New York City Playgrounds & Parks Guide
NYC is a big concrete jungle, yes, but we've also got almost 30,000 acres of parkland. From grand, romantic 19th century parks like Central Park and Prospect Park to modern state-of-the-art playgrounds, New York City has some of the best urban green spaces, anywhere.
The city's wonderful parks and playgrounds are part of what makes raising kids here special. No need to coordinate playdates; just head to a neighborhood playground to meet friends or make new ones. You can also do a lot more than just play in the parks, you can go bird-watching, boating, picnicking, or just lay on the grass and stare at the clouds. Our parks and playgrounds are our backyards, community centers and nature preserves all wrapped up in one.
This guide to New York City's Best Playgrounds & Parks will lead you to some veteran favorites as well as innovative newbies that we adore.
Staying Cool in the Parks
New York's Central Park
Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens
Bronx
Staten Island
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Just because we live in a concrete jungle doesn't mean our kids can't enjoy a summer filled with great outdoor spots. And you don't even need to be a Hilton to afford them. New York City offers many opportunities for city kids to learn team sports and also try swimming, tennis, golfing...
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Our month-long focus on Forest Hills comes to a close with a look at our favorite places for kids to play and learn in the area, both indoors and out. Forest Park, which is the neighborhood's southern border, is the go-to green space and boasts playgrounds, ball fields and a historic carousel....
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There is certainly no shortage of wonderful playgrounds and parks in New York City. And as a mom of three (soon to be four), I've explored quite a few of them in my time—some with a fine-tooth comb. But when you add a child with special needs into the mix, the selection of truly great...
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In New York City we have plenty of pools to choose from: outdoor public pools, indoor pools, private pools and even temporary pop-up pools. During the summer, NYC's free outdoor public pools are very popular, but they have their drawbacks, too. First and foremost, they all adhere to...
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Every summer we get emails from readers asking us which NYC playgrounds have the most shade. While kids can always cool off in the sprinklers, we parents are stuck baking in the sun all day—this week I've been reduced to lugging a parasol to the playground and it really doesn't go...
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[UPDATED: April 27, 2013] Recently we received an email asking if we knew about any outdoor volunteering opportunities for New York City families this spring. The timing was perfect since this Saturday, May 4 is It's My Park Day. Organized by Partnership for Parks and held twice a year in the...
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[UPDATED: March 19, 2013] There's something wonderfully nostalgic about kids getting a thrill from a ride on a carousel. There are many merry-go-rounds in our great city, with two new ones slated to open soon, plus the reopening of the long closed Forest Park Carousel. Carousels have a long...
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As we told you last week, Jackson Heights is our neighborhood of the month. For our first post about this diverse area, a local mom and blogger took you on a photo walking tour of her home. Now we're sharing our favorite places to romp in the nabe. From state-of-the-art playgrounds to...