Explore Stone Forts & Tunnels at Heckscher Playground!

Heckscher Playground Central Park. Updated 2018.
The friendly policemen pointed us in the right direction to Heckscher Playground, the oldest playground in Central Park. But before we headed off, we took that “Iconic pic with a NYC policeman” selfie. Because you have to, right?  (It made our day!)

Hand on heart, my favourite thing about travelling with kids is exploring local playgrounds. It’s hands-down the best way to find and meet locals, if only for a few minutes chat. Manhattan locals are happy to share their top tips on the best places to visit with kids in New York.

We have been given so many golden nuggets of insider travel from awesome mums (moms) and dads we’ve met while pushing a swing, catching a child at the bottom of a slide, or sharing a smile as our offspring played alongside one another, as brand new ‘best friends’.

Heckscher Playground was no different.

I chatted to a few Manhattan moms who gave us tips on where to eat with kids in New York City, other Central Park Children’s playgrounds we must visit, where to find more Central Park swings, and fun interesting things to do in New York City with children in tow.

The places they go when they head out with the kids. NOT the tourist stuff.

Turns out Heckscher Playground is a popular haunt with locals, and visiting families with kids, because it’s the closest playground to the W59th st entrance to Central Park (the road across from The Plaza, where the horse-and-carriage rides wait) and not too far (within walking distance) from the Empire State building, Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center.

Heckscher Playground Central Park

Heckscher Playground is the oldest playground in Central Park, originally built back in 1926!  The fort-and-tunnel style playground has bridge walks, turrets, underground tunnels through stone domes, and multiple slide.

The playground backs onto giant-sized boulder rock formations – a parkour lover’s dream. (These rocks are just as good as the playground equipment – kids are all over them!).

I can’t quite put my finger on what this part of the playground reminds me of.

One minute, I’m thinking ancient Egyptian pyramids. The next, future space stations on Mars. One thing is for sure, this playground was before its’ time, and it continues to capture the imaginations of kids from around the world.

The Playground Equipment at this Central Park for Kids

At Heckscher Park playground in Manhattan, there’s also :

• a separate swing zone, with multiple swings and two giant-sized slippery dips on either side
• a water playground inside three adjoining paved circles (kind of like mystery crop circles…. the space theme continues!)
• a giant sandpit zone, with a climbing net, a twin-carriage toddler-sized slide set on a smaller brick-and-block structure

The Heckscher playground at Central Park was reconstructed in 2005, and is fully fenced. It’s definitely one of the best Manhattan playgrounds.

Heckscher Park Ballgames

The Heckscher Ballfields consist of six baseball and softball fields located at 63rd Street, west of the Carousel. Baseball and softball leagues from all over the city play on these six fields every year.

You’ll be most likely to find a game in play during May to July, and there’s plenty of seating for you to stop and enjoy this New York family tradition.

Heckscher Park Events

There’s lots of Central Park attractions and events, including storytelling, guided walks, kids adventure tours and more.

Click the blue link for current Central Park events.

Visiting Central Park should be on your list if you are looking for interesting things to do in New York City.

The Inside Scoop – Heckscher Playground New York

Correct at time of publication. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of.

Address: Heckscher Playground NYC is located at 7th Avenue and Central Park South, mid-park from 61st to 63rd Streets.
Telephone: 212-310-6600 (Information available Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Website: Heckscher Park Central Park
Opening Hours of Heckscher Playground in Central Park: 7:30am until dusk
Entry Fees: Free entry
How to get to Heckscher Park:

• By Bus: From the Empire State Building, catch the M5 (Red line) or M7 (Blue line bus) up 6th Avenue. Disembark at Central PK S/6 Av
• By Subway train: Catch the N or R train to 5 Ave Subway Station
• On Foot: Entrance to Central Park South is opposite the Plaza Hotel on W 59th St Central Park S
• By Taxi/Uber/Car: Drop off point is W 59th St Central Park South

Parking: There is no parking in Central Park. Many parking garages are available nearby.

Heckscher Playground Map

Nearest takeaway coffee and/or food options: Snack carts on site.
Toilets: Restrooms onsite, including baby change table
Disability access: Limited
Closest ATM: There’s a Wells Fargo ATM two blocks south at 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA
Shade: Trees for shade. BYO Hats and sunscreen.
Enclosed: Yes.
Ground cover: Rubber soft fall, concrete pathways, grassy field, synthetic turf
Picnic tables: Yes, and bench seating
Electric BBQs: No
Water Bubblers/fountains: Yes
Scooters and Bikes: Yes
Dogs: On leash only.

Notes:

• Heckscher Playground is best for children ages 6 to 12.

This playground was last reviewed in July 2018.

Toadstool Rating – The Best Playground in Central Park 

 

Looking for MORE Super Fun Things to Do in NEW YORK CITY with Kids?

Click the blue links below.

• Meet NYC local families when you visit this cool Brooklyn Playground

• 7 Super Fun Things to Do at the Brooklyn Bridge for Kids

• Be like Stuart Little and Sail Model Boats with the Kids at Conservatory Water Central Park

• Central Park has a life-size Alice in Wonderland Statue

• 9 SUPER COOL Fun Things to Do with Kids at Brooklyn Bridge Park

• The Big Question: Should you Take the Kids to the 911 Memorial NYC Museum? Find out more here.

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