Rules and Regulations

To ensure everyone can enjoy Central Park safely, NYC Parks has established rules and regulations for all New York City parks. Visit the NYC Parks website for the complete list.

The New York City Police Department and Parks Enforcement Patrol are responsible for enforcing all rules and regulations. Report problems directly to these agencies:

• Park rules: Parks Enforcement Patrol, 212-427-8700
• Law enforcement: NYPD Central Park Precinct, 212-570-4820
• Wildlife issues (birds, fish, raccoons, turtles, etc.): Urban Park Rangers, 212-360-2774
• City of New York: 311
• Emergency: 911

Alcohol

Alcohol is not permitted in Central Park.

Ballfield Closures

Central Park’s ballfields are open most days during spring, summer, and fall. To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a ballfield, that ballfield is closed.

Each winter, Central Park’s ballfields close for the season. This allows our turf crew to provide much-needed care for the landscape, ensuring that it will be ready for the influx of visitors come spring.

In cases of inclement weather, please call our hotline to learn whether a ballfield is open:

• Central Park Ballfield Hotline: 212-628-1036
• Great Lawn – ext. 330
• North Meadow – ext. 331
• Heckscher – ext. 332

For information about scheduled ballfield maintenance throughout Central Park, visit our Alerts.

Bicycling

• Cycling is not permitted on pedestrian paths except the marked shared paths at 96th Street and West 106th–108th Streets
• Cycling is not permitted on landscapes
• Travel only counterclockwise on the Drives that circle the Park
• Pedestrians have the right of way at all times
• At crosswalks: slow down, yield to pedestrians, and then proceed cautiously
• Obey all traffic laws, such as traffic signals, stop signs, and the 20 mph speed limit
• Travel at a slower speed in response to crowds, emergency, or weather conditions
• Obey all ONE WAY signs and arrows
• Children under age 14 must wear a helmet and helmets are recommended for every cyclist

Coyotes

Coyotes have been present in New York City for about 30 years and have been spotted in Central Park. The following rules of coexistence can keep Park visitors, pets, and coyotes safe.

• Observe from a distance. If you see a coyote, or a coyote appears to be watching you, maintain a safe distance.
• Keep coyotes wary. If you are approached by a coyote, make yourself look bigger by putting your arms up and make loud noises. Continue to use these hazing techniques until the coyote retreats.
• In case of a medical emergency, such as a bite from a coyote, call 911.
• Protect your pets. Always monitor pets when in any section of Central Park. We strongly encourage you to leash your pet even during courtesy off-leash hours.
• Do not allow pets to play with or approach coyotes.
• Be aware of your surroundings and vigilant in areas with dense vegetation, which coyotes use for cover and to search for food.
• Do not feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife lowers their sense of fear of humans and can condition them to approach people on their own.
• Properly dispose of garbage in secured containers to avoid indirectly feeding coyotes.
• Share information. Be proactive and share this information with your friends and neighbors.

For more information, please visit the WildlifeNYC website.

Dogs

New York City’s dogs love Central Park. To ensure visitors and pets alike stay safe, dog owners must follow the rules as outlined by NYC Parks.

Dogs are never allowed in the following locations:

• All ballfields and recreational courts
• All playgrounds
• All sand volleyball courts
• All water bodies, streams, and ornamental fountains
• Elm islands at the Mall
• Great Lawn Oval
• Hallett Nature Sanctuary
• Lilac Walk
• Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track
• Sheep Meadow

Dogs must be on-leash 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Off-leash hours are 6:00 am – 9:00 am and 9:00 pm – 1:00 am.

Even during off-leash hours, dogs must always be leashed in the following locations:

• Arthur Ross Pinetum
• Bridle Path
• Cedar Hill
• Children's Glade (Great Hill area)
• Conservatory Garden
• East Green
• East Meadow Oval
• Kerbs Boathouse Plaza
• The North Woods
• The Ramble
• Shakespeare Garden
• Strawberry Fields
• Turtle Pond Lawn
• Other areas where signs requiring dogs to be leashed are posted

Dog owners using Central Park have both the privileges and responsibilities established by NYC Parks:

• Dogs must always be under the control of their owner.
• Dogs must have a NYC license tag and valid rabies tag.
• Dogs must not dig, chase, or harm wildlife, damage Park property, or interfere with other Park users.
• Always clean up after your dog, including dog hair that you brush off in the Park.
• Please respect signs, fences, and red flags that may indicate temporary closures due to restoration, maintenance, or weather conditions.

Driving

The four Central Park transverse roads that run crosstown at 66th, 79th, 86th, and 96th Streets are open to motor vehicles. All other Central Park Drives are car-free.

Drones

Drones are not permitted in Central Park.

Events

Special event permits are required to reserve a specific area of the Park, or for activities with 20+ people. Apply through the NYC Parks website.

For restaurant venues in Central Park, please contact:

• Tavern on the Green, 212-877-8684
• Loeb Boathouse, 212-517-2233

Grilling and BBQs

Barbecuing is allowed only on these days, but not the entire holiday weekend:

• Memorial Day (last Monday in May): Barbecuing and grilling is not permitted inside the Park or the outside perimeter of the Park on Memorial Day 2020. Please visit NYC Parks for more information: https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/barbecue.
• 4th of July (whatever day of the week it falls on)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)

Barbecuing is not permitted in the following areas: athletic fields, playgrounds, woodlands (North Woods, the Ramble, Hallett Nature Sanctuary), landscapes that are fenced off, and Conservatory Garden.

We recommend locations above 96th Street, such as the lawn at the Harlem Meer or the Great Hill, because they’re less crowded than the southern part of the Park.

Use of propane is not allowed.

Lawn Closures

Central Park’s lawns are open most days during spring, summer, and fall. To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a lawn, that area is closed.

Each winter, Central Park’s lawns close for the season. This allows our turf crew to provide much-needed care for the landscape, ensuring that it will be ready for the influx of visitors come spring.

For information about scheduled turf care maintenance throughout Central Park, visit our Alerts.

Lost and Found

The Conservancy does not keep a Lost and Found. All items are turned into the Central Park Police Precinct by the 86th Street Transverse Road: 212-570-4820.

Parking

There is no parking in Central Park. Many parking garages are available nearby.

Quiet Zones

These areas are designated Quiet Zones; speakers, musical instruments, and other noise disruptions are prohibited:

• Bethesda Terrace
• Conservatory Garden
• Conservatory Water
• East Green
• Shakespeare Garden
• Sheep Meadow
• Strawberry Fields
• Turtle Pond

Red Flags

To allow for scheduled maintenance and rest after inclement weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to alert the public of closures. If you see a red flag on a lawn or ballfield, that area is closed.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in Central Park. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes. See all smoking rules from NYC Parks.

Streetlights

Lights in the Park are managed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). You can report light outages to DOT online, or on Twitter.

Water Fountains

In the spring, plumbers from NYC Parks turn on the water to ornamental and drinking fountains, restrooms, and irrigation systems across the Park. They are turned off in the winter.

Wildlife

Respect the wildlife in Central Park. Never feed or approach a wild, stray, or injured animal. For matters relating to wildlife in the Park, please contact the Urban Park Rangers: 212-360-2774. In an urgent situation, contact the Park Enforcement Patrol: 212-427-8700, the City of New York: 311, or notify a Central Park Conservancy staff member.