Characteristics of Private Participation Operation for Central Park in New York City

This study aims to obtain clues for domestic application by examining the private participation for operation of city park targeting Central Park Conservancy and examining the public-private cooperation of park management, organizational structure, and financial operation. Central Park in New York is a representative example of CPC s participation in park operation as a private institution and restoration as a global park. The characteristics of private participation operation can be summarized as follows. First, CPC has a systematic organization for park management. The operating organization of CPC consists of a committee, regular workers, and volunteers. The committee is composed of 53 members, and a systematic decision-making structure was organized by forming a standing committee and a special committee. To manage the park, it employs full-time workers such as planners, landscape architects, executors, finance officers, and public relations officers, and recruits numerous volunteers to support daily activities such as tours, planting flowers and seedlings, and garbage collection. Second, civic participation programs are being promoted. Participatory programs by theme have Environmental/ecological programs, health programs, and culture/art programs and programs for children, youth, and the general public are operated as participatory programs for each generation. Third, it is financial management through fundraising activities. CPC, which has been carrying out restoration projects with New York City funds since 1980, started a fundraising project in 1985 and continued its fundraising activities. About 85% of the annual operating budget is generated through various fundraising activities and investment returns.