Safari Playground

Just feel like acting one. Don’t miss this litle playground at west central park. A fantastic journey in your true feelings. This quiet little park.

HAPPYNESS!
Love the hippopotamus smiling at you!
A fantastic journey in your true feelings.
Enjoy this cozy corner in the middle of central park. relax. and you will not regret!

There is a certain force that pulls you into this area of the park if you are ever around it. I just happened to pass by it yesterday for the first time. I was without children or even a dog, but found myself trying desperately to get in through the locked gate. Once in, I realized I had place myself in the middle of a story – one of a famliy of hippopotami in the middle of a pool of blue water that I was walking on. Very engaging as you explore the several stories that are taking place. There is a certain emotional warmth that is generated within this space if you take notice of the stories rather than the material from which the hippopotami are made. It takes some imagination, but there is great cinematography/​composition that makes the transition a smooth one from make believe to a questionable reality, especially on an unusually foggy and mild winter’s day with a humidly factor of 93%. The late American sculptor, Robert Cassilly should be commended for what he has done with this space that adds to Central Park’s lore. Tip: If you head further west cross town you will find Cassilly’s original Hippo playground (1993) in Riverside Park. Safari Playground was created four years later.

My daughters and I stumbled upon this quiet little park last week and it was love at first sight. The kids there weren’t too rough and rowdy, it’s got plenty of shade, there isn’t much exposed concrete. The sprinkler was making a little wading pool and everyone had a lovely time. Hug a hippo, go on an imaginary safari in the canoe, pack a picnic and bring your water toys for a fun-​filled afternoon.

If you have children, or just feel like acting one, don’t miss this little playground at West 91^st in Central Park. Highlights include:
Submerged hippopotamus statutes in the blue «water» for you to clamber on, fend off, or just laugh at.
A canoe, for all of your imaginary rafting needs.
A hollow hippo, for the small or very skinny (and very brave) adults to crawl through.