David Saltonstall (Central Park Conservancy) testifies supporting ban
David Saltonstall of the Central Park Conservancy testifies in support of the ban, citing eight incidents in 13 months, 68% public support, and arguing horse carriages are incompatible with a modern crowded park.
My name is David Saltonstall, and I'm Vice President for Government Relations and Policy at the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages the park on behalf of the city.
And I'm joined by Roger Mosier, the Conservancy's Chief of Park Operations.
The Conservancy supports Romantia's law, and we urge the Council to pass it without delay.
We do not take this position lightly.
Over the past 13 months, Central Park has seen eight separate horse-related incidents, runaway carriages, collisions, injured drivers, and a horse that collapsed and died in front of stunned park goers.
Last month, that pattern ended in tragedy.
India was killed when a horse bolted near Cherry Hill.
It was a devastating loss and our hearts go out to this family who have spoken so eloquently here today.
Public safety is the Conservancy's paramount concern.
Horse-drawn carriages are simply incompatible with a modern crowded park used by millions of visitors a year.
Again, this has become painfully clear over the last 13 months, during which there have been eight frightening incidents, injuring and sadly causing the death of Ramach.
Park is not built for the volume of people we welcome every day to share safely with half-ton animals whose natural instinct is to bolt when spooked.
No amount of regulation and no single piece of hardware can correct for an animal's basic instincts.
The public agrees.
A poll the Conservancy Commission two weeks ago found that 68% of New Yorkers support ending city licensing of horse-drawn carriages in the park.
Support that holds across every borough, every demographic, and every political affiliation.
Keeping New Yorkers safe does not and must not come at the expense of those affected.
We strongly support the provision of real jobs and workforce development services for the drivers and stable workers who will be displaced, as well as humane homes for the horses.
We would not be the first to do so.
London, Paris, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia already have shown how
had to end this practice responsibly, and it's time for New York City to join the rest of the world.
Who's next?