History will be made in Harlem this fall as New Yorkers lace up their skates and return to Central Park’s north end for a glide on the ice. The new Gottesman Rink at the Davis Center opens to the public on November 15, marking not just the debut of a state-of-the-art skating destination, but a reimagined model that puts Harlem and its community members first.

Replacing the former Lasker Rink, the Gottesman Rink represents something far more ambitious. Operated by the nonprofit Central Park Conservancy, with philanthropic support from partners including JPMorganChase, it’s built on a model that redefines what a public space can be: open, equitable, and deeply connected to the neighborhood that surrounds it. 

That idea guided every decision—from pricing and programming to the partners invited to help bring that vision to life. The Conservancy sought out organizations that share its mission to make the Park a true commons: a space where everyone can connect with nature, with neighbors, and with themselves.

With generous support from JPMorganChase, the Davis Center’s programming is designed to be both inclusive and accessible. The goal is to make this space genuinely useful to local families all year long. Through this model, the Conservancy is able to offer partner organizations free and discounted ice time—ensuring that local groups remain at the heart of the experience. 

One of these organizations is Ice Hockey in Harlem (IHIH), a nonprofit offering local children high-quality hockey and enrichment programming at no cost. After operating at the Lasker Rink since 1987, IHIH will return to Central Park at the new Gottesman Rink this winter. 

“Returning to the rink at the Davis Center is truly a full circle moment for us,” said Malik Garvin, Executive Director at IHIH. “We and the Conservancy have a shared commitment to making this facility a place of learning, joy, and belonging. The Conservancy’s dedication to the surrounding Harlem community, and to ensuring access in an inclusive environment, aligns directly with our mission and makes this collaboration especially meaningful.”

Also returning to the Park this winter are the Central Park North Stars, an ice hockey team for athletes with developmental disabilities.

For Robert Epner, Founder and Director of the North Stars, the Park is at the very core of who the team is. “It’s such a treat to bring this experience to people with special needs in the world’s greatest park,” he said. “Being in nature is important for anyone, but particularly for our players, it’s great they get outside and do this.”

And for these players, this season symbolizes more than a return—it’s the start of a new chapter filled with promise.

“Everybody at the Conservancy has been awesome to us,” said Bill Tobias, the team’s Head Coach and Manager. “They’ve given us access to the facility, helped with scheduling, and offered extra time for special events. It’s nice to know that we’re going back to something greater than before.”

But the impact goes beyond one facility. Partnerships like the Conservancy and JPMorganChase demonstrate how public organizations can work hand in hand with community partners to create spaces that foster local ownership, pride, and opportunity—priorities that JPMorganChase brings to its many community projects throughout New York City. 

One such example, the ROOTED Wellness Sseries at the Davis Center this fal, offered financial wellness workshops hosted by JPMorganChase on topics from budgeting and saving to building credit and the pathway to homeownership. These events showcased both JPMorganChase’s commitment to the city’s—and Harlem’s—success and the Davis Center’s role as a gathering place to empower its neighbors.

“Everything that Harlem stands for is what JPMorganChase stands for,” says Nichol King, New York City Market Director for Community Banking at JPMorganChase. “Love, happiness, financial wellness, investing in the neighborhood, and being proximate to the needs of your community.”

When shared values—like accessibility and community wellness—guide collaboration, the result is a public space that truly belongs to everyone.

Take it from Epner: “I’m just proud and grateful that we can be part of this. It’s such a beautiful facility—you don’t think cities can do this anymore. And not only did they do it, but we feel like this is ours too. It’s a nice feeling.”

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