John A. Paulson's gift to the Central Park Conservancy is believed to be the largest gift ever to a public park. It was announced Tuesday.
Paulson says Central Park is the most democratic of all New York's great cultural institutions. He says his donation will benefit all New Yorkers.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Paulson's gift will ensure that the park remains a peaceful oasis.
The 56-year-old Paulson is the founder and president of Paulson & Co. He is a native of Queens and a graduate of the Harvard Business School.
The pledge will be paid out by Paulson and his Paulson Family Foundation.