Summer Fun Guide 2016: Best Playground Water Features in NYC

Sometimes the swings and a sandbox just aren’t enough, especially during the hot summer months. Good thing plenty of local public parks within the city are equipped with exciting water features to help you and your kids stay refreshed this season.  Take a look at this list and visit these playgrounds during humid summer days to have fun, be active, and stay hydrated with the little ones.  Don’t forget to pack swim suits or a change of clothes!

For our complete 2016 Summer Family Fun Guide, click HERE!

Central Park 

Ancient PlaygroundThis playground is known for its climbing pyramids, obelisk, and sundial, which are reminiscent of ancient Egypt.  But on top of these features, the playground also has user-activated water features, such as the two bridges with flowing water that fall into a cascading waterfall, and an area perfect for kids that gently sprays water from nozzles along the wall. East Side at 85th Street, centralparknyc.org 

spash pad
The Splash Pad at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park; photo via lakesidebrooklyn.com

Heckscher PlaygroundIn addition to curvy slides and swings on Astroturf and a maze-like climber, this park also has a water feature with tunnels, ramps, and slides that sprays water into the air and onto your feet. There’s also a semi-enclosed area where younger kids can cool off in the spray. Central Park at West 65th Street, centralparknyc.org

Rudin Family PlaygroundIn the center of this playground, three granite posts shoot out water for kids to run through, creating rainbow illusions when the sun  shines down on the sprinklers. Central Park at West 97 Street, centralparknyc.org

Brooklyn

Harmony Playground(Prospect Park): This music-themed park includes interactive xylophones and spacious sandboxes where kids can hide their treasures; it also features huge, water-spraying trumpets. 64 West Drive, near Prospect Park West and 10th Street, Brooklyn, nycgovparks.org 

Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park: Cool off in the Water Lab on Pier 6, which features a water jet field for the kids to explore. When they tire of the splashing, they can check out the two-story slides at Slide Mountain, or play in the Sandbox Village. Off  Atlantic Avenue, brooklynbridgepark.org 

Splash Pad at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park : The LeFrak Center at Lakeside boasts the largest water play area in all of Prospect Park, Brooklyn.  A shallow layer of water spanning over 16,000 square-feet is bounded by 47 spray jets perfect for youth to run through.  Dry off and explore other activities in the center, like roller skating, the Bluestone Café, and surrounding picnic areas. 171 East Drive, Brooklyn, prospectpark.org

Uptown 

Neufeld (Elephant) Playground: A local favorite, this park boasts a huge jungle gym, sand table, and swing sets surrounded by large sculpture elephants that spray water from their trunks. Riverside Park at 76th Street, riversideparknyc.org

River Run PlaygroundHop off the swings or merry-go-round into the tall fountain leading into the cool stream that runs through the middle of the playground. Riverside Park at 83 Street, nycgovparks.org

Arthur Ross Terrace, Central Park West and 79th Street: Adjacent to the upper levels of the Hayden Planetarium on the Upper West Side, the Ross Terrace is one acre of luscious grass, shady trees, and granite patios, usually supplied with an ice cream stand during sweaty summer days.  In the middle of the terrace lays a flat fountain inlaid with tiny mirrors and lights that resemble stars and recreate constellations.  Kids are free to run through the thin carpet of water, and adults are welcomed to dip their feet in or lie down in the grass for gentle sprinkling, too. West 81st Street and Columbus Avenue

Chelsea & Flatiron

Chelsea Waterside Play Area: This Chelsea park has huge sprinklers that’ll be sure to douse the kids and revitalize them after a long day of running around in the summer heat. West 23rd Street and 11th Avenue, hudsonriverpark.org

Moira Ann Smith Playground: Run around and climb structures in this Madison Square park playground, but make sure to cool off by darting through sprinklers or soaking yourself underneath the 15-foot water wheel. 26th Street and Madison Avenue, madisonsquarepark.org 

Downtown

The Bosque: This Lower Manhattan oasis, filled with 53,000 square feet  of gardens is an oasis right in Battery Park City.  At the center of the garden lies a 40 ft-wide spiral fountain kids can jump into for an extra rush of energy. Near 17 State Street, thebattery.org 

Imagination Playground:  Designed to spark children’s imaginations, this interactive, David Rockwell-designed playspace in the South Street Seaport also features a water area where kids can use PVC pipes to build damns and manipulate the flow. 2 Fulton Street, imaginationplayground.com

Nelson A. Rockefeller Park:  Park highlights include wide, grassy lawns perfect for picnics and great views of the Hudson River. The water area features elephant water fountains that kids can ride on, and dog heads spewing water into a trough that younger kids can splash in without getting completely drenched. North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace; bpcparks.org

Pearl Street PlaygroundThis playground –which benefited from a $2.1 million renovation in 2012–includes play equipment for tots and a soft surface that absorbs heat.  Along with a new garden area, the park also has spray showers for kids who want to cool down. Fulton Street and Pearl Street, nycgovparks.org

Teardrop Park: Teardrop Park feels more like a natural spring than it does a Manhattan playground!  Immerse yourself in the sunken water play spot surrounded by boulders and tiered rocks to feel like you’ve taken a one-day escape from NYC. Between Warren Street and Murray Street, East of River Terrace and West of North End Avenue, bpcparks.org

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Basketball City

<p>Beginning June 2024, Basketball City will be running a full weekly schedule of Summer</p> <p>Basketball Camps. We will have our professional staff of coaches teaching your kids weekly.</p> <p>Our camps are designed to teach kids the skills they need to become a better basketball player</p> <p>by using specific drills and fitness work that focus on the fundamentals of the game in a fun,</p> <p>safe and inclusive environment.  The camps run weekly varying in time and the number of days</p> <p>for ages 6-17. We have 3-, 4- & 5-day options with times ranging from 9-4pm or 9-3pm. Every</p> <p>camper will receive a jersey once they are registered and arrive. We are limiting the number of</p> <p>camp participants each week to ensure a safe and healthy environment for your children. The</p> <p>limited number of campers will also ensure that your child receives individual attention needed</p> <p>to improve their basketball skills. Our camps in the past typically include current and past NBA</p> <p>players and a collaboration with the Jr. Knicks, the National Basketball Players Association, as</p> <p>well as 5 Star Basketball, and our ever-popular Basketball City FUNdamentals Camp along with</p> <p>our Jr. NBA/NBA Cares NBA Draft/Skills Challenge Camp with future NBA talent.</p>

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>