Is Central Park public or private?

New York's Central Park is a world-famous public park, created beginning in 1858 to address the recreational needs of the rapidly growing City.



New York City's Central Park is a public park owned by the City of New York, but it is managed through a unique public-private partnership. Since 1980, the Central Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization, has been responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, restoration, and operation of the park under a contract with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2026, the Conservancy provides approximately 75% of the park's annual operating budget through private donations, while the city remains the ultimate legal owner. This model is considered a high-value blueprint for urban park management globally, ensuring that the 843-acre masterpiece remains clean, safe, and free for the millions of residents and tourists who visit annually. While the park is "public" and accessible to everyone, certain areas like the Wollman Rink or the Central Park Zoo are operated by private concessionaires and require a separate fee, but the vast majority of the park's lawns, bridges, and paths remain the "people's backyard."

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The Central Park Conservancy is responsible for the management, restoration, and enhancement of Central Park and raises the Park's nearly $74 million annual operating budget. Since its founding in 1980, the Central Park Conservancy has overseen the investment of more than $1 billion into Central Park.

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Named for the Italian meaning beautiful view, Belvedere Castle offers park goers exactly what its name implies. With its two balconies, it supplies wonderful panoramic views that include some of Central Park's most beautiful and famous landmarks: the Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn, the Turtle Pond and the Ramble.

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Spread over two acres on the east side of Manhattan is Gramercy Park, one of only two private parks in New York City. (The other is in Sunnyside, Queens.) Few parts of New York represent wealth and exclusivity quite like this spot, which famously requires a key to enter.

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Since its gates were first locked in 1844, Gramercy Park has been accessible only to those who own a key. Those who live in its 39 surrounding townhouses, apartment buildings, and clubs hold the park in common.

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Located in the farthest reaches of the Bronx, Pelham Bay is New York City's largest public park. It's 2,772 acres, more than three times the size of Central Park. The entire area, with miles of hiking trails and bridle paths, takes hours to explore.

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The smallest park in the world! Mill Ends Park is a tiny urban park, consisting of one tree, located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway in downtown Portland, Oregon. The park is a small circle 2 feet across, with a total area of 452 square inches (0.00007205784 acres).

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While NYC Billionaires Row is located along 57th Street, it is more accurate to include certain buildings within the same corridor from 53rd Street to 60th Street and from Park Avenue to the western side of Broadway.

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Lots of stars live and hang out in the Central Park area, including Antonio Banderas, Trey Anastasio, Al Sharpton, Tony Danza, Bobby Flay, Anne Hathaway, Regis Philbin, Yoko Ono, Gayle King, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Strahan, Madonna, and Jordan Peele.

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The residents of Seneca Village persisted and fought to keep their community together; however, in 1857, the city used eminent domain to forcibly remove them. The village was eventually vacated and the city demolished Seneca Village, leaving little trace of the stories and people who had occupied it.

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