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Rat Rock (Visit this link)

It may be officially known as "Umpire Rock," but local climbers call it "Rat Rock" (so named for the boulder's four-legged nocturnal visitors). Located just west of Heckscher Playground, Rat Rock is roughly 150 feet wide and 25 feet tall and draws thousands of rock climbers - and fascinated on-lookers - every year. Bring your climbing shoes (or just your digital camera) for a unique and free outdoor afternoon in the park known as Central.

Central Park West & 61st St.

Last Modified: Thursday Jul 02 2009

Rat Rock is located in

other neighborhoods in Central Park include:

Crossing Town

New Yorkers divide religiously along East Side/West Side lines. But occasionally they are known to travel to the Other Side. If you find yourself in such an unlikely position, you might take a cross-town bus: they run along 66th/67th Streets, 72nd, 86th, 96th, and 110th. These are, however, some of the slowest buses in the MTA's roster, famously clocked at an average of about four miles per hour. So you might also consider walking, enjoying the park along the way, and grinning as you pass the bus unloading its charges.

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