Volunteer Tour Program Celebrates Ten Years of Free Walking Tours

In an effort to encourage visitors to explore Central Park, the Conservancy’s Volunteer Tour Program was founded in 1997 as the Docent Program.  Following a decade of restoration, daily maintenance, and operations, the Conservancy was confident it was time to show off this masterpiece of landscape architecture as a safe and welcoming respite for New Yorkers and visitors alike.  

The Conservancy realized that programming was key in educating the public, and bringing them into the Park.  Thanks to a large grant to fund family and community programming, volunteer led-tours were developed for visitors to explore all parts of the Park, including the lesser-known north end.  The public was introduced to the restoration work the Conservancy had undertaken, while learning about the scenic, architectural, and historic elements of the Park.  Visitors were then encouraged to visit other areas of the Park on their own.

The first free weekend tours were offered from April through December in 1997.  To accommodate public interest, the Tour Program increased its offerings to the 10 tours we have today.  The walking tours, offered free to the public, are open to individuals and groups of up to six people. Custom tours are fee-based, and are designed and scheduled according to the needs of the group.  

The Conservancy’s tours are intended to give people a glimpse of the Park’s history including why and how it was built, who the original players were, why the Conservancy strives to restore the Park in the spirit of its original design, and how we plan to preserve Central Park for future generations. 

Whether you take one of our theme-related walking tours or opt for a custom tour, you will be delighted and thrilled with each guide’s presentation of the Park’s our history, design and ecology. With a roster of 26 dedicated and knowledgeable tour guides (six of whom have been guides since the beginning), the Program continues to grow and expand, offering a wonderful service to New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Learn more about free walking tours offered by the Central Park Conservancy.