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Squirrels, birds, and more city wildlife find a home at the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. 

Why the Hallett Nature Sanctuary Is Perfect for Families

The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is the perfect stop for nature-loving families to hike, explore, and enjoy a quiet moment. The sounds of the city nearly recede into the background when you enter. The space is composed of gentle rolling hills and features many local species of trees and plants, making it feel like you're walking into a miniature forest. The smallest of the park's three woodlands, it's a great destination to get up close and personal with many of the flora and fauna that call Central Park home, including squirrels and more than 200 species of birds. (There are also, it's worth noting, rats.)

You can expect to spend about half an hour wandering around in the wilder side of Central Park at the Hallett Nature Sanctuary. The ground is made up of soft, condensed wood chips, which provide a very smooth path that's stroller-friendly with plenty of branching paths to get a little lost. Some spots have natural sloping log "stairs" that might make strollers a bit more of a challenge, but make for an exciting hike for little legs. Several scenic overlooks make it possible to look out over the Pond and see the park from a completely different perspective that not many get to experience. The view is especially beautiful in the fall, when the leaves turn gorgeous hues of red and yellow, and you can look out past the sparse leaves at the Pond and beyond. The gate, outlook spots, and path barriers are made of reclaimed Central Park wood. There are no trash cans inside the sanctuary, so you'll need to take back out anything you bring in.

Access to this hidden gem in the heart of Midtown hasn't always been a constant, however. According to Mimi Gunderson, a senior gardener at the Central Park Conservancy, the Hallett Nature Sanctuary "was never intended to be a destination for visitors—it was only made for aesthetic appeal." The brief audio tour on Bloomberg Connects tells the history of the space, starting with its origin as a designated bird sanctuary in 1934.

The wooded area was closed to the public for years and fell into disrepair, and "became host to unchecked invasive plants, stray cats, and the disease-carrying Asian longhorn beetle." The Central Park Conservancy started the arduous job of reclaiming and restoring the space in the early 2000s, and in 2016, it was finally opened to the public for the first time in over 80 years.

Find the gate to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary on the south side of Wollman Rink. 

How to Find the Hallett Nature Sanctuary

The sanctuary is located on the east side between 60th and 62nd streets, south of Wollman Rink. It can only be accessed through an unmarked, rustic wooden gate between 10am and 30 minutes before sunset. Look for the vertical green banner on the light post in front of the gate.

Nearby Attractions and Activities

The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is just moments away from Wollman Rink, which transforms into a collection of pickleball courts in the spring, summer, and fall. The Central Park Zoo and Heckscher Playground are also just a few minutes walk away from the sanctuary.

When you're done adventuring, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many excellent family-friendly restaurants near the park, or head north to Sheep Meadow and have a picnic.

READ NEXT: A Perfect Day in Central Park

All photos by author