Strawberry Fields (memorial)
Area Memorial to John Lennon in Central Park
Inside Central Park near the Dakota, Strawberry Fields marks the John Lennon memorial and contains the ‘Imagine’ mosaic; visitors come to pay tribute, leave flowers and join occasional memorial gatherings.
Strawberry Fields is a landscaped memorial in Manhattan’s Central Park dedicated to John Lennon. The memorial was created and unveiled in the mid-1980s and features the central black-and-white “Imagine” mosaic.
The circular “Imagine” mosaic is the memorial’s focal point and is set within a planted, pedestrianized garden area that is kept deliberately calm and traffic-free. Visitors commonly pause at the mosaic, leave flowers and photographs, and use the area as a place for private remembrance.
Groups and solo visitors often assemble at the site on October 9 and December 8 for informal commemorations, and the memorial is immediately adjacent to the Dakota apartments where Lennon lived.
The site was created through a collaborative effort between Yoko Ono and New York City and opened to the public in 1985. The central mosaic was a gift from the city of Naples, Italy.
Sited in Central Park on the west side near West 72nd Street and Central Park West, the memorial is directly opposite the Dakota building and is accessible by several nearby subway stops on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
- Commemoration dates: The memorial is frequently visited on John Lennon's birthday (October 9) and on the anniversary of his death (December 8), when fans gather at the mosaic.
- Location and access: Located immediately west of the Dakota building on West 72nd Street, the site is a short walk from subway stations on the Upper West Side and is maintained as a quiet zone in Central Park.
What to See #
- "Imagine" mosaic: The black-and-white stone mosaic inscribed "IMAGINE," a gift from Naples, Italy, forms the focal point of the memorial and sits at ground level within the landscaped plot.
- Strawberry Fields landscaped area: The landscaped plot and pathways form a quiet, traffic-free area of Central Park bordered by West 72nd Street and adjacent to the Dakota apartment building.
How to Get to Strawberry Fields (memorial) #
From Midtown Manhattan, take the MTA subway to 72nd Street (B/C lines) and walk west to Central Park West; the memorial sits just inside the park across from the Dakota. From the east side of the park, walk west along transverse paths to 72nd Street. Street parking in the area is limited.
Tips for Visiting Strawberry Fields (memorial) #
- Visit early morning or late evening to catch quieter moments and better light for photos of the mosaic 'Imagine'.
- Respect the memorial's contemplative nature-lawn picnics and loud music are frowned upon by locals.
- Combine a visit with a stroll through Central Park West and the Dakota building nearby for historic context.
Best Time to Visit Strawberry Fields (memorial) #
Anytime is possible, but mornings and late afternoons in spring and autumn combine pleasant weather with lower crowds.
Weather & Climate near Strawberry Fields (memorial) #
Strawberry Fields (memorial)'s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1213 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).