The short answer
Central Park is owned by the City of New York through NYC Parks, but its day-to-day care is handled by the Central Park Conservancy, a private nonprofit that funds most of the park's upkeep through donations. The Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo are run separately by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Visitors can use free resources from all three — an official map, the Central Park app, and free ranger programs — and support the park through membership, donations, or volunteering.
A surprising number of people assume the City of New York simply mows Central Park's lawns and trims its trees. In reality, three different organizations keep the park running, and knowing who does what makes it far easier to find a map, join a free program, or give back. This guide explains the roles of the Central Park Conservancy, NYC Parks, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, points you to the official tools every visitor can use for free, and shows the simplest ways to support the park you came to enjoy.
Who runs Central Park
Central Park is public land owned by the City of New York and overseen by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, known as NYC Parks. Since 1998, however, the City has entrusted the park's hands-on care to the Central Park Conservancy under a formal management contract. The Conservancy now provides the large majority of the park's staff and maintenance funding, while NYC Parks keeps authority over policy, permits, and special events.
A third organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, operates the Central Park Zoo and the Tisch Children's Zoo on the City's behalf. So the short answer to a common question is that no single body runs everything: NYC Parks owns the park and sets the rules, the Conservancy maintains and restores it, and the Wildlife Conservation Society manages the zoos. Most visitors interact with all three without realizing it.
What the Central Park Conservancy does
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to rescue a then-deteriorating Central Park. Today it is responsible for the park's complete day-to-day care, from horticulture and tree work to lawn maintenance, trash removal, restoration projects, and visitor services. The Conservancy raises and invests close to $100 million in the park each year, the bulk of it from individual donations rather than tax dollars.
Because the Conservancy carries most of the maintenance burden, NYC Parks can direct nearly its entire budget to the city's other green spaces. For visitors, the Conservancy is the most useful organization to know: it produces the official park map, runs five visitor centers, offers guided walks and public programs, and manages membership, volunteering, and the Adopt-A-Bench and Adopt-A-Tree programs. If you want to learn about, use, or support the park, the Conservancy is the front door.
NYC Parks and the Wildlife Conservation Society
NYC Parks is the city agency that owns Central Park and more than 1,700 other parks across the five boroughs. It sets park policy, issues permits for events and filming, and runs the Urban Park Rangers, who lead free nature walks, hikes, and family programs throughout the year. Because the Rangers serve the whole city, their Central Park events are a free, expert-led way to explore the park's wildlife and history.
The Wildlife Conservation Society, or WCS, is the conservation nonprofit that has operated the Central Park Zoo since 1980 under an agreement with the City. WCS also runs the adjacent Tisch Children's Zoo, where younger visitors can feed goats, sheep, and ducks. The zoos charge separate admission and support WCS's global wildlife work. Knowing that the zoos are a WCS operation explains why they have their own tickets, hours, and website, distinct from the rest of the park.
| Organization | What it does | How visitors use it |
|---|---|---|
| NYC Parks | City agency that owns the park, sets rules, issues permits, runs Urban Park Rangers | Free ranger walks and family programs; official park rules |
| Central Park Conservancy | Nonprofit that maintains and restores the park and funds most of its care | Official map and app, visitor centers, guided tours, membership |
| Wildlife Conservation Society | Nonprofit that operates the Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo | Zoo and children's zoo admission, exhibits, education programs |
Official maps and the Central Park app
The most reliable maps and information come straight from the Central Park Conservancy, not third-party sites. The Conservancy publishes a free, downloadable official park map on centralparknyc.org and hands out printed copies at its visitor centers, so you can plan a route before you arrive or pick one up on the day. The map marks entrances, landmarks, restrooms, and the car-free drives.
For navigating on foot, the Conservancy also offers the free Official Central Park app, with an interactive GPS map, landmark details, audio tours, and an events calendar, plus a multilingual digital guide hosted on the free Bloomberg Connects app. These tools help first-time visitors avoid getting turned around in 843 acres. Availability and features change over time, so check the Conservancy's official website for the current download links rather than relying on look-alike apps in the app stores.
- Official Central Park map — free to download from centralparknyc.org and free at visitor centers.
- Official Central Park app — free, with an interactive GPS map, landmark info, and audio tours.
- Bloomberg Connects digital guide — free, multilingual self-guided tour of the park.
- Urban Park Ranger programs — free, expert-led nature walks and family events from NYC Parks.
- Conservancy visitor centers — free maps, directions, and guidance from staff inside the park.
How to support and give back
Because the Central Park Conservancy depends on donations for most of its budget, visitor support genuinely helps keep the lawns green and the paths in good repair. The simplest way to contribute is to become a Conservancy member or make a one-time donation, both of which you can do on its website. Membership also comes with perks such as guided experiences, and it directly funds the park's care.
If you want a more personal gift, the Conservancy's long-running Adopt-A-Bench and Adopt-A-Tree programs let you dedicate part of the park in honor of someone, often with a personalized plaque. Hands-on visitors can also volunteer through the Conservancy on projects from gardening to clean-ups. Specific membership tiers, donation levels, and adoption costs change periodically, so check the official Conservancy site for current details rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.
- Become a member or donate through the Central Park Conservancy to fund daily upkeep.
- Dedicate a bench or tree through Adopt-A-Bench or Adopt-A-Tree, often with a plaque.
- Volunteer with the Conservancy on gardening, planting, and clean-up projects.
- Visit and ticket the Central Park Zoo to support the Wildlife Conservation Society's work.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Central Park?
Central Park is owned by the City of New York through NYC Parks, which sets policy and issues permits. Its day-to-day maintenance is handled by the Central Park Conservancy, a private nonprofit, while the Wildlife Conservation Society runs the Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo.
What is the Central Park Conservancy?
The Central Park Conservancy is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1980, that cares for Central Park under a contract with the City. It funds and performs most of the park's maintenance and restoration, raising close to $100 million a year, primarily from private donations.
Is there an official Central Park app?
Yes. The Central Park Conservancy offers a free Official Central Park app with an interactive GPS map, landmark information, and audio tours, plus a free multilingual digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app. Check centralparknyc.org for current download links.
Does the City or the Conservancy own Central Park?
The City of New York owns Central Park; the Central Park Conservancy does not. The Conservancy is a private nonprofit that manages the park's daily care under contract, while NYC Parks retains ownership and control over rules, permits, and events.
Who runs the Central Park Zoo?
The Central Park Zoo and the neighboring Tisch Children's Zoo are operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, a conservation nonprofit, on behalf of the City. They have separate admission, hours, and a separate website from the rest of the park.
How can visitors support Central Park?
The main way is through the Central Park Conservancy: become a member, make a donation, dedicate a bench or tree through Adopt-A-Bench or Adopt-A-Tree, or volunteer. Visiting the Central Park Zoo also supports the Wildlife Conservation Society's work.
See it from the seat
The best way to know Central Park is to ride through it. Pedicab, bike, e-scooter, or on foot — book in under a minute.