Every organisation based inside Central Park, with the number that actually reaches them — the Conservancy, the precinct, the medical unit, the permit offices and every visitor centre. One page, so you aren’t searching for it when you need it.
Two questions. We'll tell you who to call and when they answer.
Any emergency, always
Anything non-urgent
Conservancy, Mon–Fri
Visitor centres
For injury, crime in progress or anyone in danger. Give the operator the nearest lamppost number if you can see one — first digits are the cross street, even means east and odd means west. It is the fastest way to be found in 843 acres.
Or 212-NEW-YORK. For maintenance problems, a fallen branch, a broken path, noise complaints, or any question about park rules and permits that isn’t urgent enough for 911.
The Central Park Conservancy runs the park. General enquiries Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Membership is on (212) 310-6672, and the Adopt-A-Bench programme has its own team.
Between an emergency, a park problem and a general question, these three will get you to the right place. Everything else is in the directory below.
Organisations based inside Central Park. Filter by what you need — or scan the whole list.
The most common reason people end up on hold is calling the wrong office. Here is what each one actually handles.
Call 911. For anything less than an emergency but still involving the park police, the precinct is on (212) 570-4820. The Central Park Medical Unit, a volunteer ambulance service that knows the paths and vehicle access points better than anyone, is on (212) 585-0911.
Call 311, or 212-NEW-YORK. Fallen branches, damaged paths, broken fountains, graffiti, noise complaints — all of it goes to the NYC Parks Department rather than the Conservancy or the police.
Ballfields are on (212) 408-0234. Special events — anything with sound, catering, tents or twenty or more people — are on (212) 408-0226. Both take 21 to 30 days, so call well before your date rather than the week before.
The Central Park Conservancy on (212) 310-6600, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Membership is a separate line on (212) 310-6672, and volunteering has its own hotline on (212) 360-2751.
Maintained by the Conservancy. General enquiries weekdays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Everything in the directory above falls into one of these. It is worth knowing which before you dial.
911, the park’s own precinct and the volunteer medical unit. These are the only numbers here that answer at three in the morning.
Ballfields, special events and general Conservancy enquiries. Weekday office hours, and worth calling early in the day.
Visitor centres, the Zoo, the Carousel and Tavern on the Green. Each keeps its own opening hours, and some are seasonal.
911, as anywhere in the city. Central Park also has its own NYPD precinct on (212) 570-4820 and a volunteer medical unit on (212) 585-0911. If you can see a lamppost, give the operator its number — it locates you instantly.
Call 311, or 212-NEW-YORK, which reaches the NYC Parks Department. Fallen branches, damaged paths, broken fountains, graffiti and noise complaints all go there rather than to the Conservancy.
The Central Park Conservancy, a private non-profit working in partnership with NYC Parks. General enquiries are on (212) 310-6600, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Ballfield permits are on (212) 408-0234 and special event permits on (212) 408-0226. Both typically take 21 to 30 days to process, so call at least a month before your date.
Yes. The volunteer hotline is (212) 360-2751, or email volunteer@centralparknyc.org. The Conservancy runs regular volunteer programmes across gardening, restoration and visitor services.
Through the Conservancy’s Adopt-A-Bench programme — call the main number on (212) 310-6600 and ask for the team. It is one of the more popular ways of marking an occasion in the park.
Four have their own lines: Belvedere Castle on (332) 213-3947, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center on (332) 240-3256, the Dairy Visitor Center and Gift Shop on (332) 245-3021, and the Columbus Circle Info Kiosk on (332) 240-3609. The Chess & Checkers House is currently closed.
The Central Park Zoo is on (212) 439-6500 for general information, with ticket sales on (800) 433-4149. The Central Park Carousel is on (212) 452-0707.
Tell us what you’re trying to sort out — a permit, a lost item, an event, a complaint. We’ll point you at the office that actually handles it.
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