Hallett Nature Sanctuary

This four-acre woodland is located on a rocky hill overlooking the Pond in the southeast corner of Central Park.

The smallest of the Park’s three woodland landscapes, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary offers visitors an intimate experience of nature just steps from the busy streets of midtown. Rustic trails wind up and down the hill, leading to various overlooks and sitting areas near the shore of the Pond.

Originally called “The Promontory” by the Park’s designers, the rocky hill was a prominent feature in the landscape, but without any walking paths it was not a place that visitors could explore. In the 1930s, it was fenced off and designated a bird sanctuary. In 1986, it was renamed in honor of George Hervey Hallett, Jr., an activist, nature enthusiast, and birder. Still closed to the public and very minimally cared for, it became overrun with invasive plants and feral cats. In the early 2000s, the Central Park Conservancy began a program to restore the Hallett, which included the removal of invasive plants, the addition of more native plants, and the creation of trails for public access. We completed this major restoration project in 2016.

Stroll around the Hallett Nature Sanctuary

Join us for a virtual stroll through this woodland landscape and listen for the calls of some of the hundreds of bird species that fly through the Park each year.

View with audio description

Things you can do here

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  • Guides

    Birding Guide

    Interested in birdwatching? Learn how to respectfully spot the more than 210 bird species that make an appearance in Central Park.

    Tags: Wildlife

  • Self-Guided Tours

    South End Tour

    Explore one of the most popular areas of Central Park — from the Children’s District to the smallest of the Park’s woodland landscapes.

    Tags: History / Art & Architecture

  • Self-Guided Tours

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    Escape to the oasis within the City and enjoy newly restored landscapes full of blooming flowers.

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  • Guides

    Meet the Trees of Central Park

    Your support can help keep the Park’s trees healthy.

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  • Tours

    Central Park Woodland Walk: Bridge and Pond

    11:00 am

    Engage your senses, calm your mind, and immerse yourself in the Park’s greenery

    Tags: Wildlife / Plants and Trees

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    Tags: Park Design / Trees / Nature Lovers

  • Park Information

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    Tags: Trees / Nature Lovers / Lawns / Landscapes

  • Things to See and Do

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  • Things to See and Do

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    Whether you're visiting for a first date or a longtime anniversary, here are 10 ideas for a fun getaway in the Park.

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  • Wildlife

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    Nine species of bats live in New York State, and Central Park’s 843 acres of sprawling meadows, woodlands, and water bodies play a crucial role in their health.

    Tags: Pollinators / Nature Lovers

  • Wildlife

    From Central Park to Central Mexico: The Great Monarch Butterfly Migration

    When it comes to skipping town—and the cold—Central Park’s monarch butterflies go the distance: a pilgrimage that starts in southern Canada and the northeastern United States and ends in Mexico.

    Tags: Conservancy Staff / Spring / Flowers / Pollinators / Nature Lovers

  • Park Information

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  • About the Conservancy

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    Feeding urban wildlife may seem like a kind gesture, but it can often do more harm than good. Learn why offering food like bread, crackers, and nuts to Central Park’s wildlife can cause malnutrition, disease, and injuries, and the other ways humans impact our feathered and furry neighbors.

    Tags: Conservancy Staff / Pollinators / Nature Lovers / Landscapes

  • Restoration and Maintenance

    The Story Behind Central Park’s Rustic Architecture

    Rustic architecture has been an instrumental part of the Park’s design since its creation in 1858, and that tradition continues today through our Conservancy staff.

    Tags: Rustic Architecture / History

  • Restoration and Maintenance

    A Year of Improvements: Planning, Design & Construction in Central Park

    Whether we're improving access or rebuilding infrastructure, the Conservancy works year-round to preserve the Park.