Early in the spring, I visited a creatively-designed playground at the Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. The day of my visit was unseasonably warm, so the playground was swarming with people. This play area is divided in several zones: an active area for school-age children with slides and climbers; a sand area for younger children with small climbing sculptures, play houses, and other elements; an area featuring numerous swing-sets situated between small hills; a water play area; and a natural vegetated area. I was pleased to see that much of the playground includes lots of plants – great for play, shade, and beauty!

A play structure and stepped seating are included in the school-age children’s zone, which is called Slide Mountain.

This is the longest of several slides located in Slide Mountain.

Play sculptures and wooden seating areas in Sandbox Village

Interactive play piece in Sandbox Village

Kids enjoy wooden play houses and other fun features

One of several swing-sets in Swing Valley

Swing Valley includes grassy hills along the walkways.

Unique water devices in The Water Lab (closed for the winter)

Another view of The Water Lab (closed for winter)

This natural area, which includes several paths and seating areas, is rather isolated from the other play zones. Very few people were visiting it when I was there. Fencing off the vegetated areas from access makes it less inviting to children also.

Photos by Alice Webb