Institute for Urban Parks
Since its earliest days, the Conservancy has provided critical assistance and support to parks throughout New York City and across the globe.
The Central Park Conservancy Institute for Urban Parks, founded in 2013, draws on the Conservancy’s history and expertise as a leader in the field of urban park management and public-private park partnerships to empower, inform, connect, and celebrate the individuals and organizations that care for urban parks so that all urban park organizations have the knowledge, leadership, connections, and capacity to create, maintain, and support great public spaces.
Continuing Education
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Urban Park Leadership Program
Designed for senior-level urban park professionals, the Leadership Program offers the skills and knowledge critical to the successful management of urban parks and the public-private partnerships that support them. -
The Essentials of Urban Park Management Certificate
The Certificate program provides a professional non-credit credential for current urban park managers and focuses on practices critical to the care and management of urban parks.
Capacity Building
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Partnerships Lab
Through a collaborative eight-month process, the Institute engages with organizations and agencies in New York City and across the country, helping them strengthen their ability to foster great parks and public spaces. -
Five Borough Program
Since 2014, the Five Borough Program—operated in partnership with NYC Parks—is designed to create lasting change in the care and resiliency of parks throughout New York City.
Thought Leadership
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Urban Park Management Resources
Access publications, strategies, and more about the management and care of urban parks. -
Urban Park Roundtable
The Urban Park Roundtable series invites park professionals across North America for two-day convenings, focused on relevant topics, challenges, and innovations in the field of urban park management.
Join the Institute mailing list to learn about upcoming events, workshops, publications, opportunities, and much more!
Support for the Institute for Urban Parks is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mr. & Mrs. Russell L. Carson, Charina Endowment Fund, The Jerome L. Greene Foundation, Nadine & Michael Grobstein, The JPB Foundation, Ralph & Ricky Lauren, Ira & Susan Millstein, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, Sarah Peter, and The Prospect Hill Foundation, Inc.
Meet the Institute
The Institute’s team brings a combination of nonprofit expertise and experience—in park management, design, philanthropy, facilitation, and evaluation—through our work to support park professionals and the care of urban parks in New York City and around the country.