Photo of the Day: Pine Bank Arch, Central Park, NYC

I didn’t have as much time as I would like on Saturday, but early in the afternoon, I spent several minutes, just beyond the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park, taking in the southwest corner of this amazing New York institution. In particular, I photographed what you see here, Pine Bank Arch. Built in 1861 by J.B. and W.W. Cornell Ironworks, this was one of Central Park's seven original cast-iron bridges, and one of just five of the original remaining. 

Its survival is itself miraculous: By 1984, its dilapidated condition required a costly renovation, involving fabrication of parts that had fallen off, scraping off old paint and rust, and substituting a wooden walkway for an old concrete deck. Even now, it must brave the elements (including, as you see here, the snow—still evident two days later—that fell Thursday).