Central Park horse-carriage ban: Letters to the Editor Oct. 19, 2026
The Issue: The mayor and City Council speaker agree to shut down the Central Park horse-carriage industry.The editorial on Mayor Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin’s deal to end the Central Park horse-carriage trade nailed it (“A Dirty Horse-Killing Deal,” Editorial, Oct.15).As a horse professional with 30 years in the business, I can confirm that the 160 horses will have nowhere to go and the 68 carriage-medallion owners are losing everything (with no compensation).The “public safety” claim collapses against a single death in over a century.
This isn’t about safety — follow the money.Those stables sit on some of the most coveted real estate in the city.This ban sets a precedent that puts every lawful animal enterprise in America at risk.Joyce ChartierSan Antonio, Fla.Tourists come to our city to experience Central Park in all its glory.
The horse carriages have existed for over a century and all because of the incident where poor Romanch Mahajan was killed — they’re being banned.What about all the pedestrians who have been killed by e-bikes? And yet, the city will likely never ban e-bikes.This is wrong to do.It’s just another way to destroy our city.Kim CodyWhitestoneEven though the horses are being retired for other reasons, park-goers get the real prize: They can finally walk without watching their step, as manure was always the biggest issue.Akiva LevineManhattanFar more accidents and deaths occur from e-bikes and e-scooters that put public safety in parks at risk.
And yet there is no action to ban these “horseless” vehicles.When will safety for pedestrians elicit such a swift response?Joanne SkibickiManhattanThere is no question the death of Mahajan is tragic.I can’t imagine what his family is going through.
Fortunately, accidents from the horse carriages in Central Park have been rare over the past century.What’s not rare are the assaults, murders and bicycle accidents in Central Park which can result in permanent in...