Making a Better Place to Play

Playground Closed. Those have to be some of the saddest words to a kid, and probably just as disappointing to their parents or caretakers.
 
When you see a closed playground, it means the Conservancy is hard at work making Central Park an even better place to play. Our staff maintains the Park's 21 playgrounds, making sure they're clean and safe. That upkeep includes major renovation and reconstruction when needed.
 
The East 76th Street (James Michael Levin) Playground is the latest to get a Conservancy makeover. Through summer 2010, the playground will be closed as the Conservancy:

• Works to create better, more accessible routes in the playground
• Adds new toddler equipment and an ADA-accessible swing
• Creates an accessible water feature around the base of the Sophie Loeb Fountain
• Adds new perimeter plantings that help connect the playground to the surrounding Park landscape
   

In the meantime, explore the Park's nearby playgrounds: the Pat Hoffman Friedman Playground at East 79th Street or the East 72nd Street Playground. Or, check out the Conservancy's recent reconstruction work at some of the Park's most innovative play spaces: Heckscher, Ancient and Tarr Family playgrounds. 

How you can help:
Join the Playground Partners, a group of the Conservancy's Women's Committee that has to date raised more than $2.5 million to maintain and repair Central Parks playgrounds.

Get up-to-date:
Friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news on playground closings and reopenings.