Diana Ross Playground

Entrance is on 81^st street and central park west. Convenient park to go to if you’re near the museum of natural history. Downside is that there is no bathroom, however apparently there is a bathroom at the Delacorte theater (which isn’t too far of a walk). The museum of natural history also has bathrooms.
Depending on your comfort level, you may not find this park safe b/​c the monkey bars are ridiculously high, and the bottom of the slides are 2 feet off the ground. However, I did see a boy let go of the monkey bars and fly straight down on all fours onto the sand and no bruises or anything.
I read reviews that there isn’t any shade at this park, I came later in the day at around 4ish and there was plenty of shade. I’d return if I’m in the area again.

The only time I ever even see this playground is when I’m walking into Central Park, on my way to the Delacorte Theater, at Central Park West and 81^st Street.
It’s in a little hidden nook on the left/​north side of the path, just before the water fountain, and is used to many a local kid … and their nannies. :-p
Recently upgraded/​updated/​renovated/​whatever-​you-​want-​to-​call-​it like most of the playgrounds in Central Park, bring your kid/​niece/​nephew/​grand-​kid here and enjoy one of the least used, but still wonderful, playgrounds in the city.
Loses a star cause of no big-​kid swings. :-)

What a wonderful little playground. Clean, open, a bit hidden so that you feel like you;re in a little park within the park.
I didn’t even know this playground existed! Went here with my husband’s little cousin — and judging by the way he squealed with delight on the swings and loved running around… I’m giving this playground two thumbs up :)
In fact, it made me a bit jealous that they didn’t have adult swings… but maybe that’s better — keep the creeps away? lol
The playground is clean, round (which is nice so you can always keep an eye on your little one), and open and didn’t seem too crowded. Great little playground inside Central Park