New York City, New York story
A Sanctuary for All
In the southeastern corner of Central Park, there's a four-acre woodland that spent decades as a secret. From 1934 until the modern era, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary was closed to…
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In the southeastern corner of Central Park, there's a four-acre woodland that spent decades as a secret. From 1934 until the modern era, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary was closed to the public, designated as a bird sanctuary intended to remain undisturbed. For years, access was limited to occasional school groups, keeping a piece of the city's nature locked away.
It wasn't until 2016 that regular visitor hours finally began, opening the rustic trails and overlooks to everyone. Transforming a restricted zone into a free, public immersive experience is a small but meaningful win for urban accessibility, ensuring that the quiet beauty of the city's smallest woodland belongs to every New Yorker.
Updated June 2026