Central Park’s Horses Could Be On the Way Out
For over 150 years, horse-drawn carriages have been a familiar sight in Manhattan’s Central Park, surviving the rise of automobiles, growing criticism from animal rights groups, and even political threats to ban the practice. Now, the powerful nonprofit that oversees the 843-acre park is officially supporting a proposal to phase out the carriage industry—possibly starting as early as next summer, according to the Associated Press.
In a letter sent to the New York City Council on August 12, the Central Park Conservancy cited concerns about public safety and the strain horse-drawn carriages place on the park’s infrastructure, which is now busier than ever. “We can’t be just frozen in time,” said Elizabeth Smith, the Conservancy’s CEO. “Horses are too unpredictable, and the roadways are too crowded—with bikers, runners, pedestrians, and strollers all sharing the same space.”
Smith pointed out that other cities have already moved away from horse-drawn carriages. San Antonio began a five-year phase-out last year, while Chicago and Montreal implemented outright bans in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Supporters of the carriage industry, however, say they’re being unfairly targeted. Despite the attention, the number of licensed carriage owners has remained relatively steady since World War II. According to the Transport Workers Union, which represents the drivers, there are currently 68 licensed operators managing around 200 horses and 170 drivers.
Meanwhile, Central Park now welcomes about 40 million visitors each year. Many of them navigate the park on rental bikes or pedicabs, while cars have been banned from the main drives since 2018.
Christina Hansen, a longtime carriage driver and spokesperson for the industry, argues that removing the carriages erases part of Central Park’s original design. “This goes against Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision,” she said, referencing the park’s 19th-century architect who intended the winding paths and gentle slopes for leisurely carriage rides.
Animal rights advocates have long claimed that the horses are put at risk on Manhattan’s streets, often spooked by traffic, overworked, and housed in poor conditions. They also accuse some drivers of violating city regulations, including failing to clean up after their horses.
“There’s simply no way to operate horse-drawn carriages safely or humanely,” said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets. “No amount of regulation can change that. Lord knows we’ve tried.”
The Conservancy’s decision to weigh in comes after a carriage horse collapsed and died near its stable earlier this month, adding urgency to the ongoing debate over the future of this iconic but controversial tradition.
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