Worth a Trip: Big kids especially will find opportunities to hang, climb and swing at the Hester Street Playground. Community involvement was significant in the $5 million 2010 redesign, and there are distinguishing features that should make local kids proud and attract playground adventurers from around Lower Manhattan.
The playground is near the southern end of Sara D. Roosevelt Park, which is a narrow block wide by a seven-block long strip of park running from Canal St. to Houston St. The sunny and spacious two-level playground has distinct play structures by age group and separate spaces for swings. There is plenty of open space in the middle to run around.
On the upper level, for toddlers there is a small fenced area that includes low climbing platforms, a small slide, three roofed structures for pretend play, and separately gated baby swings. The play area for older kids also starts on the upper level with a variety of connecting monkey bars, including a set that slopes down a few feet to the lower-level structure with platforms, a bridge, and twisting slide. Other climbing options include a narrow corner wall with footholds up to a platform, a free-standing wall with cutouts to grab onto from either side, and a rope web that spans in multiple directions. There are four big-kid swings in a gated zone; more fun for swinging are two tire swings that balance each other like a see-saw. Separately, there is a large sunken sandpit and nearby water-sprays.
A cement sculpture in the toddler zone depicts a cityscape that includes a bridge and pier, parking garage, subway entrance, and taxi cab. Colorful mosaic tile squares designed by neighborhood schoolchildren decorate a low brick wall. And the bright red, curved design of the swing structures are seemingly a nod to traditional Chinese architecture.
Visibility/Safety? From the center of the playground, an adult could keep track of kids in multiple areas. The gates on the south and east sides of the playground were wide open on our visit, so a little-kid escape is possible here. The ground under the play structures is rubberized tiles but uneven. The equipment seemed well maintained with no hazards seen at the time of writing.
Bathroom Emergency? Just outside the gates of the playground is a Parks Department park house that includes bathrooms that are easily accessible and visible, with a few stalls and a changing table.
Snack Time/Coffee Break? There are plenty of benches, which get some shade, lining the inside perimeter of the playground. Outside the playground gates are a few picnic tables. There are plenty of boba bubble tea shops to choose from nearby. Ohaya Bread House on the corner of Forsyth St. and Grand St. has bubble tea plus Japanese rice balls (Onigiri), egg targs, and other quick snacks.
Features: Baby swings, big-kid swings, tire swings, slides, monkey bars, sand, water sprays, some shade, benches, picnic tables, public bathroom, nearby coffee & snacks.
What’s more? The 7-acre park includes a track and a turf soccer field, as well as basketball and handball courts. The M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden provides plots for members to garden, and hosts nature and multi-cultural activities for the community. The park was dedicated in 1934 and named for the mother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition is a nonprofit community organization that is dedicated to protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work, through volunteering, advocacy, programming, and fundraising.
Gianna Abruzzo is a Brooklyn-born mom who has raised 3 girls on the playgrounds of Lower Manhattan. To celebrate and support parks, she created a collection of embroidered, iron-on patches to wear with pride. Shop here, and follow her on Instagram.
