Just two months ago, Lincoln Center reopened its public plaza, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfrew Architects. Some of the key features on North Plaza include a new reflecting pool that replaces the original Dan Kiley design, which suffered leaks so serious that, from the outset, the arts complex was known to insiders as "Leaky Center." The new incarnation seems smaller, if only because the Henry Moore sculpture now seems even larger than before.

A new, slightly elevated seating area (called the Benenson and Barclays Capital Grove), with a pebble covered surface, a grove of trees, and Bertoia chairs with bright red cushions, is one of the nicest features amid the concrete that abounds. Even during this week's heat wave, the shady area felt cool and breezy.

Left: Illumination Lawn on May 22nd, with Reclining Figure, 1964 by Henry Moore (middle) and Benenson and Barclay Capital Grove in the background. Right: Illumination Lawn on July 26th. Photos: Peggy Roalf.

Something entirely new, the sharply tilted, 10,000-square-foot Illumination Lawn, opened to rave reviews and massive crowds of people looking for some cool grass to sit on (above, left). Unfortunately, the sod was nearly trampled to death and the lawn, which developed large brown spots, was closed two weeks after it opened. According to a Lincoln Center spokesperson, the irrigation system had to be adjusted and a new granite stepping stone installed to buffer the tread of oncoming crowds.

The lawn is open again, but it's hard to tell, due to the massive safety-orange barricades surrounding the terraced grass steps (above, right). In fact, the entire lawn appears to be under siege, with only a narrow opening onto the tilted green. The other day, it was sparsely populated, with just a few ballet students doing cartwheels and pirouettes on the upper section. There was no interference from security guards, who seem to look the other way when resident dancers are having a good time.

In a neighborhood so densely populated, you have to wonder what 10,000 square feet of open space can offer? Sounds like a lot, but compared to a football field (again, not so easy for a city dweller to picture in the mind's eye), it's pretty small.