Central Park Conservancy Ranger Corps
Together, we’re creating a safe and welcoming Central Park for all.
Central Park is more than a destination—it’s a shared space, a sanctuary, a symbol of New York itself. And with over 42 million visits each year, the Park is always alive with movement, stories, and connection. To protect that experience for everyone, the need has never been greater for a dedicated, visible, and knowledgeable presence in the Park.
Introducing the Central Park Ranger Corps—a new initiative by the Central Park Conservancy—designed to guide and support everyone who enters the Park.
–Betsy Smith, President & CEO of the Central Park ConservancyThe Rangers offer a friendly, informed presence to help guide appropriate Park use and ensure the Park remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. This program is a natural extension of the Conservancy’s larger work to invest in the public realm and protect Central Park for generations to come.
Enhancing the Everyday Park Experience
To provide a steady, supportive, and visible human presence, the Park Rangers will be stationed throughout the Park seven days a week—easily identifiable in distinct green uniforms. Their mission is simple: to protect the Park’s character and foster a welcoming, well-managed environment for everyone.
Whether resolving minor issues, sharing knowledge about a landmark, or coordinating with partner agencies, they embody the Conservancy’s long-standing commitment to long-term care and stewardship, ensuring that Central Park remains a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive public space for generations to come.
The Central Park Rangers are unique in their community-focused approach, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and visibility—not enforcement.
WHAT CENTRAL PARK RANGERS DO
- Address quality-of-life concerns
- Monitor pedestrian and visitor safety
- Ensure vendor and permit compliance
- Resolve space-use conflicts and public incivility
- Support field staff to address public inquiries, concerns, and disputes
- Assist with wayfinding, public questions, and provide general Park security
- Engage with clubs, leagues, and other special interest groups
- Serve as liaisons to City agencies for emergencies and crimes
- Promote adherence to NYC Parks rules, respectful Park use, and Conservancy standards
- Share knowledge of the Park’s history, features, and landmarks
WHAT CITY AGENCIES HANDLE
- Respond to crimes, including assaults, robberies, and thefts
- Provide outreach and services for unhoused individuals
- Enforce laws and make arrests
- Issue summonses
- Respond to medical emergencies
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CENTRAL PARK RANGER
EARLY MORNING
By 7:00 am, Central Park is waking up—and the Park Rangers are already out and about. One of the first responsibilities of the morning is checking in on some of the Park’s most vulnerable visitors: those experiencing homelessness. With care, the Rangers ensure unhoused individuals are safe and connect them with city services, if they’re open to support. It's a quiet hour—marked by a moment of dignity and a sense of shared responsibility.
AS THE PARK FILLS UP
As the Park begins to fill with joggers, dog walkers, and early commuters, the Park Rangers shift gears. Around 9:15 am, it’s time for reminders: Dogs must now be leashed. Groundskeepers and maintenance teams have been hard at work on the landscapes since dawn, and the Rangers help ensure they can do their jobs smoothly.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
During the day, Park Rangers are the eyes and ears of the Park. Each afternoon brings something new—whether they’re assisting with a medical emergency, responding to a report of a lost child, or protecting sensitive landscapes by reminding visitors of the rules. More than enforcing order, they guide, inform, and help—creating the conditions that make the Park feel welcoming, safe, and cared for.
EARLY MORNING
By 7:00 am, Central Park is waking up—and the Park Rangers are already out and about. One of the first responsibilities of the morning is checking in on some of the Park’s most vulnerable visitors: those experiencing homelessness. With care, the Rangers ensure unhoused individuals are safe and connect them with city services, if they’re open to support. It's a quiet hour—marked by a moment of dignity and a sense of shared responsibility.
AS THE PARK FILLS UP
As the Park begins to fill with joggers, dog walkers, and early commuters, the Park Rangers shift gears. Around 9:15 am, it’s time for reminders: Dogs must now be leashed. Groundskeepers and maintenance teams have been hard at work on the landscapes since dawn, and the Rangers help ensure they can do their jobs smoothly.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
During the day, Park Rangers are the eyes and ears of the Park. Each afternoon brings something new—whether they’re assisting with a medical emergency, responding to a report of a lost child, or protecting sensitive landscapes by reminding visitors of the rules. More than enforcing order, they guide, inform, and help—creating the conditions that make the Park feel welcoming, safe, and cared for.
Already, the Park Rangers’ impact is clear. In just their first 20 days of uniform, they’ve addressed more than 760 conditions across the Park, including offering support to over 100 unhoused individuals and responded to over 60 incidents—from reuniting lost children with families to aiding injured wildlife. And the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The Rangers’ distinctive green uniforms and approachable demeanor have made them trusted ambassadors of the Conservancy.
This is what stewardship looks like in motion. And for the millions of people who visit every year, Park Rangers help transform Central Park from a landmark into a place that feels like it belongs to all of us.
NEED HELP IN THE PARK?
If you need assistance, you can:
- Speak with any Conservancy staff member and request Central Park Ranger assistance
- Contact us by phone or email so our team can connect you directly with the Central Park Conservancy Rangers Corp
For emergencies or general reports, continue to report emergencies at 911 or file general reports at 311.
