Douglas Blonsky

Douglas Blonsky has been with the Central Park Conservancy since 1985. He was appointed President & CEO in 2004. He is also Central Park Administrator, appointed in 1998 when the Conservancy formalized its partnership with the City of New York by signing a historic management contract.

Mr. Blonsky oversees a staff of more than 250 and over 3,000 volunteers who contribute 30,000 hours of service each year. As a result of the proven track record of the Conservancy in renovation and supervision, the Conservancy assumed responsibility as general contractor and project manager for all Central Park capital projects, including those that are City-funded. Mr. Blonsky has been directly responsible for the effective management of $250 million in capital projects, including a number that have received prestigious design awards.

Under Mr. Blonsky’s leadership, the Conservancy has completed such noteworthy restoration projects as the Great Lawn, Harlem Meer, Merchants’ Gate, Mall, Conservatory Water, Pond, Pool, and Reservoir fence. It has developed several innovative Park management and preservation practices, which have set the standard for park management nationwide. The zone management system, for example, divides Central Park into 49 zones, each with a dedicated gardener who provides a uniformed presence and is held accountable for his or her zone. This system is directly responsible for cleanliness and productivity improvements throughout the Park. In addition, the Conservancy developed and implemented a program to train and mentor NYC Parks Department gardeners from underserved parks in all five boroughs (Neighborhood Parks Initiative). They are trained by Conservancy staff in Central Park in horticulture, maintenance, and management.

During his tenure, Mr. Blonsky has also managed the operational logistics of some of the largest events in the Park, including The Gates; September 11th first anniversary remembrance; New York City Marathon; annual performances by the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera; concerts by Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Sting, and Dave Matthews; the premiere of Disney’s Pocahontas; and a Mass given by Pope John Paul II.

A graduate of the University of Delaware and Cook College at Rutgers University, Mr. Blonsky holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, and is a registered landscape architect in New York State.