Central Park FAQ

Accessibility

Information about accessible facilities, events, and resources are available on the NYC Parks website.

Many people in wheelchairs visit Central Park and find that navigating the paths is possible. There are some locations with stairs so we suggest you begin at one of our Visitor Centers or Information Kiosks where a guide can review a map with you and identify accessible paths. You can also download our Central Park Access Map. While you’re in the Park, you may also stop Conservancy staff to ask for directions and guidance.

There are no wheelchairs or scooters available for rent inside the Park.

Ballfield Closures

Central Park’s ballfields are open most days during spring, summer, and fall. To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a ballfield, that ballfield is closed.

Each winter, Central Park’s ballfields close for the season. This allows our turf crew to provide much-needed care for the landscape, ensuring that it will be ready for the influx of visitors come spring.

In cases of inclement weather, please call our hotline to learn whether a ballfield is open:

  • Central Park Ballfield Hotline: 212-628-1036
  • Great Lawn – ext. 330
  • North Meadow – ext. 331
  • Heckscher – ext. 332

For information about scheduled ballfield maintenance throughout Central Park, visit our Alerts & Closures page.

Bike Rentals

Bicycles are available for rent through BikeRent NYC, which operates at two locations on a seasonal basis. Visit our biking page for more information.

  • Southeast Corner: East Side Perimeter Wall at the Grand Army Plaza entrance to The Pond at Fifth Avenue and 60th Street: 917-283-2453
  • Southwest Corner: Merchants’ Gate Plaza (next to Columbus Circle at Central Park South and Central Park West): 917-283-2453

Boats

Row boats and gondolas are available for rent at the Lake from April – October, 10:00 am – dusk, weather permitting. For pricing and details, contact the Loeb Boathouse at 212-517-2233 or visit www.thecentralparkboathouse.com.

Model boats are available for rent at Conservatory Water. Contact the Kerbs Boathouse at 917-522-0054.

Donations & Membership

75% of the budget needed to keep the Park beautiful and vibrant comes from individual donors. Visit our support page to make a donation, become a member, or honor someone special in Central Park.

Already a member? Your discount code is on your Central Park Conservancy membership card (a word and a number). For questions about donations, membership perks, or mail list preferences, please contact the membership department at 212-310-6672 or membership@centralparknyc.org.

Film & Photography

A permit and coordination with the Central Park Conservancy may be required. Learn more>

Fishing

Catch-and-release fishing at the Harlem Meer has become a favorite community pastime in Central Park. Free fishing poles are available to borrow at The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. Learn more>

Groups, Activities, Performances

If you want to have any activity or performance in Central Park with more than 20 people, OR if you would like to reserve a specific area in the Park, you must apply for a special event permit with NYC Parks. For more information, please visit their website. Also, please be aware that designated quiet zones and should be avoided if you are doing a performance.

The Conservancy offers several programs for school groups. Learn more>

Hours

Central Park is free and open to visitors 365 days a year. The Park opens at 6:00 am and closes at 1:00 am. For notifications about closures, see our Alerts and Closures page and follow us on twitter @centralparknyc.

Ice Skating

The Conservancy does not manage the ice rinks – for information about ice skating in Central Park, please contact Wollman Rink at 212-439-6900, or Lasker Rink at 212-534-7639. Skating usually starts in mid-November.

In addition, when conditions allow, Conservatory Water (also known as the model boat pond) is open for free skating from dawn till dusk. Signs are posted. You must bring your own skates. Skating is not permitted on any other water bodies in the Park. Learn more>

Integrated Pest Management

In order to maintain the health of Central Park for its over 42 million visitors each year, the Central Park Conservancy’s management practices include Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Pesticide application in Central Park — used to manage disease, harmful and invasive plants, and rats — is performed only when necessary and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Central Park Conservancy follows regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines determined by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York City Department of Health, and New York City Parks. To alert Park visitors, signage is posted adjacent to treated areas 24 hours prior to, and for 72 hours after application. Treated areas remain closed to public access for a minimum of 24 hours following application.

Jobs

For information about employment with the Central Park Conservancy, see our current job opportunities.

Lawn Closures

Central Park’s lawns are open most days during spring, summer, and fall. To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a lawn, that area is closed.

Each winter, Central Park’s lawns close for the season. This allows our turf crew to provide much-needed care for the landscape, ensuring that it will be ready for the influx of visitors come spring.

For information about scheduled turf care maintenance throughout Central Park, visit our Alerts & Closures page.

Lost & Found

The Conservancy does not keep a Lost and Found. All items are turned into the Central Park Police Precinct by the 86th Street Transverse Road: 212-570-4820.

Maps

The Conservancy offers free interactive and downloadable maps of Central Park. See all maps>

You can also pick up a free Central Park map at any of our Visitor Centers or purchase a copy of the Official Map and Guide to Central Park from our online Shop.

Parking

There is no parking in Central Park. Many parking garages are available nearby.

Parks & Nonprofits

Park maintenance groups or nonprofits looking for information about the Central Park Conservancy’s practices should contact the Institute for Urban Parks at institute@centralparknyc.org.

Press Inquiries

Members of the press can contact us at john@centralpark.org.

For film and photo requests, a permit and coordination with the Central Park Conservancy may be required. Learn more>

Quiet Zones

NYC Parks Commissioner has designated the following areas as quiet zones, where speakers, musical instruments, and other noise disruptions are prohibited:

  • Bethesda Terrace: mid-Park at 72nd Street
  • Conservatory Garden: East Side from 104th-106th Streets
  • Conservatory Water (Model Boat Pond): East Side from 72nd to 75th Street
  • East Green: East Side from 69th Street – 72nd Street
  • Shakespeare Garden: West Side between 79th and 80th Streets
  • Sheep Meadow: West Side from 66th to 69th Streets
  • Strawberry Fields: West Side between 71st and 74th Streets
  • Turtle Pond: mid-Park between 79th and 80th Streets

Red Flags

To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a lawn or ballfield, that area is closed.

Research

We’ve gathered guidelines and resources for visitors, students, teachers, scholars, and professionals interested in researching Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy. Learn more>

Rules & Enforcement

NYC Parks establishes rules and regulations for Central Park. Visit their website for the complete list.

New York City Police Department and Parks Enforcement Patrol are responsible for enforcing all rules and regulations. Report problems directly to these agencies:

Learn more about Park rules>

Streetlights

Lights in the Park are managed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). You can report light outages to DOT online or on Twitter.

Visit

Planning a trip to Central Park? Check out our directory for everything you need to plan your visit, or stop by a visitor center:

  • Chess & Checkers House: mid-Park at 64th Street
  • Dairy Visitor Center: mid-Park at 65th Street
  • Columbus Circle Information Kiosk (open seasonally, spring through fall): West 59th Street at Columbus Circle
  • Charles A. Dana Discovery Center: 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community and support the Central Park Conservancy! Learn more>

Water Fountains

In the spring, plumbers from NYC Parks turn on the water to ornamental and drinking fountains, restrooms, and irrigation systems across the Park. They are turned off in the winter.

Weddings

For weddings in Conservatory Garden, see our Weddings page.

For weddings in other Central Park locations see the NYC Parks guidelines.

Wildlife

Respect the wildlife in Central Park. Never feed or approach a wild, stray, or injured animal. For matters relating to wildlife in the Park, please contact the Urban Park Rangers at 212.360.2774. To report sick or injured animals, visit 311 Online or dial 311; outside of NYC, call 212.NEW.YORK. The more information you can provide 311, the better. For emergencies, dial 911.

Zoo

The Central Park Conservancy is not affiliated with the Central Park Zoo. Visit the Zoo website