The Answer is...3 Inches

The Conservancy cares for the Park's lawns by monitoring their conditions, mowing, overseeding, aerating, and sampling the soil. Overseeding (the practice of planting seeds on top of existing grass) keeps the lawns lush and thick. Aerating (poking holes in the soil to give it air) relieves stress on the grass from foot traffic. Mowing the lawns on a regular schedule keeps the grass an ideal height of three inches. All these steps together are necessary for maintaining lawn health when millions of people visit the Park each year. And a healthy lawn—which prevents soil erosion, cools the air, and gives flood waters a space to drain—is an integral part of a healthy Park.

In fact, restoring a lawn was one of the Central Park Conservancy’s first projects in 1980, when the organization was founded. Check out these pictures of Sheep Meadow in 1980 and today.

Want to help the Conservancy with restoration projects like this? Become a member today! Every dollar you donate goes toward the maintenance and care of the Park.