Billy Johnson Playground

There is one thing that makes Billy Johnson Playground utterly, unforgettably unique among New York City's 1,000+ playgrounds: the 45-foot granite slide carved directly into the Central Park bedrock.

This is not your average playground slide. This is a real, natural-stone incline that sends children (and more than a few adventurous parents) rocketing down a smooth granite surface with exhilarating speed. Bring a piece of wax paper, rubbing it on the surface before each run is an unofficial tradition that makes the already-fast slide even faster.

The first time your child goes down, their expression will be priceless. And then they'll run back up and do it again. And again. Billy Johnson Playground is the rare attraction where the main draw is simple, natural, and unimprovable.

Beyond the granite slide, the playground features traditional equipment, climbing structures, swings, and play areas suitable for toddlers through older elementary kids. But let's be honest: the slide is the main event.

The playground sits on the east side of Central Park near 67th Street, close to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This makes it an excellent combo destination: playground in the morning when kids have peak energy, then the Met's American Wing or child-friendly Egyptian exhibits in the afternoon.

It's the kind of playground that creates lifelong memories.