18 Coolest Playgrounds in NYC - On a Map!

Emily N said:  A little off the beaten path, Discovery Playground is nestled among the trees of Fort Washington Park. Finished in 2013, the park has been a beautiful addition to the waterfront. Inspired by nature, Discovery Playground features a tree house, zip line, rope climbing, swings and beautiful views. There are also grills right outside of the playground which make for a fun family day. Discovery Playground is a bit of a trek to get to, but so worth the trip.

Kelly R. said:  Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 has several unique playgrounds that are all worth checking out. Swing Valley has 10 swing sets (for kids of all ages) and Tarzan ropes. Sandbox Village boasts an enormous sandbox. Slide Mountain area has jungle gyms and two-story slides and Water Lab is a kid favorite for its water jet design.

Kelly R. said:  Battery Park City's Teardrop Park offers plenty of spots to explore, with the play area built into a serene natural setting. A long slide is accessed by climbing up a rocky path, there are sand and water play areas, and plenty of nooks to climb and discover.

Kelly R. said:  Washington Square Park is home to three playgrounds that appeal to kids of all ages. The Mounds Play Area features rolling turf-covered hills with an elevated rope course for climbing. A Big Kid Playground features swings, sand play, slides, and more. There's also a separate Toddler Playground for the little ones.

Kelly R. said:  Governors Island's Slide Hill is a fast favorite with three shorter slides (including one built for two people), and a 57-foot winding slide that is the longest in NYC. Kids reach the slides by timber climb, or an accessible path. Two of the site's slides are ADA accessible.

Kelly R. said:  One of Hudson River Park's three playgrounds, the Pier 25 Playground is a gated play space featuring a sandbox, swing sets for big and little kids, a climbing wall and boulders, and a seasonal water play area. While you're in the area, Pier 25 is also home to a great mini golf course.

Kelly R. said:  This playground in Central Park boasts Egyptian-themed elements inspired by the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kids can enjoy climbing pyramids studded with slides and tunnels, a sandbox built around an obelisk, wooden climbers, and swings for all ages. There are also some interactive seasonal water features.

Kelly R. said:  Constructed mostly from natural materials, Billy Johnson Playground in Central Park has swings, net climbers, a stone bridge and a sand area. The crown jewels, though, are the large and small granite slides. Experienced riders will bring along a piece of cardboard to help achieve maximum speed.

Nancy L. said:  Police Officer Moira Ann Smith Playground at Madison Square Park has swings, jungle gyms, and more for kids of all ages. There's even water play in the summer. Enter the park on Madison Ave. and 25th and 26th streets.

Juan L. said:  This Brooklyn playground has distinct play areas for bigger kids, smaller kids and toddlers. The toddler area is gated and features mini equipment and swings. There's also a very cool sprinkler area.

Juan L. said:  Built for children of all abilities, this playground in Flushing Meadows Corona Park offers fun for any kid. The playground has a traffic bridge with traffic lights, a 12-foot-long suspension bridge, an Interpretive Trail with Braille plaques where kids can learn about nature, a racing track, and a water wheel area.

April-November

Kelly R. said:  This Williamsburg waterfront park is home to a pretty epic industrial playground inspired by the sugar refinery that once operated on the site. Play features bring kids through a Sugar Cane Cabin, Sweetwater Silo, and Sugarcube Centrifuge that mirror the refinery process, and an enclosed design means even younger kids will be able to safely enjoy the slides, ramps, tunnels, and climbing spots. The playground itself is worth a special trip, but stick around to experience the spray fountain, large playing field, Fog Bridge, bocce court and Tacocina, the in-park taco stand.

Nancy L. said:  Named for the nearby Vesuvio Bakery, this playground is a fun, almost hidden spot that has extensive jungle gyms ideal for all ages. There are swings, basketball and handball courts, and a spray shower and outdoor pool in the summer.

Kelly R. said:  This NYC playground is a work of art - literally! Kids love the quirky human playground sculpture by artist Tom Otterness, featuring multiple slides, climbing spots, and fun vantage points. Look closely for the many tiny sculptures which dot the large one. There's another play structure here which is more appropriate for toddlers, and when weather allows, kids can also cool off with interactive water features.

Kelly R. said:  Taking a cue from its wonderful waterfront view, this unique nautical-themed playground has a large shipwreck to explore, a lighthouse, a shark climbing feature, sprinklers, sand play areas, and a play unit modeled after the Staten Island Ferry. There are swings for toddlers and older kids.