Press Release
NEW YORK—Following the release of unverified claims regarding the tragic death of a working carriage horse in Central Park on June 9, a spokesperson for the Conservancy has issued the following statement:
"TWU has now demonstrated how their own negligence has resulted in this unfortunate incident, since NYC Parks rules plainly forbid horses from eating vegetation anywhere across our 843 acres. The same rule requires carriage drivers and operators to attend to their horses at all times in order to keep them safe and healthy. Perhaps if they had, Deniz would not have suffered as he did, and died.
"This tragedy underscores something larger: it’s time for New York City to join other major cities around the world and ban horse carriages from our city. Today’s Park is busier and more crowded than ever. For the safety of visitors, other animals, and the horses themselves, we continue to support a ban on carriage horse rides in the Park."
On background:
The NYC Parks rule referenced is § 1-05 Regulated Uses. (q) (2) It shall be a violation of these rules to ride a horse into or within a park in a reckless manner; to allow the horse to be left unbridled or unattended; or to allow the horse to cause any damage to any tree, plant, flower, shrubbery or other vegetation under the jurisdiction of the Department.
Japanese yew is among the most common ornamental plantings in the US and Canada, regularly used in horticulture and items such as Christmas wreaths.
In the last 13 months, there have been seven horse-related incidents in Central Park:
- June 9, 2026—A horse has a medical emergency and collapses near 72nd Street & West Drive. Seconds later, the horse passes away. Two tourists were in the carriage when the horse collapsed, and dozens of parkgoers witnessed its tragic death. Watch here.
- May 19, 2026—A horse is spooked near Seventh Avenue and 59th Street and hit another carriage, causing it to tip over. One driver was taken to a local hospital in a neck brace. Watch here.
- January 8, 2026—A horse named Destiny ran into oncoming traffic through the four-way intersection of Sixth Avenue and West 59th Street. Police said four to five cars were hit; the carriage struck a cab with enough force to tear its bumper off, and a Parks Department vehicle suffered damage. Watch here.
- September 4, 2025—Two visiting tourists were forced to jump from a speeding horse-drawn carriage after the animal bolted from its two drivers along the East Drive, careening across a landscape and taking out a metal sign before finally coming to rest near Bethesda Terrace. Watch here.
- May 26, 2025—Two horse-drawn carriages bolt through Central Park near the 60th Street & East Drive. Both carriage operators sustained injuries while attempting to regain control of the horses. The second driver broke his wrist catching his horse and needed surgery. Watch here.
- May 18, 2025—A driver was hurt after two horse-drawn carriages collided in Central Park at the 7th Avenue hack line, causing the carriage to overturn and briefly trapping the driver, who was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Watch here.
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About the Central Park Conservancy The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages Central Park and is responsible for raising the Park's annual operating budget. The Conservancy’s staff of 400 is responsible for all aspects of the Park’s stewardship, from day-to-day maintenance and operations to continued restoration and rebuilding projects. Additionally, the Conservancy operates the Park’s visitor centers, provides public programs, and serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. For more information, please visit centralparknyc.org.
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