UPPER EAST SIDE — Billy Johnson Playground in Central Park is a favorite among Big Apple tykes.
Circled by tall, lush trees, the East 67th Street playground feels woodsy, and offers an escape from the city and the sun.
"This is our favorite spot in this big park," said Kristin Bjork, 36, who lives on the Upper East Side and brought her 3-year-old daughter, Tilda, to the park earlier this month. "You have the shade, you can hide here. It's a different environment."
A small sprinkler at the center offers a refreshing splash, while a Sahara-size sandbox, stone bridge, curving pathways and a long slide built into a nearby hill provide plenty of opportunities to explore.
"We're always here at the park to take advantage of the fountain," said Midtown resident Raena Rojo, 36, as she watched her 2-year-old son, Easton Curtin, fill the back of a toy dump truck with water. "He loves it. They always have a great time here."
Charlie Cord, 6, stuck his entire face into the sprinkler head, water covering his head, T-shirt and shoes.
"It was good," the boy said, taking a brief break from the spray. "I'm going back in."
