Completed in 1862, the Trefoil Arch stands as a testament to unique design. You’re standing on the East Side at 73rd Street. The Trefoil Arch is nestled between Bethesda Fountain and the Loeb Boathouse.
This arch is one of Central Park’s 35 bridges and arches. Each one boasts its own distinct character. What sets the Trefoil Arch apart? It’s the only one with different designs on each side.
Look closely at the east side. Do you see the three-lobe patterned arch? That’s the trefoil. This gives the arch its name. Quatrefoils in round frames decorate it. Four small circles border the trefoil. The east side showcases a Gothic style with two focal points. They are equidistant from the center. The coping features a richly carved floral pattern.
Now, shift your gaze to the west side of the Trefoil Arch. Notice the round archway. Curved, rustic voussoirs, or wedge-shaped stones, adorn it. The walls here have a tooled surface. Buttresses rise to round posts with floral relief.
Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould designed this ornamental archway. It carries the East Drive above. It links pedestrians from Conservatory Water to the Lake and Bethesda Terrace.
Underneath the East Drive, the Trefoil Arch’s span measures 15 feet 10 inches. Its highest point reaches 11 feet 9 inches above the path. The underpass extends 66 feet. The railing stretches 110 feet long.
The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park noted similarities between the Terrace Bridge and Trefoil Arch. Both carry a carriage road and path over another path. The roadway above rests on similar wrought-iron girders. Both stand on rubble stone masonry foundations.
Brownstone makes up the revetment throughout the Trefoil Arch. This was not the favored stone for park bridges. Vaux usually chose New Brunswick sandstone. Common brick lines the tunnel inside under wood sheathing. Cast iron forms the east railing.
Interestingly, the Trefoil Arch even made a cameo in Jack Lemmon’s “The Out of Towners.” It’s one of the most virulently anti-New York films ever made.
Take a moment to appreciate the Trefoil Arch. It connects pathways and offers a glimpse into the artistry of Central Park’s design. It’s a place where history and beauty converge.