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A black-and-white photo of a lively crowd gathered in and around a fountain. Some people are splashing in the water, others are climbing or sitting on the fountain, and one person is being lifted into the air.

20 Vintage Photos of Central Park In The Summertime (1940s-1980s)

Vintage Photos History May 30, 2025 by Matt Staff

Last Updated on May 30, 2025 by Matt Staff

Take a step back to the New York afternoons of the olden days. Central Park has always possessed a magical air about it. It’s especially fun to relive some of the park’s bygone eras through vintage photos that capture the park during its summertime moments. These 20 vintage photos of NYC’s Central Park are a powerful time capsule.

1. It was the summer of 1961 and the times were glorious

Three women in vintage dresses sit on a bench by the water, reading books and dipping their feet into the pond. They appear relaxed, surrounded by trees and nature in a peaceful outdoor setting. — gagator43

2. The summer of 1969 in Central Park was quite the time

A lively crowd of people, some fully clothed, splash and climb a large fountain in a park. Several individuals are mid-jump or helping each other up, creating a sense of energetic, joyful chaos. — oldnewyorker

3. An Italian ice cart in Central Park, 1972

A man stands near a game booth at a park, covering his mouth with one hand. A “Lost Children Area at Children’s Zoo” sign is visible in the background among bushes and trees. — axlcobainvedder

4. Central Park, NYC, 1973

An adult helps a young child ride a bicycle on a path outdoors. The adult wears sunglasses and a white shirt, while the child is on a red bike, concentrating as they ride together through a green, leafy area. — hpaulz

5. Roller skating in Central Park, NYC, 1982

A woman roller skating outdoors in a busy park, wearing headphones and a cassette player. Other people skate around her. Trees and tall buildings are visible in the background. The scene appears to be from the 1970s or 1980s. — jocke75

6. The audience at a concert in Central Park that featured Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in 1981

A man sits on the grass, holding a woman who is lying on his lap with her eyes closed. They are surrounded by people picnicking outdoors, with food and drinks on blankets. The scene looks relaxed and casual. — axlcobainvedder

7. It seems like this dude isn’t having his best day ever in Central Park in 1967

Two elderly women sit on a park bench, chatting and laughing, while a man sits at the far end of the bench, resting his face on his hand and looking bored or tired. Trees and greenery are visible in the background. — jocke75

8. Dancers in Central Park in 1961

A group of four dancers leap in unison across a grassy park, while a police officer on horseback calmly rides beside them. Tall city buildings rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — goodgriefwhatsnext

9. Sailing boats in Central Park, 1941

A black-and-white photo of a young girl in a hat standing by a pond, with two children sitting on the edge and city buildings and trees in the background. — safia3

10. Sailors enjoying Central Park, NYC, summer 1943

Four people relax on a grassy hillside by a pond. Two are lying close together while another couple, including a man in a sailor uniform, sit nearby. Trees and people walking are visible in the background. — gagator43

11. Racing the sailboats in NYC’s Central Park during summertime was

Several people, including children and adults, launch and guide model sailboats in a park pond. The group stands and kneels at the water’s edge, focusing on the boats floating in the water. — deleted

12. Fishing in Central Park was something special, for sure

Four young men fish by a river; two stand shirtless on the grassy bank, one adjusts a fishing rod, while two others, also shirtless, sit on a large rock by the water. Trees and nature fill the background. — anonymous33

13. The summer of 1961 in Central Park, NYC

Four children climb and play on a large Alice in Wonderland statue in a park, with trees in the background. The kids appear joyful and engaged, exploring the sculpture together. — gagator43

14. A late summer Sunday in Central Park, NYC, 1942

A sailor and a woman sit by a lake in a park, with numerous people rowing boats on the water. Trees and a city skyline are visible in the background, creating a lively yet serene atmosphere. The image appears to be from the mid-20th century. — gagator43

15. These kids seem to be having a glorious day at NYC’s Central Park in the summertime

A woman and two children stand by a lakeshore, watching people in rowboats on the water. The children are facing different directions, and trees surround the lake under a bright sky. — deleted

16. A tender moment at NYC’s Central Park in the summer of 1942

A smiling man in a police uniform holds a small child who reaches up to touch the man's hat, both framed against a cloudy sky. — Screenshot

17. Some roller skaters in Central Park, NYC, 1981

People of various ages roller skate outdoors on a paved path surrounded by trees. One person in the foreground wears brown pants and a black tank top, skating energetically. Others watch or skate in the background. — deleted

18. Bob Ross in Central Park, NYC, 1989

A man with a large curly afro and beard smiles next to a woman with dark hair in a ponytail, both appearing happy outdoors with trees and people in the background.

19. Central Park West rooftop, 1978

People sunbathe on lounge chairs on a grassy rooftop overlooking Central Park and the New York City skyline on a sunny day. The photo is labeled “New York, Central Park West, 1978.” — deleted

20. Central Park summer, 1981

Four children roller skate down a city street, holding hands and having fun. Other people can be seen walking in the background, and trees line the sidewalk. The photo is in black and white. — anonymous

Explore more vintage content:

For a city-wide splash of seasonal nostalgia, dive into 17 Vintage Photos of New York City’s Open-Air Pools, 1930-1960, and see how Gotham beat the heat beyond the park gates. Then zoom out for a wide-panning look at some historical snapshots from the 1800s with 35 Vintage Photos From The Early 1880s.

Tags: 1900s early 1900s mid-1900s New York City

About Author

Matt Staff

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt's caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.

View all posts by Matt Staff

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