NEW YORK, NY May 14, 2008 —City officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new playground at the Bronx's P.S. 138. It's part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's goal to ensure that all New Yorkers live within a ten-minute walk to a park or a playground.

The city plans to invest $111 million to convert 290 school yards into playgrounds. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe says New York has more than 1,000 playgrounds.

BENEPE: If you around to other cities around the country or around the world we really do have the best playgrounds design and we also have the best playground maintenance.

REPORTER: The playgrounds will include slides, hanging rings and a rock climbing wall. But one former staple of playgrounds - swings - won't be included at most of the sites. Benepe says stricter regulations - along with the possibility of litigation if a child is hurt - has reduced the number of swing sets.