When newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer died in 1911, he bequeathed $50,000 "for the erection of a fountain like those in the Place de la Concorde, Paris, France." Pulitzer got the idea to locate the fountain in Grand Army Plaza from Karl Bitter, the Austrian sculptor, who proposed a symmetrical plaza for this area. After a closed design competition it was not surprising that Bitter and the architect Thomas Hastings were commissioned to create the fountain. To make the plaza symmetrical, the Sherman monument was moved 16 feet west to its present location. Bitter's bronze sculpture represents Pomona, the Roman goddess of abundance. Rams' heads with horns of plenty flank the fountain, again emphasizing the theme of wealth and material comfort. During the winter holiday season, lighted trees decorate the basin of the fountain, adding a festive touch to the Park's entrance. While the "Friends" opening credits weren't actually filmed here, the fountain was inspired by this one.

Although today the Park's largest lawn without ballfields features people it was originally the home to a flock of pure bred sheep from 1864 until 1934. The sheep and shepherd were housed in a fanciful Victorian building nearby, what became the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant in 1934. The 1858 design competition for Central Park required a parade ground for military drills, and winning landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux reluctantly included the parade ground in their Greensward plan. The Park's Commissioners and designers ultimately felt that military use conflicted with their vision of the Park as a quiet escape. In the 1960s and 70s, Sheep Meadow became the scene for large-scale concerts, the televised landing on the moon, peace rallies and anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. But these events, and the lack of management and maintenance, led to the lawn becoming severely eroded — a virtual dustbowl. In 1980, it was restored and has been maintained by The Central Park Conservancy ever since. The meadow became the Park's first Quiet Zone, which means it's the perfect place to relax and unwind. Sheep Meadow attracts thousands of visitors, who gather to sunbathe, picnic, fly kites, and enjoy this pastoral escape, free from the hustle and bustle of New York City, but with one of the best views of Manhattan's famous skyline. It's appeared in movies such as Wall Street, the Manchurian Candidate and Antz (well, kind of in Antz...)

A gentle slope overlooking the Lake with views to the Ramble, Cherry Hill offers a contemplative space perfect for picnicking, reading, and sunbathing. Named for the cherry trees that bloom across its landscape in the spring, Cherry Hill was originally intended as a scenic turnaround featuring a decorative watering trough for horse-drawn carriages. Its central ornamental displays a decorative finial and frosted glass lighting globes. It was designed by architect Jacob Wrey Mould, the same designer of the carvings and Minton tile ceiling at Bethesda Terrace.    Visitors flock here in the spring to take in the beauty of the blooming forsythia and azaleas. A short walk west leads to Wagner Cove, on of Central Park's hidden oases of calm. Tucked into a shady corner of the Lake, the Cove features a small rustic boat landing. Filming location for Big Daddy, Cruel Intentions and Little Manhattan.