New and Renovated NYC Playgrounds to Check Out This Summer!

Playgrounds in New York have provided recreation, exercise, challenge, and joy to children for as long as we can remember. They’re safe places to run around in an epic game of tag with siblings or friends, burn off steam, and even learn about teamwork, sharing, and perseverance in an unconventional educational setting. Playgrounds extend what is learned in the classroom to an outdoors environment, where children have to take turns on the swings or slides, try again and again to cross the monkey bars, and work together in all of their adventures and games. Due to the value of playgrounds in child development and family memories, several playgrounds have both newly emerged and undergone extensive renovations in the past year to continue creating these special experiences. Many of the renovations have focused on safety precautions, color and design, and new equipment to keep your kids interested.

Pssst… Plenty of these new playgrounds feature water sections, but if you’re curious to know more about New York’s Water Sprinkler Parks and Water Playgrounds check out our roundup.

Manhattan

Billy Johnson Playground, Upper East Side
Central Park, East 67th Street at 5th Avenue

In the fall of 2018, Billy Johnson Playground reopened with exciting new additions that, if you haven’t already checked out yet, you should definitely add to your summer bucket list. While the playground has always been known for its 45-foot granite slide, there is now a second granite slide that’s smaller and more catered to little ones. As the older sibling slides down the big, granite, slide, little ones don’t have to wait on the sidelines anymore and watch- they have their own slide! The water area also received upgrades with a user-activated feature, so stay cool this summer at Billy Johnson Playground. The swing area now has bucket swings and tire swings, as well as an area to play in the sand and a rope climber. While your kids make their way up and down this playground, relax on the new benches and enjoy the day outdoors. This is the first summer of Billy Johnson Playground being open post-renovations, so head to this park today for family fun, laughter, and adventures!    

Kid slides down granite slide.
We can’t get enough of this granite slide at Billy Johnson Playground! Photo by Niel Vuolo.

Chelsea Waterside Park, Chelsea
23rd Street at 12th Avenue

Last August, Chelsea Waterside Park reopened up after a 10-month renovation period and revealed itself as an entirely new playground. The park now has a rainbow theme with the construction of a 22-foot, rainbow pipefish, which brings smiles to the faces of toddlers, young children, older kids, and even adults. The pipefish is a playground in itself for all ages, as toddlers can climb into its tail and down a little slide, while older kids enjoy the spiral staircase and fast slide. Another new feature is the combination of water and sand- you no longer have to go to the beach to build your sand castles! Water trails into the sandbox by spinning wheels, so kids can bring their sand toys and enjoy making their sand creations. Finally, there are now two, renovated water areas: one for toddlers and one for big kids, both complete with user-activated systems. Enjoy all of the new features of Chelsea Waterside Park today!

This rainbow pipefish attracts families from all over the city. Photo by Hudson River Park Trust.

DeSalvio Playground, Nolita
44 Spring Street

Having just reopened this spring, DeSalvio Playground is a hot destination this summer for kids in the Soho area. Playground designs with a pop of color seem to be the trend (as they should), and DeSalvio Playground caught on with their red and neon green accents. All ages are welcome in this park, as there is an area for crawlers and early walkers, toddlers, and older kids. For the kids who love climbing, there’s a rock climbing wall and a rope climbing area, as well as a basketball court for those who love to toss a basketball around. There’s also a sprinkler area and shaded benches to cool off. The benches have great views of the entire playground, as they’re positioned all around, so parents, you can relax while also keeping a close eye on your little ones!

We’re loving these bright new colors at DeSalvio Playground! Photo by Yu P.

Safari Playground, Upper West Side
91st Street at Central Park West

While Safari Playground has always been a unique play experience with tree houses instead of slides and hippopotamus sculptures instead of swings, the park now has much more to offer with the renovations finished this May. Newly opened for the first time this summer, head to this playground to check out the wood climbing structures, play canoes, user-activated water spray feature, play mounds, and more. Renovations were also made to better connect the playground to Central Park, as well as provide a wheelchair-accessible route. This park is best for your little ones, ages two to five, so bring your family this summer to see the new additions and have fun in the park!

Safari Playground invites your family to come play this summer! Photo by Central Park Conservancy.

Brooklyn

Domino Park, Williamsburg
15 River Street

Last summer, the old Domino Sugar Factory was remodelled into a play area and the foundations of this historical place characterize its experience- sweet! With a waterfront walkway and three, huge play areas, this park is sure to impress kids and parents. The playground area has ramps, tunnels, conveyor belts, catwalks, a silo, centrifuge container, elevated cabin, and wood from the factory, all in an effort to resemble the Domino Sugar Factory. The second main part of the park is the five-block-long elevated Artificial Walk with materials preserved from the Domino Sugar Factory. This area includes Tacocina, a taco stand, and an urban beach with a lawn, chairs, and picnic space. The final section of this enormous park is the Water Square, which features sprayers to cool off on those hot summer days. Don’t miss out on this family-friendly NYC attraction!

Visit this unique playground area in Domino Park today! Photo by Mark Reigelman II.

St. Mary’s Park, Carroll Gardens
Smith Street between Nelson and Huntington Streets

Reopened last May, St. Mary’s Park boasts brand new playground equipment that is accessible to all and perfect for kids of all ages. Cool off in the spray showers and relax on the new tables and chairs. There are also net climbers, planting beds, and new fences, as well as a brighter and more vibrant color design. Safety, accessibility, and, of course, fun, were priorities in St. Mary’s Park’s reconstruction, which, I’m sure we can all agree, are pretty spot-on priorities. Visit St. Mary’s Park this summer for hours of family fun!

We’re obsessed with these colorful renovations to St. Mary’s Park! Photo by NYC Parks.

Asser Levy Park, Coney Island
Boardwalk, Surf Ave., Sea Breeze Ave., Ocean Parkway

If you haven’t paid a visit to the newly renovated Asser Levy Park, it’s time to do so this summer! This past Valentine’s Day, the park reopened with separate play areas for two to five year olds and five to twelve year olds, featuring swing sets and jungle gym equipment. There’s also now a spray shower, tables for adults and toddlers, and improved drainage, lighting, and pathways. Coney Island has long been a popular summer destination for families, and the renovations to Asser Levy Park only enhance its appeal.  

Join the fun at Asser Levy Playground at Coney Island this summer! Photo by NYC parks.

Queens

Astoria Heights Playground, Astoria
30 Road between 45th and 46th Streets

Residents, students, and administration saw their ideas and suggestions come to life last July with the reopening of Astoria Heights Playground. The playground was remodelled using community input, featuring new equipment for all ages, splash and spray water area, new athletic fields, new pathways, and an accessible ramp. Environmental-friendly systems were also installed, which, combined with the active and passive play areas, make this playground a must-visit destination this summer! Also, mark your calendars for June 22, when Astoria Heights Playground will show Ralph Breaks the Internet at 8:30pm for free.

The new water area is in action at Astoria Heights Playground! Photo by NYC Parks.

The Bronx and Staten Island

Black Rock Playground, Soundview, Bronx
Between Watson and Blackrock Avenues and Virginia and Pugsley Avenues

Just reopened this May, Black Rock Playground shows off its bright colors and brand new playground equipment. There are now play areas for different ages, with more challenging climbing structures for big kids. Enjoy the breeze on the swings, refreshing water from drinking fountains, and the water play area perfect for the summer. There are also improvements to the drainage and water supply systems, as well as new plantings to add some vibrancy. Put Black Rock Playground on your summer to-do list and your children will surely be happy that you did!

Black Rock Playground is full of new equipment for more smiles this summer! Photo by NYC Parks.

The Big Park, Staten Island
Grandview Avenue at Continental Place

If you find yourself in Staten Island this summer, head to The Big Park to check out the, dare we say, big renovations completed last July. Another park designed by community input, new features include jungle gyms for kids of all ages with safety surfaces, spray showers, a new lawn for play and relaxation in an open, green space, a picnic area, comfort station, fitness trail, and remodelled sports courts. There are also several environmental-friendly systems now in place. Check out The Big Park with your family to make memories of play, laughter, and smiles to last a lifetime!

The Big Park welcomes your family for some BIG fun! Photo by NYC Parks.

 

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

BAMkids

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">BAMkids presents adventurous art and ideas for young audiences, igniting the imaginations of creative kids ages 3—11 with a fun and engaging lineup of workshops, movie matinees, and live performances from around the world.</span></p>

KTBYTE

<div><strong>Computer Science Coding Classes for Children </strong></div> <div> </div> <p>Ages 8 - 18</p> <p>Enroll today for a FREE Trial and our Summer and School Year Course Offerings!</p> <p>Differentiated and Individualized Learning with our Caring and Knowledgeable Staff!</p> <p>Offer YOUR child the competitive advantage of learning a new language and also using STEM to learn and have fun! </p> <p> </p> <div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987ktbyte-vision"> <p><strong>The KTBYTE vision</strong></p> <p>At KTBYTE, our vision is to make a high-quality Computer Science (CS) education accessible to students globally while also making CS exciting and engaging for them!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987diffsimilar"> <p><strong>The KTBYTE Difference</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE offers a progressive Computer Science curriculum for students ages 8-18 years old. Classes range from introductory JavaBlocks™ programming to college-level courses. KTBYTE offers classes that stand out from the standard Core Curriculum for high-school students, with unique programs such as USACO prep courses, Generative Art and Design courses, and even Machine Learning courses. Our instructors are dedicated, nurturing and passionate about what they do and committed to ensuring that KTBYTE students are exposed to an unparalleled, dynamic, educational and engaging CS learning experience! Register today for a <a href="https://www.ktbyte.com/freetrial" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ktbyte.com/freetrial&source=gmail&ust=1622725037124000&usg=AFQjCNED2R673ZzKakJOtaGSycFpwW73uw">Free Trial</a> and experience the KTBYTE Difference!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987aluminiaccomp"> <p><strong>KTBYTE Alumni Accomplishments</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE alums consistently outperform their peers in terms of their academic accomplishments. KTBYTE students ace their AP CS courses and exams and are also incredibly successful through the competitive college admissions process. KTBYTE students have been accepted to numerous Ivy League and competitive colleges and universities including but not limited to Brown, Carnegie Mellon, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, UPenn, Princeton, Tufts, Yale, and many more!</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987shorttermbenef"> <p><strong>What Makes the KTBYTE Course Experience Unique?</strong></p> <p>At KTBYTE, all of our instructors are highly qualified and experienced, educational professionals who differentiate learning and offer KTBYTE students a multitude of opportunities for individualized instruction by spending hours each week preparing for each specialty class that they teach in order to offer a dynamic, engaging and fun educational course interaction for every KTBYTE student. Through our Virtual Machines, our instructors are able to see exactly what is on your child’s screen throughout every class, and as such are easily able to assist your child through any obstacle that may arise. At KTBYTE, our nurturing, knowledgeable and caring teaching staff anticipate and identify when a student may be struggling with a problem even before the student decides to ask a question about it.</p> </div> <div id="m_3428097911001171987whoareinstructors"> <p><strong>What Sets the KTBYTE Teaching Team Apart?</strong></p> <p>KTBYTE instructors are college and post-college working professionals with extensive backgrounds in computer science. At the highest level, our artificial intelligence classes are taught by a graduate sutdent in AI. Each of our teaching professionals is passionate about igniting a love for learning in your child by presenting Computer Science concepts in practical ways which offer the student the opportunity to see Computer Science at work in recognizable applications from daily life. Every class, regardless of level will be individualized and differentiated to ensure your child’s success!</p> </div> </div>

Studio E Art Classes

<p>Art, drawing, illustration, painting, and pottery.  Studio E Art Classes for ages 2 ½ to adult offers a creative space to find joy and rest in the creative arts. 7-week sessions are available for all classes, or just drop into a class to give it a try.</p> <p>Studio E Art is a great place to schedule a birthday party, celebration, scout troop activity, fundraiser and more.  Summer camps for children and tweens are available for half or full day in art or pottery.</p> <p>Find a complete list of classes, descriptions, and times on our <a href="https://studioeartclass.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, or give us a call at 631-744-4001</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bc02a8ce-7fff-3ce7-fefb-13163f0a79b6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e621915-7fff-f490-fe96-ea466c05ebda"></span></span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-eef1d235-7fff-f52c-632b-0a2c03581014"></span></p>