New York City, New York story
A Sanctuary in the City
Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Central Park is a place that feels like a different world. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is a four-acre woodland that was actually closed…
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Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Central Park is a place that feels like a different world. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is a four-acre woodland that was actually closed to the public for decades. In 1934, Robert Moses fenced it off, designating it as a bird sanctuary that was meant to remain completely undisturbed.
For years, only occasional school groups could enter. It wasn't until 2016 that regular visitor hours finally began. Now, you can walk its rustic trails and spot some of the 210 bird species that migrate here.
It's the smallest of the park's three woodlands, but it's the perfect spot to lose the city noise for a while.
Updated June 2026