Adams Declares War on NYC Tradition: Central Park Carriages Face Extinction

Paul Riverbank, 9/18/2025Mayor Adams' bold move to phase out Central Park's horse-drawn carriages marks a pivotal shift in NYC tourism. While aimed at modernizing and addressing animal welfare concerns, this controversial decision faces significant industry pushback and raises questions about preserving historical traditions versus embracing urban evolution.

I've covered New York politics for two decades, and few issues capture the city's struggle between preservation and progress quite like this one. The mayor's announcement didn't come out of the blue – it followed the deaths of two carriage horses, Ryder and Lady, incidents that turned public sentiment against an industry already under scrutiny.

"We're not just talking about tradition here," Adams told reporters at City Hall, wiping sweat from his brow on an unusually warm morning. "We're talking about what makes sense for a modern urban park." The mayor's words struck me as carefully chosen, attempting to thread the needle between respect for heritage and recognition of changing times.

The Central Park Conservancy's shift from neutrality to supporting the ban speaks volumes. Having walked these paths countless times while covering city politics, I've witnessed firsthand the increasingly awkward dance between carriages and the park's other users – joggers, cyclists, and the occasional wayward tourist on a rental bike.

But let's be clear about something: this isn't just about horses. John Samuelsen, the Transport Workers Union's international president, hit back hard. "Eric Adams is a liar," he declared, his voice rising during our phone conversation yesterday. Samuelsen's fury stems partly from whispered concerns about real estate interests eyeing the West Side stables.

The practical mechanics of the change hinge on "Ryder's Law," legislation that's been gathering dust in committee since 2022. If passed, it would create a sunset period for existing licenses through 2026. City Hall's promise to help transition workers to other tourism roles sounds good on paper, but I've seen similar promises fall short in other contexts.

The NYPD's increased enforcement of current regulations feels like a stopgap measure. During my walk through the park Tuesday morning, I noticed officers already paying more attention to carriage operations, though several drivers I spoke with seemed more resigned than resistant to the coming changes.

Electric carriages might preserve some semblance of the tradition, but as one veteran driver told me, "It's like replacing a Stradivarius with a plastic violin." Still, adaptation seems inevitable in a city that never stops reinventing itself.

What strikes me most about this debate is how it reflects broader tensions in urban governance – the constant push-pull between preserving character and embracing change. Adams might be right when he says this isn't about eliminating tradition but updating it. Yet in a city where tradition often feels like an endangered species, each loss carries its own weight.

The clip-clop of horse hooves in Central Park – a sound as familiar to New Yorkers as subway rumbles – may soon fade into history. Mayor Eric Adams threw his weight behind ending horse-drawn carriage operations last Wednesday, marking what could be the final chapter for this contentious piece of city tradition.I've covered New York politics for two decades, and few issues capture the city's struggle between preservation and progress quite like this one. The mayor's announcement didn't come out of the blue – it followed the deaths of two carriage horses, Ryder and Lady, incidents that turned public sentiment against an industry already under scrutiny."We're not just talking about tradition here," Adams told reporters at City Hall, wiping sweat from his brow on an unusually warm morning. "We're talking about what makes sense for a modern urban park." The mayor's words struck me as carefully chosen, attempting to thread the needle between respect for heritage and recognition of changing times.The Central Park Conservancy's shift from neutrality to supporting the ban speaks volumes. Having walked these paths countless times while covering city politics, I've witnessed firsthand the increasingly awkward dance between carriages and the park's other users – joggers, cyclists, and the occasional wayward tourist on a rental bike.But let's be clear about something: this isn't just about horses. John Samuelsen, the Transport Workers Union's international president, hit back hard. "Eric Adams is a liar," he declared, his voice rising during our phone conversation yesterday. Samuelsen's fury stems partly from whispered concerns about real estate interests eyeing the West Side stables.The practical mechanics of the change hinge on "Ryder's Law," legislation that's been gathering dust in committee since 2022. If passed, it would create a sunset period for existing licenses through 2026. City Hall's promise to help transition workers to other tourism roles sounds good on paper, but I've seen similar promises fall short in other contexts.The NYPD's increased enforcement of current regulations feels like a stopgap measure. During my walk through the park Tuesday morning, I noticed officers already paying more attention to carriage operations, though several drivers I spoke with seemed more resigned than resistant to the coming changes.Electric carriages might preserve some semblance of the tradition, but as one veteran driver told me, "It's like replacing a Stradivarius with a plastic violin." Still, adaptation seems inevitable in a city that never stops reinventing itself.What strikes me most about this debate is how it reflects broader tensions in urban governance – the constant push-pull between preserving character and embracing change. Adams might be right when he says this isn't about eliminating tradition but updating it. Yet in a city where tradition often feels like an endangered species, each loss carries its own weight.