Hallett Nature Sanctuary
This four-acre woodland is located on a rocky hill overlooking the Pond in the southeast corner of Central Park.
The smallest of the Park’s three woodland landscapes, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary offers visitors an intimate experience of nature just steps from the busy streets of midtown. Rustic trails wind up and down the hill, leading to various overlooks and sitting areas near the shore of the Pond.
Originally called “The Promontory” by the Park’s designers, the rocky hill was a prominent feature in the landscape, but without any walking paths it was not a place that visitors could explore. In the 1930s, it was fenced off and designated a bird sanctuary. In 1986, it was renamed in honor of George Hervey Hallett, Jr., an activist, nature enthusiast, and birder. Still closed to the public and very minimally cared for, it became overrun with invasive plants and feral cats. In the early 2000s, the Central Park Conservancy began a program to restore the Hallett, which included the removal of invasive plants, the addition of more native plants, and the creation of trails for public access. We completed this major restoration project in 2016.
Stroll around the Hallett Nature Sanctuary
Join us for a virtual stroll through this woodland landscape and listen for the calls of some of the hundreds of bird species that fly through the Park each year.
Things you can do here
Guides
Guide to Fall Foliage in Central Park
Tags: Plants and Trees
Guides
Birding Guide
Interested in birdwatching? Learn how to respectfully spot the more than 210 bird species that make an appearance in Central Park.
Tags: Wildlife
Tours
Central Park Woodland Walk: Bridge and Pond
Engage your senses, calm your mind, and immerse yourself in the Park's changing foliage.
Tags: Wildlife / Plants and Trees
Guides
Meet the Trees of Central Park
Your support can help keep the Park’s trees healthy.
Tags: Kids and Families / Wildlife / Plants and Trees
Self-Guided Tours
A Walk Through Vibrant Blooms and Secluded Trails
Escape to the oasis within the City and enjoy newly restored landscapes full of blooming flowers.
Tags: Art & Architecture / Plants and Trees
Self-Guided Tours
South End Tour
Explore one of the most popular areas of Central Park — from the Children’s District to the smallest of the Park’s woodland landscapes.
Tags: History / Art & Architecture
Also in the area
Read more
Restoration and Maintenance
A Year of Improvements: Planning, Design & Construction in Central Park
Whether we're improving access or rebuilding infrastructure, the Conservancy works year-round to preserve the Park.
Plants and Trees
Urban Forest Bathing: Cultivating Calmness in a Chaotic City
“I don’t know if the founders of the Conservancy knew the term ‘forest bathing, but they clearly understood the Park’s potential as a space for wellbeing and rejuvenation—it’s right there in the Conservancy’s mission statement!” Meet the individuals who are introducing forest bathing to the busy New Yorker.
Tags: Park Design / Trees / Nature Lovers
Things to See and Do
Make Central Park a Part of Your Thanksgiving Tradition
Celebrating Thanksgiving in New York City can be especially magical, and we want to help you make lasting memories.
Tags: Families / Fall / Tips for Visiting
Wildlife
Flying in Plain Sight: The Bats of Central Park
Nine species of bats live in New York State, and Central Park’s 843 acres of sprawling meadows, woodlands, and water bodies play a crucial role in their health.
Tags: Pollinators / Nature Lovers
Wildlife
From Central Park to Central Mexico: The Great Monarch Butterfly Migration
When it comes to skipping town—and the cold—Central Park’s monarch butterflies go the distance: a pilgrimage that starts in southern Canada and the northeastern United States and ends in Mexico.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Spring / Flowers / Pollinators / Nature Lovers
Things to See and Do
10 Date Ideas in Central Park
Tags: Tips for Visiting
Restoration and Maintenance
Forever Young: The Restorations That Help Central Park Thrive
The Conservancy is overseeing a record-breaking number of restorations this year, from enhancing accessibility in a beloved garden to resurfacing a popular running track. Despite their differences, all of these projects share a common goal: improving the visitor experience in Central Park.
Tags: Park Design / About the Conservancy / Fitness / Architecture / Plants and Trees / Restoration and Maintenance
Park Information
How to be an Instagram Pro in Central Park
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur wielding a phone, here are some of our favorite shutter-worthy spots in the winter.
Tags: Winter
About the Conservancy
Urban Wildlife in Central Park: Understanding our Human Impact and the Hazards of Feeding Wild Animals
Feeding urban wildlife may seem like a kind gesture, but it can often do more harm than good. Learn why offering food like bread, crackers, and nuts to Central Park’s wildlife can cause malnutrition, disease, and injuries, and the other ways humans impact our feathered and furry neighbors.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Pollinators / Nature Lovers / Landscapes
Park Information
A Reflection of Nature Itself: The Different Landscapes of Central Park
Central Park is made up of a variety of landscapes that are diverse, intricate, and interconnected—just like the communities of Park-lovers who enjoy them.
Tags: Trees / Nature Lovers / Lawns / Landscapes
Restoration and Maintenance
The Story Behind Central Park’s Rustic Architecture
Rustic architecture has been an instrumental part of the Park’s design since its creation in 1858, and that tradition continues today through our Conservancy staff.
Tags: Rustic Architecture / History