Engagement Photo Location: The Reservoir

I’m always hunting for unique views in New York, and this Location Spotlight: The Reservoir features my new favorite find.

Located at 91st Street as you enter Central Park, this view is AMAZING. My clients are standing on the track by the Reservoir, and I was able to photograph upwards to catch this striking silhouette.

What I love most about this spot is that it’s personal to my clients. They live nearby, and this track is somewhere they go often as a couple. It’s close to the bench where they took their first picture together, and I love that this image will be meaningful to them for many reasons.

I also loved revisiting the Reservoir, somewhere I haven’t been in many years.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, often simply referred to as the Reservoir, is one of the most prominent features of Central Park in New York City. Named after former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1994 due to her fondness for the area, the Reservoir covers approximately 106 acres — about one-eighth of the entire park — and holds over a billion gallons of water.

It is located between 86th and 96th streets and is encircled by a 1.58-mile running track, which is frequented by runners and walkers due to its soft surface and picturesque views. The Reservoir is known for its stunning, unobstructed views of the city skyline, including prominent buildings like the Eldorado and the San Remo.

Although originally built in the mid-19th century as a temporary water supply for New York City, it hasn’t been used for that purpose since 1959. Today, it is a designated scenic landmark, serving as an aesthetic feature as well as a habitat for a variety of waterfowl.

In addition to the Reservoir, this area of the park is home to several notable features. To the south, you’ll find the Great Lawn, one of the park’s most iconic green spaces. It’s a large, 55-acre open field that’s perfect for picnics, sunbathing, and informal sports.

To the north of the Reservoir, there’s the North Woods, an area designed to replicate the ambiance of the Adirondack Mountains with its rugged trails, streams, and native trees. This area provides a more secluded, tranquil experience compared to the often bustling southern areas of the park.

Nearby, the East Meadow offers a wide, open space for relaxation and recreation, while the Conservatory Garden is a formal garden in the park, located at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street, offering a tranquil and beautiful landscape.