Ultimately, in the most ambitious part of the project, the park's historically rich central fixture, Castle Clinton, would be rebuilt.
A portion of one wall was placed on temporary display inside Castle Clinton.
The city aquarium opened in Castle Clinton, a fort dating from the War of 1812 that had been used for theatrical shows.
The protests from historic preservationists and others brought this plan to a halt, but not before Castle Clinton's roof had been removed.
Castle Clinton, built just before the War of 1812, has housed an immigration center, a theater and an aquarium.
It appears much as it did in its earliest days, contains a museum, and is again called Castle Clinton.
Castle Clinton, the reconstructed fort in the park, was built around 1810 on what had been an island about 200 feet from shore.
Castle Clinton, at the tip of Manhattan, has had a long and varied existence.
Passes are available at the ticket office inside Castle Clinton in Battery Park.
Castle Clinton then became the city's aquarium until 1941.