Rules & Regulations

Central Park is enjoyed by over 35 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 and 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. The following are a few of the most basic Park rules, for a more comprehensive list see other pages in this section of the site.

Alcohol in the Park
Per the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, which establishes the rules and regulations for all City parks, alcohol is prohibited in Central Park.

Wildlife in the Park
Respect the wildlife. Never feed or approach a wild, stray or injured animal. If you see something, say something: call 311 or notify a Conservancy employee.

Dogs in the Park
Dogs are welcome in Central Park. Though there are no enclosed dog runs there are 23 particularly dog-friendly areas.

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 and Strawberry Fields.

Dogs must be leashed at all times in the following locations:

• 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
• Other areas where signs are posted

Driving in the Park
The Park drives open to vehicular traffic only during certain hours:

West Drive (from 110th Street south to Central Park South & 7th Avenue) High Occupancy Vehicles only
Weekdays: 8am-10am

East Drive (from 72nd Street/Fifth Avenue to 110th Street)
Weekdays: 3pm-7pm

Center Drive/East Drive (from the 6th Avenue entrance on Central Park South to the East 72nd Street & 5th Avenue exit)
Weekdays: 7am-7pm

72nd Street Cross Drive (from 72nd Street/Fifth Avenue to West Drive South)
Weekdays: 8am-10am
 
The speed limit in Central Park is 25 mph and strictly enforced.