De Blasio Reaches Deal to Save Central Park Horse Carriages
- Agreement would provide for stables in the park for 75 horses
- Deal falls short of mayor's pledge to ban all horse carriages
A carriage horse and driver travel down the street near Central Park on April 21, 2014, in New York City.
Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
New York City’s horse carriages will continue to traverse Central Park’s roads after Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed with the drivers’ union to limit their use to the park, in a deal that would save scores of jobs.
The issue, which arose when the City Council balked at de Blasio’s efforts to impose an outright ban on concerns over the horses’ welfare, became one of the mayor’s most contentious political tests during the two years he’s served in office. De Blasio received financial backing and campaign volunteers with his promise to get rid of the plushly appointed buggies “on day one.”