. A massive glacier obliterated the whole city of New York around 30,000 years ago, leaving behind scars on the bedrock from the varied rocky debris it dragged along. Summit Rock and Vista Rock are two other prominent peaks in the Park.
Can You Go Rock Climbing In Central Park
A resounding “Yes!” Umpire Rock is the place to be! This granite base, one of the Park’s few natural attractions, is estimated to be between 190 million and 1.1 billion years old.
All the tall buildings in Manhattan rest on this old bedrock. The fact that the granite was so difficult to blast played towards its inclusion in the Greensward plan’s design. Considering how well that wager has paid off, picking the Rock was a brilliant move.
Mica and quarts minerals cover the Umpire Rock. You can use it to see how long ago the Rock was produced geologically. The Heckscher baseball grounds and the Carousel are just a couple of the attractions that can be seen from the top of the Rock.