UPPER WEST SIDE — A playground for toddlers in Central Park that's been closed for six months will reopen with antique-style playhouses Wednesday.
Mariners' Playground, just off West 84th Street along Central Park West, will reopen after a $1.5 million renovation, the Central Park Conservancy said.
The nautical-themed playground, which is geared towards kids ages 2 to 5, closed in May for reconstruction as part of the Conservancy's plan to renovate 20 playgrounds across the park.
The renovation focused on replacing outdated play equipment and beautifying the surrounding landscaping, as well as adding new water features, the Conservancy said.
The goal of the renovation was also to return the 80-year-old playground as much as possible to its original look.
The Conservancy added two playhouses inspired by the original ones installed in 1936 when Robert Moses opened the playground. The houses are geared toward stimulating imaginative play, the Conservancy said.
Similarly, a 7-foot fence that was added in the '90s was removed in order to return the site to its original look.
New benches now line the perimeter so caretakers have more places to sit, the Conservancy said.
A new play structure with a slide and climbing equipment replaced an outdated one, and other features that include springs and spins were added in the middle of the playground, the Conservancy added.
Additionally, a new water feature includes spray jets that can be activated by pushing a button.
The path leading to the park was redone to make it wheelchair-accessible and new plantings were added around the perimeter.
