It's not unusual for a rat to be the first thing you see in the two playgrounds by West 67th Street in Central Park.
"They're unusually bold. They'll come into your stroller, which is gross," said Robert Hart.
Some families reluctantly coexist with the hungry rodents lurking around strollers, trying to score snacks. Others are ready to rat them out
"I saw it, and it was ginormous," said six-year-old Lauren.
The family had seen enough and decided to move on.
"It's unfortunate because we don't feel comfortable spending time at the playground when it's such a beautiful day," said Maureen Ginnane.
Rats, living in the nearby brush, seem to be taking over the playgrounds, even bringing their own babies.
"Very close to our feet, and very close to our bags. Disgusting," said Katie Garnovsky.
One mom told Eyewitness News her eight and 10-year-old sons actually refer to it as "the rat playground." And they come armed with water guns to protect everybody.
"Come here and clean out the rats!" said grandmother Margaret Perkins.
Families who want the city to take action have gotten mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa's attention. He says, if elected, his solution would be to let feral cats into city parks.
"The rats, the mice, will smell them. And it would be like they're on patrol. Consider them like Batman and Robin," Sliwa said.
Sliwa said they will be well-managed colonies of feral cats.
"Being feral, they tend not to come up to human beings; they stay at a careful distance," he added.
The city just last week reported that rat sightings are down so far this year compared to last, by 17 percent, thanks in part to new trash disposal policies.
Some parents say they've noticed an improvement, but around their homes.
"I think with this new trashcan thing going on, I think that really changed," said Mike Barisha, "There's really not much you can do besides just, like, pick up after your trash. That's really what we can do."
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