New York City, New York story
A Sanctuary in the City
There is a four-acre woodland in the southeastern corner of Central Park that feels like a different world. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary was originally called The Promontory, but…
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There is a four-acre woodland in the southeastern corner of Central Park that feels like a different world. The Hallett Nature Sanctuary was originally called The Promontory, but in 1934, Robert Moses closed it to the public. His goal was to create a bird sanctuary that would remain completely undisturbed.
For decades, it was a secret, accessible only occasionally to school groups, until it finally reopened for regular visitors in 2016. Today, it's the smallest of the park's three woodlands, where you can wander rustic trails and spot up to 210 species of migrating birds, all while the city hums just beyond the trees.
Updated June 2026