Autumn Leaf Sweep

Raking leaves is one of the biggest projects the Conservancy tackles all year in 843-acre Central Park.

The last leaves have fallen off Central Park's trees, piling up to one of the biggest jobs the Conservancy tackles all year.

"Leaf-raking is in full swing in Central Park," Maria Hernandez, the Conservancy's Director of Horticulture, said at a volunteer leaf sweep north of the Great Lawn. "It's a huge effort. We really wouldn't be able to do it without the help of our volunteers."

This year leaf raking in Central Park got off to a late start, delayed by the foliage's late peak and the Conservancy's cleanup of the destructive Halloween snowstorm.

"But we're pushing forward with raking now," Hernandez said. "Everyone's really working together."

With 843 Park acres to rake, sweep, vacuum or mulch-mow, leaf clearing typically stretches into February.  It's a highly coordinated effort between Conservancy staff and volunteers: leaves that aren't mowed into the turf are raked into bags, tarps or carts and hauled to one of the dozens of leaf bins positioned throughout the Park. Once the bins are filled, the leaves are taken up to the Conservancy's composting operation at the Mount, inside the Park at East 102nd Street. The material – an estimated 3,000 cubic yards each autumn – eventually breaks down into the rich compost that the Conservancy uses in planting and horticultural projects.

"Raking is such a fundamental part of keeping the Park clean and supporting our staff's efforts," said Michael Aronowitz, Director of Volunteer Services. "It's a big project, and the volunteers make a huge dent in the collection."

Taking a break from the leaf sweep on a recent morning, Fern Stolper leaned against her rake, trying to explain why she's volunteered with the Conservancy for the past 20 years.

"It's wonderful to be able to give back to the Park. And the people who volunteer are just great to work with," said Stolper, who lives on the Upper West Side. "It's hard to explain why, exactly. Really, I just love Central Park."

Learn how you can rake leaves or lend a hand in other Central Park horticulture projects with the Conservancy's Saturday Green Team. Or, discover other ways you can give back to your Park by volunteering.