End of the Six-Year Ice Follies

New York City's Central Park last week looked like an autumn painting, framed in leaves of russet and gold and brushed with soft sunlight. In the shadow of Manhattan's skyline, workers bustled around the Wollman Memorial Rink. One crew hoisted lights for night skating, while another busily polished rest stands for skaters. Someone at the controls of the music system surrendered to an impulse and played the Skater's Waltz. Said Jogger Susan Dorrity, who stopped to watch the activity: "I can't believe it's done."

Nor can many others. Closed in 1980 for repairs, the rink over the next six years became...