The Central Park Conservatory Garden in New York City is one of the most peaceful, beautifully manicured areas in all of Central Park, and it’s rich in history and design. History: •The site originally housed a conservatory (greenhouse) built in 1898 for plant cultivation and display. •By the 1930s, the conservatory had fallen into disrepair and was demolished. •In 1937, landscape architect Gilmore D. Clarke designed the current formal garden space. •The garden officially opened to the public in