What We're Reading

A path winds through the Ramble, seen in summer

From the Conservancy's magazine

Dr. Carolyn Finney on the Great Outdoors, Environmental Racism, and Finding Joy Through Storytelling

As our country continues to reckon with the historical and modern-day implications of systemic racism, Dr. Finney asks her readers to consider how public spaces are affected, too. Parks like Central Park provide a sense of community and benefit our physical and mental health, but they aren’t experienced or accessed equally.

Tags: Nature Lovers

An example of the interpretive signage stands in the landscape of Seneca Village

From the Conservancy's magazine

New Yorkers on the Significance of Seneca Village

We asked several New Yorkers—some of whom have been involved in the work to research and share Seneca Village’s stories—what this place and history means to them.

Tags: Conservancy Staff / History

The spires of Midtown are seen in the distance, framed by the cooling foliage of Central Park

From the Conservancy's magazine

A Need for Trees: How Central Park Cools the (Urban Heat) Island of Manhattan

When the island of Manhattan faces an extreme “urban heat island” effect, Central Park’s 18,000 trees and 843 acres of paths, lawns, and woodlands offer a much-needed reprieve.

Tags: Summer / Conservancy Staff / Trees / Nature Lovers

The path pictured deep in the landscape of the Ramble

Town and Country

Central Park Has Always Been Beloved by New Yorkers. Now, It's a Sanctuary.

McGill soloing with the Philharmonic at Central Park

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic

Anthony McGill, a world-renowned classical musician, has performed in Central Park multiple times as part of the Philharmonic’s outdoor concert series.

Aerial photo of Central Park in the summer

From the Conservancy's magazine

Before Central Park: Native Americans, European Settlers, Immigrant Communities, and Seneca Village

This slice of Manhattan is unique in both its terrain and history. Native Americans, European settlers, immigrant communities, and Seneca Village residents all traversed here before the creation of Central Park. Here are a few of their stories.

Tags: Park Design / History / Park Experts

Anthony Mason walking up the stairs at Bethesda Terrace

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Journalist Anthony Mason

CBS This Morning co-host and Central Park regular Anthony Mason averages four miles a day, mostly spent meandering the hidden paths and trails.

From the Conservancy's magazine

How Public Health Influenced the Creation, Purpose, and Design of Central Park

The COVID pandemic spurred newfound appreciation for New York City’s parks and the myriad ways they can benefit our health, both mental and physical.

Tags: Park Design

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Cal Jones, Manhattan Borough Historian Emeritus

Celedonia (Cal) Jones, born and raised in central Harlem, talks about his childhood in NYC and how he became involved in telling Seneca Village’s many stories.

Tags: History

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Stefan Al, Architect, Urban Designer, and Educator

With summer officially here, we spoke with architect and urban designer Stefan Al, PhD, about how Central Park’s biodiversity will keep us healthy this season.

Tags: Trees / Nature Lovers

The site of Seneca Village in the present day Park

From the Conservancy's magazine

How to Engage with the History of Seneca Village

The current movement for racial justice—which includes elevating Black history, culture, and stories—has sparked a renewed interest in Seneca Village, a community of predominantly African-Americans that existed before the creation of Central Park.

Tags: Tips for Visiting / About the Conservancy

A close-up of a foot with the iron fence that surrounds the reservoir in the background

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Mary Wittenberg, 10-Year Race Director of the TCS NYC Marathon

Mary Wittenberg, former President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners, shares her favorite running routes in the Park, NYC Marathon memories, and more.

From the Conservancy's magazine

Staying Connected to Central Park through History

Discover recommendations from our historian—from books to documentaries—on deepening your insight into the Park.

Tags: History / Park Experts

"Somebody Feed Phil" filming in Central Park

From the Conservancy's magazine

5 Questions with Phil Rosenthal, TV Writer and Producer

Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal shares his fondest memories of the Park, his idea of a perfect picnic there, and what he’ll do when NYC opens up after pandemic closures.

Park visitor reading Discover Seneca Village signage

From the Conservancy's magazine

Artifacts and Archives: The Rediscovery and Research of Seneca Village

Learn about the historical research of this community of predominantly African-Americans, many of whom owned property.

Tags: History

Exclusive to #myCentralPark

Janet Ruttenberg Captures Central Park

Janet Ruttenberg, renowned plein air artist, paints the people and colors of Central Park on canvasses as expansive as the Park that inspires her.

Patch

SEE: Photo Series Celebrates Central Park As Refuge Amid Pandemic

A woman wearing a mask takes photos of spring blooms on the bridle path

From the Conservancy's magazine

See Central Park in the Age of Social Distancing

This is a spring like no other, which photographer Elliot Stern captures in these Park photos from recent weeks.

Tags: Spring

Cedar Hill with scattered strollers and bare trees

From the Conservancy's magazine

‘A Sense of Enlarged Freedom’: Central Park as Sanctuary

For many New Yorkers right now, Central Park and the City’s other open spaces are more valuable and meaningful than ever.

Tags: History

Shakespeare Garden on a sunny spring day

From the Conservancy's magazine

Park Features

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What We’re Reading

Articles

Dr. Carolyn Finney on the Great Outdoors, Environmental Racism, and Finding Joy Through Storytelling

New Yorkers on the Significance of Seneca Village

A Need for Trees: How Central Park Cools the (Urban Heat) Island of Manhattan

Central Park Has Always Been Beloved by New Yorkers. Now, It's a Sanctuary.

5 Questions with Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic

Before Central Park: Native Americans, European Settlers, Immigrant Communities, and Seneca Village

5 Questions with Journalist Anthony Mason

How Public Health Influenced the Creation, Purpose, and Design of Central Park

5 Questions with Cal Jones, Manhattan Borough Historian Emeritus

5 Questions with Stefan Al, Architect, Urban Designer, and Educator

How to Engage with the History of Seneca Village

5 Questions with Mary Wittenberg, 10-Year Race Director of the TCS NYC Marathon

Staying Connected to Central Park through History

5 Questions with Phil Rosenthal, TV Writer and Producer

Artifacts and Archives: The Rediscovery and Research of Seneca Village

Janet Ruttenberg Captures Central Park

SEE: Photo Series Celebrates Central Park As Refuge Amid Pandemic

See Central Park in the Age of Social Distancing

‘A Sense of Enlarged Freedom’: Central Park as Sanctuary

How to Explore Central Park from Home

Central Park, the Calm Amid New York's Coronavirus Storm

Parks are Cathedrals, Especially Now: Appreciating Public Spaces During a Pandemic

Opinion: Don’t Puncture the City’s Lungs By Cutting Park Funds

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Central Park

Central Park Conservancy Invites New Yorkers to Share Their #myCentralPark Story

The Coronavirus Crisis Reveals New York at Its Best and Worst

‘It Sort of Gives You Hope’: One Place New Yorkers Go to Escape Their Homes

Central Park in Black and White: Classic Films for a Cozy Night

Hidden Histories: 6 Little-Known Designs for Central Park