Central Park's Hallett Nature Sanctuary Reopens To Public After 90 Years

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — A four-acre sanctuary in New York's Central Park that's been fenced off since the 1930s will open to the public this summer.

The Hallett Nature Sanctuary is still fenced off, but has a new rustic gate and pathways. Invasive plant species that grew in the area were also cleared away.

"You know Central Park is the great democratic space and we want everything to be open and accessible to everybody," Doug Blonsky, head of the Central Park Conservancy said.

The area was closed to the public after it was designated as a bird sanctuary by Robert Moses WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported. Moses became parks commissioner in 1934.

The sanctuary is located near the southeast corner of Central Park, near Fifth Avenue and Grand Army Plaza. 

The park will be open through June 30 on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from July 1 to Aug. 31.

The opening is part of the Central Park Conservancy's woodlands initiative.

"You have the buildings all around you, but you are kind of set aside, taken away from the city here," Central Park Woodlands Manager John Paul Catusco said.

Originally called the Promontory, it was renamed Hallett Nature Sanctuary in 1986.

Conservancy President Douglas Blonsky says it's believed it was closed because Robert Moses wanted to turn it into a bird sanctuary. Moses became parks commissioner in 1934.

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