Rules, Regulations, & Permits
Everything you need to know to keep the Park a clean, safe and relaxing space for all
Alcohol & Smoking
Alcohol is no permitted in Central Park.
Smoking is not permitted in Central Park, including electronic cigarettes. See all smoking rules from NYC Parks.
Bicycling
Explore our Central Park Bike Map. If you are biking in the Park, please follow bike rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of all Park visitors. Remember to slow down at crosswalks, yield to pedestrians, and proceed with caution. Cycling on landscapes or pedestrian paths is prohibited, except the marked shared paths at 96th Street and West 106th–108th Streets.
Please remember:
- The Drives that circle the Park are one-way (counterclockwise only)
- Pedestrians have the right of way at all times
- 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, weather conditions, or emergencies
- Obey all ONE-WAY signs and arrows
- Children under age 14 must wear a helmet (recommended for every cyclist, regardless of age)
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 allowed in Central Park.
Events
There are many events that happen in Central Park, from concerts to weddings and birthday parties. To find information about a Conservancy-hosted event, visit the Conservancy Events page.
If you are looking to host an event in Central Park, you will need a permit (required for activities with 20+ people). Please apply through the NYC Parks website.
For restaurant venues in Central Park, please contact:
Grilling & BBQs
Barbecuing is allowed only on these single days (not the entire holiday weekend):
- Memorial Day, last Monday in May
- Juneteenth, June 19
- Fourth of July, whichever 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, the Conservatory Garden, and high trafficked areas.
Propane grills are not allowed.
Please visit NYC Parks for more information.
Hammocks
Hammocks are not permitted in Central Park. Please visit NYC Parks for more information.
Parking
There is no parking in Central Park, however parking garages are available nearby. Central Park is also accessible via public transportation, including many subway lines and bus stops. Please visit mta.info for more information.
Permits
Learn about and submit the correct permits for your next activity or event through the NYC Parks Department.
Quiet Zones
These areas are designated Quiet Zones; speakers, musical instruments, and other noise is 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 wet weather, the Conservancy uses a red flag system to signal closures. If you see a red flag on a lawn or ballfield, that area is closed to the public. Visit our Alerts page for the most up-to-date closures and updates.
Streetlights
Lights in the Park are managed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). You can report light outages to DOT online, or X Twitter.
Water Fountains
Water fountains are stationed throughout Central Park. The Department of Environmental Protection conducts over 600,000 tests of New York City's water each year to make sure it meets (or exceeds) all state and federal health standards. You’ll see blue stickers on the drinking fountains that let you know the water has been tested and approved. Conservancy staff also regularly power washes these fountains. They are turned off in the winter.
Wildlife
Respect the wildlife in Central Park—you are entering their home. Never feed or approach a wild animal; feeding wild animals is harmful to their health and can cause animals to become dependent on humans for meals. For matters relating to wildlife, or injured wildlife in the Park, please contact the Urban Park Rangers: 212.360.2774.
In an urgent situation, contact the Park Enforcement Patrol at 212.427.8700, the City of New York at 311, or notify a Central Park Conservancy staff member.
Coyotes have been present in New York State since the 1930s and have been spotted throughout NYC, including in Central Park. While you should always take caution, it is possible to safely coexist with coyotes:
- If you see a coyote, or a coyote appears to be watching you, maintain a safe distance.
- If you are approached by a coyote, make yourself look bigger by putting your arms up and making loud noises. Continue until the coyote retreats.
- In case of a medical emergency, such as a coyote bite, call 911.
- Protect your pets. Always monitor pets 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, where coyotes find cover and 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.
- Be proactive and share this information with your friends and neighbors.
For more information, please visit the WildlifeNYC website.
If you see a coyote in NYC, you can report the sighting.
If you are a dog owner, please familiarize yourself with NYC Parks’ rules and regulations. Please also check out our Dog’s Guide to Central Park for details on when and where dogs can be off leash in the Park, and other essential information for dog owners to practice being good Park community members.
Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in the Park that visitors can go.
As a reminder, dogs are never allowed in:
- 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
- The Drives
- 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 these 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 cannot 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.
If you discover a lost pet, or have lost a pet yourself, please refer to NYC.gov's instructions or directly visit the Animal Care Center's website to find support.
There are opportunities to fish in Central Park's water bodies, except the Reservoir. You must obtain a fishing license from NYC Parks and review all NYC Parks fishing rules and regulations before you go.
Fishing line and hooks should be properly discarded to avoid harming wildlife. Line, hooks, and trash left behind or improperly discarded can injure or kill wildlife, so please be careful and considerate. Learn more about catch-and-release fishing in Central Park.