Keeping Central Park beautiful

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - It takes a lot of dedication to keep Central Park as lovely as it is. And it begins and ends with the Central Park Conservancy.

Mara Altschuler is one of about 300 volunteers who spend 50 hours a week pitching in. She says they work hard to make the trees "happy."

Making the trees happy began in the 1970s when a group of concerned New Yorkers formed the conservancy. They were worried about a decline in the quality of maintenance and services for the park.

More than a place for locals and tourists to simply enjoy, the conservancy also educates the public on horticulture.

And whether it's those who have green thumbs by profession or those who simply want to help the park keep its legendary reputation, the Central Park Conservancy is made up of people who mix New York pride with a true love of history and nature.