Heckscher Playground — Attraction in New York

Heckscher Playground is Central Park’s largest and oldest playground. It features a variety of play equipment, including swings, slides, climbers, and an extensive water feature, as well as ample open space for games—all set against Umpire Rock, one of the Park’s most dramatic rock outcrops, and the Midtown skyline. The view is so unique and nice because one sees nature and the buildings simultaneously. There are restrooms here. There is a grand entre upon entering the playground section. They have sprinklers here. It is most unique for having the elaborate water-play area, built on the site of the existing wading pool, which is made up of a series of elevated walkways that are animated by sprinklers and connected to the ground with ladders and slides. My kid didn’t want to leave. I had to physically pick her up to leave! Kids also liked watching all of the people and horses with the carriage. Like most of the city there are many different types of people here. This playground is also unique because there is water in the actual playground. In other words instead of having to choose whether to go to a playground or sprinkler park you can kill two birds with one stone and do both simultaneously. I can't believe there are only 1000 reviews on this place. Out of the 70 different parks and playgrounds we have been to this is definitely one of...

Heckscher Playground was included in the original children were actually allowed to…play. At 3 acres it is also the largest playground and the only one located in the southern area of the park. The playground offers a range of play equipment including 14 swings, seesaws, and a wooden suspension bridge; it also features its own restroom facilities. The ball fields are also equipped with bleachers for the convenience of spectators.

The Playground was named for August Heckscher Sr. (1848-1941)–real estate magnate, financier, philanthropist, and grandfather of August Heckscher III (1914-1997), Parks Commissioner under Mayor John V. Lindsay (1921-2000). Heckscher was born in Hamburg, Germany, the son of the German Minister of Justice. He studied in Switzerland, apprenticed at an export house in Hamburg, then moved to New York in 1867.

The original installation of Heckscher Playground was bitterly fought over. As it has been since its inception Central Park has been the center of an ongoing debate concerning its purpose. Is it to be used for recreation, is it to be a quiet, pastoral retreat from bustling city around it or is it to display the more formal aspects of traditional parks in Europe. Happily this debate has usually ended in compromise that benefits all the users...

The Heckscher playground was around for so long, that even my grandmother played on it. No jokes, it was created in 1927 and was considered one of the literally first ones to incorporate swings and slides. The concept of a “play ground” in the Greensward plan was totally different, involving the meadows and the recreational activities performed on them, at certain times of the day, and with strict rules about the activities. Heckscher Playground was the first playground of the type that we know today – a designated area with specific equipment, solely for entertainment and recreational uses. The patron of the playground - August Heckscher, was from Hamburg, Germany. He arrived in the United States in 1867. Several years later he formed a partnership with his cousin under the name of Richard Heckscher & Company. The firm was eventually sold to the Reading Railroad. Heckscher then turned to zinc mining and organized the Zinc and Iron Company, becoming vice-president and general manager. Heckscher eventually became a multimillionaire and a philanthropist. He started The Heckscher Foundation for Children and created playgrounds in lower Manhattan and in Central Park. He is also the man behind Heckscher Park in the town of Huntington and created the Heckscher...