Central Park Conservancy: Central Park Website: FAQs

FAQs

Welcome to the Central Park FAQs (frequently asked questions) section where you will find general information on a variety of Park features. More specific information can be found throughout the site.

FAQ Quick Reference
Restrooms	Restaurants
Permits	Visitor Centers

1. How big is Central Park?

    843 acres or 6% of Manhattan's total acreage, including:
     150 acres in 7 waterbodies
      250 acres of lawns
       136 acres of woodlands

2. How far is it....

Around the whole of Central Park? 6 miles (2.5 miles north to south from 110th Street to 59th Street and .5 miles east to west from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West)
Around the Reservoir Running Track? 1.58 miles
Around the Great Lawn Oval? .556 miles
Around the Harlem Meer? .8 miles
Along the Park Drives? Starting at Engineer’s Gate at 90th St. & Fifth Avenue
- Full Loop: 6.1 miles
- Upper Loop, taking 102nd St. cutoff: 5.2 miles
- Lower Loop, taking 72nd St. cutoff: 1.7 miles
- Along the Bridle Path: 4.25 miles
- Along all the pedestrian pathways: 58 miles

3. When is the Park closed?

Central Park closes at 1:00 am and opens at 6:00 am, 365 days a year.

4. When are Park Drives OPEN to vehicular traffic?

West Drive (from 110th Street south to Central Park South & 7th Avenue)

               Weekdays: 8:00 am - 10:00 am

               Note: High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV = 2 passengers or more per vehicle) restriction
              in effect along the West Drive (between the Lenox Avenue entrance and the 7th Avenue exit)

East Drive (from 72nd Street/Fifth Avenue to 110th Street)

Weekdays: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Center Drive / East Drive (from the 6th Ave. entrance on Central Park South to the East 72nd Street
& 5th Ave. exit)

Weekdays: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

72nd Street Cross Drive (from 72nd Street/Fifth Avenue to West Drive South)

Weekdays: 8:00 am - 10:00 am

SPEED LIMIT 25 mph

5. How many people visit Central Park each year?

25 million

6. How many playgrounds are there in Central Park and where are they?

There are 21 playgrounds.
Click here for a list of locations and descriptions of each one.

7. Where is...?

     Balto?
     East 67th Street near the East Drive
     Alice in Wonderland?
     75th Street just north of Conservatory Water
     Hans Christian Andersen?
     74th Street just west of Conservatory Water
     The Obelisk (Cleopatra's Needle)?
     81st Street behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art

     There also are 48 other fountains, monuments, and sculptures
      in Central Park. For a virtual tour of Central Park's sculptures
      and monuments, click here

8. How many trees are there in Central Park?

26,000, including 1,700 American Elms

9. How many benches are there in Central Park?

Over 9,000, which would stretch 7 miles if placed end to end.
To adopt a bench, click here.

10. How many bridges and arches are there in Central Park?

11. How many species of birds are there in Central Park?

More than 275 species of migratory birds have been sighted
in the Park, a major stopping point on the Atlantic flyway.

12. How many fountains are there in Central Park?

There are seven ornamental fountains and approximately 150 drinking
fountains. The ornamental fountains are:

Angel of the Waters at Bethesda Terrace
Burnett Fountain at Conservatory Garden's English garden to the south
Conservatory Garden's Italian garden in the center
Untermyer Fountain at Conservatory Garden's French garden to the north
Cherry Hill
Sophie Loeb Fountain
Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza

13. Where can I get a tour of Central Park?

Click on: Things to Do: Tours

14. Where can I get a map of Central Park?

The Map & Guide can be purchased for $4.00 at the Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop, mid-Park at 65th Street. It may also be purchased through our online store. To order a copy by mail, send a check for $5.00 (includes shipping & handling) payable to Central Park Conservancy to:

Central Park Conservancy
Map & Guide
14 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022

To print a free black-and-white map, click on map pdf

To view the list of all maps available for printing, click here.

15. Where can I go for quiet relaxation?

For visitors seeking peace and tranquility in Central Park, there are six designated quiet zones. These are Strawberry Fields, Sheep Meadow, East Green (located at the northern end of the Dene), Conservatory Garden, Shakespeare Garden, and Turtle Pond.

There are signs posted in each of these areas indicating the following:

This area is reserved for quiet enjoyment. Musical instruments are not allowed, headphones are required for radios.

Dogs must be leashed and kept on the pathways at all times
No running, rollerblading, or bike riding
No organized, active recreation or sports allowed
Feeding of birds and other wildlife prohibited

16a. Where can I not take my dog?

Dogs are prohibited in playgrounds, display fountains, bodies of water reserved for wildlife, ballfields (Great Lawn, North Meadow, Heckscher), the Elm Islands at the Mall, Sheep Meadow, East Green, Strawberry Fields.

16b. Where must my dog be leashed at all times?

In the woodlands (Ramble, North Woods), on the bridle path, Conservatory Garden, Cedar Hill, Kerbs Boathouse Plaza (at the model boat pond), Arthur Ross Pinteum, Turtle Pond, and other areas where signs are posted.

17. Park Rules and Regulations

Central Park is enjoyed by over 25 million visitors each year, with millions more enjoying New York City's other parks. To ensure that everyone has the most pleasurable experience possible, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has established rules and regulations for all City parks. Officers from the Police Department (Central Park has its own precinct) and PEP (Parks Enforcement Patrol) are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations. To view them please click here.

In addition, there are specific guidelines that apply to Central Park. They can be found on this website:

             Filiming and Photography in Central Park: click here
             Dogs in Central Park: click here
             Park Drive regulations: see FAQ #4
             Permits (Special Events/Ballfields/Picnics): see FAQ quick reference at top of this page
             Fishing in Central Park: click here
             Wedding Ceremonies and Photography: click here
             Park Hours: see FAQ #3
             Sports: click here

18. Is alcohol allowed in the Park?

Per the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, which establishes the rules and regulations for all City parks, alcohol is prohibited in all parks including Central Park. To view the rule, please click here.

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