Spring Guide
Cherry trees are blooming brightly around the Reservoir, robins are congregating on the Great Lawn to search for worms, and New Yorkers have a noticeable pep in their step. It’s spring in Central Park, and we’re celebrating the season with an OFFICIAL Central Park Conservancy Spring Guide.
We did it, New York—we made it to spring! Sure, winter in the Park is lovely, but spring brings with it an entirely new outlook on life. As daffodils emerge along landscapes and the sweet scents of witch hazel and magnolia linger in the air, it’s hard not to feel hope for what’s to come.
Searching for the perfect spot to soak up the sun this season? Eager to put your plant ID skills to the test? Curious about getting involved with helping our staff care for the Park? Looking for wildlife (and people) watching tips? Our seasonal guide has you covered.
Before we begin, don’t forget to bookmark our Alerts page for all the info you’ll need on scheduled or weather-related Park closures. Another great spot for Central Park updates? Our Twitter feed. Give us a follow, tag us from the Park with #SpringInCentralPark, and keep up to date on all the goings-on in these 843 acres.
A Variety of Vernal Reads
We could go on and on about why we love caring for Central Park—and we have! Check out our robust online magazine to learn about the Conservancy’s work, how we care for this space, and the history behind the creation of the Park.
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About the Conservancy
Love for These Landscapes
"You have to understand," Serena explains. "In the morning when you enter the Park, you see the sunrise through the trees […] can you believe this is my office?! Truly, I feel so blessed. It’s incredible to have a job in Central Park. For a gardener, there’s nothing better.”Tags: Conservancy Staff / Tips for Visiting / About the Conservancy / Nature Lovers / Park Experts / First-Time Visitors
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Health and Fitness
Finding Common Ground
To Diane, the dependability of this seasonal change helps to contextualize moments of grief and isolation. “Isn’t it interesting how the word ‘ground’ both means the soil, the earth—and also that place in us? This place is about getting rooted, getting grounded,” she explains. “People need to see that life is going to continue, that plants bloom for one more year.”Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / Spring / Flowers / Nature Lovers
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About the Conservancy
Different Decade, Same Beauty
These digitized color slides from 30-plus years ago show us that relaxing and strolling among beautiful, blossoming trees and vibrant flowers never grows old, and the changing of the seasons turns out to be one of the most reassuring constants we have.Tags: Conservancy Staff / Spring / Flowers / Tips for Visiting / History
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Wildlife
The Marvelous Mariposa
The annual pilgrimage starts in southern Canada and the northeastern United States, when almost half a million monarchs head to Mexico to overwinter before their spring return. This stunning phenomenon, known as the great monarch butterfly migration, starts right here in the lush meadows and woodlands of Central Park.Tags: Conservancy Staff / Spring / Flowers / Pollinators / Nature Lovers
Let Your Park Plans Blossom
With 843 acres of Park to explore, sometimes it’s hard to know where to start your adventure! We’ve selected a few of our favorite spots and activities for you to enjoy this spring.
Get to Know the Park with a Conservancy Guide
Interested in an even more tailored Park experience? Look no further than our expert Conservancy staff and their decades of Park research. Our staff offer in-person and virtual tours, online weekly walks, and handy maps for your self-guided tours.
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Check Out the Cherries
One of the more stunning sights in Central Park, a row of 35 Yoshino cherry trees wows us with striking, colorful blossoms along the Reservoir each spring. On this in-person tour, guides share how these beloved trees came to Central Park and how the Conservancy cares for and maintains them to this day. -
Tours
Walk Among Olmsted's Trees
Celebrate Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted’s 200th birthday with us as we honor one of his greatest contributions to the Park—its stunning trees!Tags: Staff Picks / Plants and Trees
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Self-Guided Tours
Learn Your Harlem History
The fort landscape in the northeastern section of Central Park was a strategic military spot as far back as 1776. Freshen up on your pre-Park history with this self-guided tour along Fort Clinton, Nutter’s Battery, and the Blockhouse.Tags: History
The Park Needs Us—All of Us
While you enjoy watching the City come to life this spring, help our staff keep these landscapes healthy by treating them gently and with respect. This means always honoring all fencing and never picking flowers from trees or gardens. The Park needs all of us to keep it resilient and beautiful for decades to come! #TheParkNeedsUs