Meet the newest residents of Battery Park City: a group of ducklings have become a popular attraction for folks who live, work or are visiting the Lily Pond in Rockefeller Park. It’s part of the 36 acres of open space within the residential community along the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan.

"It's almost like there is a duck diary going on, you come by every day and just want to see how they grow," said resident Russ Pomeranz, who likes to check in on their progress daily.

The Battery Park City Authority, which develops and maintains the area, built a mini-ramp for the pond to help the ducklings get in and out. The pond wasn't constructed with easy access or egress for wildlife with its ledges and smooth granite.  

"The ramp is here to allow the ducklings to follow their mother, forage for food, find safety, and do whatever it is that nature intended them to do," said Ryan Torres, Assistant Vice President of Parks Operations for the Battery Park City Authority.

The authority recently launched a “Keep It Wild” campaign, aimed at protecting the diverse array of creatures there. Folks encountering wildlife are urged to observe from a distance, and not to interfere with or feed the animals. Authority President and CEO BJ Jones said one-third of the neighborhood is public park space, an important part of why people and animals choose to be there.

"Environmental responsibility is really important to us, not just in how we take care of the parks, but in how we respect nature, and that goes for the plants and the birds and the insects that are calling Battery Park City home or just passing through," said Jones.

Meanwhile, the ducklings have attained superstar status in the park.

"They are super fluffy and cute, but not in an annoying kind of way," said Addi Edgar, who was visiting with her family.