Central Park's largest playground, covering 3 acres near the park's southwest entrance — and New York City's first public playground when it opened in 1926. The natural Manhattan schist rock outcroppings throughout make it more interesting than any playground built from standard equipment alone.
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Central Park's largest playground at 3 acres and the city's first public playground when it opened in 1926. Massive natural rock outcroppings kids can climb, modern equipment for all ages, sprinklers in summer, swings, slides, and an open sandbox. The natural rock features make it more interesting than a standard playground; kids 6 and up stay engaged for hours. Adjacent to ball fields if older children want to watch pickup softball. Open dawn to dusk. Sprinklers on in summer. Free.
Weekday mornings in spring and fall — the playground is busy but not overcrowded, the sprinklers aren't yet on, and the natural rock outcroppings are dry enough for safe climbing.
The large rock outcroppings throughout the playground are actual Manhattan schist — the same bedrock the city's skyscrapers are anchored to. Children climbing them are climbing the same geological formation that makes New York's skyline possible. Worth mentioning to curious kids.
Central Park's largest playground at 3 acres and the city's first public playground when it opened in 1926. Massive natural rock outcroppings kids can climb, modern equipment for all ages, sprinklers in summer, swings, slides, and an open sandbox. The natural rock features make it more interesting than a standard playground; kids 6 and up stay engaged for hours. Adjacent to ball fields if older children want to watch pickup softball. Open dawn to dusk. Sprinklers on in summer. Free.
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