The New York City’s Central Park has been closed after at least one person was injured in an explosion.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the explosion hit the park before 11 a.m. on Sunday near 62nd Street and 5th Avenue, around the Central Park zoo.

A police bomb squad with bomb-sniffing dogs was deployed to the scene but it was not yet clear what caused the explosion, NYPD said.

At least one man was critically injured in the explosion and taken to hospital with a "possible amputation," the fire department said.

Eyewitnesses said the man, part of a three-person group, was climbing a rock structure when he stepped on something that “caused small explosion.”

The area was cordoned off by police and the NYPD was expected to hold a press conference for more details.