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Parks Newsroom > Guidelines for Filming and Photography in New York

Guidelines for Filming and Photographing in New York City Parks

To accommodate media coverage, film production, and photography in New York City’s parks, Parks & Recreation has created the following rules and regulations to ensure that on-site media operations run efficiently and without disruption. These guidelines are also in place to protect the environment of the parks and the maintenance efforts performed within, as well as to protect and respect the key function of these parks– to provide a safe and peaceful environment for park patrons and wildlife.

We ask all press to pay particular attention to the following Park rules and regulations:

  1. All requests for media coverage in New York City's parks or recreational facilities must first be cleared with Parks & Recreation’s Press Office at (212) 360-1311. All news media must be appropriately credentialed.
  2. If you wish to obtain stock footage of Parks events or programming or digital images of any park property, please contact the Press Office at (212) 360-1311.
  3. No vehicles will be permitted to park within a park’s perimeter unless previously approved by the Press Office. In general, media are required to park on the outside of our parks and walk in with any equipment, unless other arrangements have been made with the Press Office.
  4. Filming will not be permitted where it would compromise the privacy of park patrons (ex: comfort stations and locker rooms).
  5. Any extensive set-up on park lawns (tripods, lights, etc.) must be cleared in advance through the Press Office. Please note that regulations concerning extensive set-up vary by park.
  6. Media requests to tie, drape, or attach rope, props, or equipment to trees, shrubs, fences, or benches will be declined, as will requests to tie or attach anything to any architectural features, statues, sculptures, or fountains. Cutting, tying back, or altering shrubs, plantings, or trees in any way is illegal and will not be permitted.
  7. If set-up requires cable or live wires, any cable that crosses a pedestrian path must be covered and all appropriate safety measures taken.
  8. No directional signs for filming locations of any kind may be posted or staked into the ground.
  9. All materials brought in by permitted media, including trash, must be removed from the park. Summonses will be issued for any trash left behind and any damage to park property. All areas should be left in the condition in which they were found.
  10. If a media request to film on parkland is strictly for background-setting/scenery use only, or if the footage obtained will be used for profit, fill out the Parks Department Film Shoot Request Form. Once the form is submitted, the appropriate park administrator will review production details and either approve the application or work with the applicant to make necessary changes. In addition to the Parks permit, a permit through the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting is also required – request the permit online at www.nyc.gov/film or call (212) 489-6710.

**Please note that location requests within some specific parks are handled directly through those park's respective Conservancy groups and require their own separate application processes. If the Park you would like to film in is listed below, please visit its website for further instructions.