Central Park To Become 'Urban Adventure Playground' This Weekend

CENTRAL PARK, NY — For one day this weekend, Central Park will be transformed into "the country's largest urban adventure playground," city Parks Department officials announced. On June 17, the department will host its 13th annual Adventures NYC Festival in the park.

The Adventures NYC Festival will be held in the Central Park Bandshell near the 72nd Street entrance from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., parks department officials said.

"Seize this opportunity to try rock climbing, mountain biking, obstacle courses, wheelchair basketball and more. The park will be packed with free outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels," read a Parks Department press release.

New activities this year include: zip lining, virtual surfing and a Gaga pit. Gaga is an Israeli variation on dodgeball using only one ball. The game is only played with one ball, and participants must strike the ball — catching and throwing is not allowed — and hit their opponents below the knee.

Some of the activities will require participants to sign a waiver.

Here's a full list of the activities:

• Zip lining
• Rock climbing
• Virtual surfing
• Gaga pit
• Mountain bike course
• Outdoor survival training
• Obstacle races
• Yoga
• Wheelchair basketball

Photo courtesy NYC Parks Department