August 25, 2025 NEW YORK, NY — After more than 150 years as a quintessential part of the Central Park experience, horse-drawn carriages are facing their toughest challenge yet. An influential and previously silent voice has now thrown its weight behind a proposal to ban them: the Central Park Conservancy.

The nonprofit, which manages the iconic 843-acre park, has officially backed a plan to phase out the industry as soon as next summer. In a letter to the City Council, the Conservancy cited growing concerns over public safety and a park infrastructure that simply can't accommodate the anachronistic rides anymore.

The Park Is Changing, But the Horses Aren't

For generations, the clip-clop of hooves has been a familiar sound in Central Park. The carriages, which weathered the rise of the automobile and fierce criticism from animal rights activists, now find themselves at odds with the modern park.

"We can't be just frozen in time," said Central Park Conservancy CEO Elizabeth Smith. "Horses are too unpredictable and the roadways are too busy with too many different kinds of users now—bikers, runners, pedestrians, strollers."

The Conservancy’s tipping point came after a series of alarming incidents. In May, a horse bolted from its handler and ran loose through the park, and days later, two more broke free and crashed into a fleet of pedicabs, injuring a driver. These events, combined with the recent death of a carriage horse near its stables, have brought the long-simmering debate to a boil.

An Industry Under Fire

The carriage industry, however, argues that it's being unfairly targeted. With just 68 licensed carriage owners and roughly 200 horses, they represent a fraction of the park’s 40 million annual visitors. According to Christina Hansen, a veteran carriage driver and industry spokesperson, the rides offer a unique experience. "We're seeing the park the way it was meant to be seen," she said, referencing the original vision of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

But opponents claim that a city environment is no place for horses. Animal rights groups like New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets have long argued that the animals are overworked and live in inadequate

stables. "There's simply no way to operate horse-drawn carriages and have it be safe or humane for the horses," said the group’s executive director, Edita Birnkrant.

Despite the criticisms, carriage owners maintain their horses are well-cared for. They point to strict city regulations that require bi-annual vet inspections, caps on working hours, and mandatory time off in a pasture.

The debate is far from over. While the Conservancy’s support is a game-changer, the City Council has yet to decide whether the proposal will even be brought to a vote. This is a battle that even former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who campaigned on a promise to ban the carriages, couldn't win. It remains to be seen if the new coalition of activists and park managers will succeed where others have failed.