There are so many exciting new projects happening in NYC, but are you up to date with all the cool playground news? Here’s some awesome stuff we’ve heard around town recently (and feel free to e-mail us at kids.ny@timeout.com with “PLAYGROUND” in the subject line to let us know of any other awesome playground-related news around the city).
Mary Whalen Playground (located in the Woodhaven section of Forest Park in Queens) re-opened to the public on June 3rd, and it’s undergone some major renovations. The NYC Parks Department reportedly dedicated $1.4M to replace old play structures with newer, safer structures and added an ADA accessible entrance, plus more trees to provide shade on hot summer days. From the look of it, there’s a very exciting netted climbing structure that the kids will definitely dig.
Another Imagination Playground (a twin in many ways to the one located at Burling Slip) debuted in Brownsville in Betsy Head Park in late April. It includes over 200 blue Imagination Playground Blocks plus other fun features like swings, speakers, sound funnels, a water play area, sand, slides and a bridge. There’s even a small fitness area for adults!
Paul Raimonda Playground just got it’s first renovation since 1995, ($2M in total) and it looks great! There’s a spray shower shaped like a Steinway baby grand piano that has keys to play with, plus there are several water features at ground level too. Additionally, the bocce court was removed and replaced by adult fitness equipment for visitors of every ability.
A special needs-inclusive playground opened in Old Bethpage’s Haypath Park on the weekend of June 11/12 thanks to Junior League Long Island members and local volunteers. It’s retrofitted to the existing playground equipment there (so nothing needed to be removed), and it includes drums to bang on, buttons with musical sounds, wheels to turn and fun bullhorns to speak through. In case you were wondering, the ground surface is also perfect for wheelchairs.
Play:ground was successfully funded via Kickstarter and opened for business on Governor’s Island. It’s an adventure playground, meaning it’s a supervised play space created from various found materials! Here, kids can get dirty with mud, glue, chalk and even try out real hammers and nails to build things. Read more about it here.
Speaking of Governors Island, The Hills are about to open…and with them FOUR new slides of varying lengths for your kiddos to enjoy!
West Sayville’s Whitehouse Playground also opened the weekend of June 11/12. It’s a 77’ x 65’ play area complete with multiple slides, covered towers, bridges, several mini rock climbing walls and other fun climbing structures. Find it on Cherry Ave.
Last but not least...while you’re at it…don’t forget to visit our other favorite playgrounds in NYC! Happy adventuring!