The Central Park Conservancy may be flush with cash, but that hasn’t stopped it from charging for formerly free tours of the green space.
The nonprofit, which maintains the park, started charging up to $15 on Monday for the guided tours.
This despite the conservancy’s $200 million endowment, which includes a $100 million gift given last year by hedge-fund titan John Paulson.
Under the new tour pricing, conservancy members will pay $10 and nonmembers will pay $15 for a 90-minute tour guided by volunteers.
“It’s unfortunate, because those tours are great, and one of the great things about the tour is that it’s free,” said Geoffrey Croft, president of New York City Park Advocates. “Charging for tours just doesn’t send the right message.”
The conservancy and private donors fund about 85 percent of the park’s annual operating cost.
“They are insane fund-raisers and monetize everything,” said a source who has worked with the organization. “They are the most money-grubbing people you will ever deal with.”
Conservancy President Douglas Blonsky’s salary, at $456,319, is more than twice the $205,180 annual pay of city of Parks Commissioner Veronica White.
Conservancy spokesperson Dena Libner defended the policy, saying the tours have been improved and the money supports the park.
“These ticketed tours are newly enhanced, with information curated to interest specialized groups,” she said.