Worth the Trip! Especially if you are visiting the High Line, the Whitney Museum, or taking a bike ride through the Hudson River Park, it's worth visiting this Lower Manhattan playground.
Everything we love about this playground remains the same, with a bouncier floor and fresh new colors of paint. In this mid-sized playground jutting out on a Pier, there are three play structures, a sandbox, and a few ways to get wet. While there are features for all ages, smaller kids may get the most out of it.
The centerpiece play structure is the wide spiral ramp that climbs around and around, up to six feet tall at the top. It’s an easy and safe run-up to the top and the views are great (across to New Jersey, One World Trade, the Statue of Liberty), but, beware: on the top platform there is a wide opening to a vertical ladder and firepole that little kids may not be ready for.
There are two other, more traditional play structures – one for older kids (ages 5 to 12) and a much lower one for younger kids (ages 2 to 5). These both feature some typical slides, monkey bars, and hanging bridges. Of note is the tall, vertical, metal ladder for older kids, as well as the tiny climbing wall with a rope for little kids.
In summer, there are water features for all ages. For bigger kids, there are fountains of water from high up and mists spraying out sideways from the wall. There is a gentle stream to splash in that flows throughout the playground, with brass fish, turtles, and crabs hiding along the way. And, far away from any older kids, is a third water play spot with a few gentle spouts.
What’s more? There is a reference to the far past history of the area in a couple of the playground’s structures. The spiral ramp was designed as a nod to a military fort that was situated on the site during the War of 1812, but it never saw any action and was demolished about 40 years later. The stream of water represents the Minetta Brook, which ran from as far as Washington Square Park and was paved over in the 18th century. Visit Minetta Park for another similar water stream. And, outside the playground perimeter, kids can walk out to a ship’s bow jutting out into the water.
If you make the playground part of an exploration of the Greenwich Village and Meatpacking neighborhoods, we suggest a walk on the High Line and a trip to the Whitney Museum. The Whitney’s weekend family open studio (10:30 am to 3 pm) offers high-quality art projects that relate to the work of an exhibiting artist. Although admission is steep ($25 per adult), kids 18 and under are free.
There is an extensive line-up of free arts, recreation, and education activities offered throughout Hudson River Park. With older kids, try a Sunday morning nature walk, which begins nearby at Pier 40, before heading over to the playground.
Snack Time/Coffee Break? There are many benches but only a small patch of shade within this playground. Aside for an occasional ice cream cart in the park, it’s a bit of a hike across West Street and into the neighborhood to find anything to drink or eat so we suggest stocking up before you arrive. Three Owls Market on Washington Street is the closest, and it’s a great choice. Near the entrance, you will find a basket of baby food pouches as well as a case full of craft beers. There’s enough here to pack a picnic with sandwiches, pastries, a wide variety of drinks, and snacks. It’s also bright and airy for a sit-down lunch in one of about ten tables. Go a couple of blocks more for a treat of Ample Hills Ice Cream at Bubby’s diner, or to find treats stands up on the High Line.
Visibility/Safety: From a bench, it is possible to keep an eye on kids in different sections and the two gates. The new flooring is soft and bouncy rubber, except for the water spray areas that are concrete.
Bathroom Emergency? There are bathrooms maintained by Hudson River Park just outside the playground.
Features: Slides, monkey bars, water sprays, benches.
Gianna Abruzzo is a Brooklyn-born adventurer with nearly ten years of experience exploring playgrounds – in Lower Manhattan, around NYC, and in eleven more countries – with her three daughters. Gianna seeks to share a sense of community and pride in the places we play. Follow her on Instagram
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