Located in Manhattan, beside the wharves at Burling Slip, is the Imagination Playground, NYC. This children’s playground is an interactive space that was designed by the famous architect David Rockwell with different sets of play elements for kids of all ages.
Imagination Playground, NYC: A Space Designed by David Rockwell
The Imagination Playground opened on July 27, 2010. The playground comes from the mind of well known architect David Rockwell who worked on it pro-bono.
The concept behind the Imagination Playground was to provide a space with loose parts that kids could use to reconfigure their environment.
Speaking at the time of its launch, then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “Imagination Playground is a dynamic new way for children to discover and create while they are playing and having fun.”
“The creation of Imagination Playground furthers our mission to cultivate the minds and bodies of young New Yorkers while demonstrating that once again New York City is the international leader in the design and construction of state-of-the-art playgrounds,” said then-Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Play Elements at Imagination Playground, NYC
Imagination Playground invites kids to play and explore at Burling Slip.
The 0.39 acre playground is located in the historic South Street Seaport district. It incorporates nautical themed into its design, a way to pay homage to the area’s maritime past.
Before being turned into a park, Burling Slip was once a parking lot. Before that, it was used as a dock during the colonial period up to the middle of the 19th century.
Kids are encouraged to explore and enjoy free play around the playground, with room to have fun about.
The play area is surrounded by a figure-of-eight shaped wooden boardwalk. This is meant to evoke the feeling of being within the hull of a ship.
Kids Water Play Area at Imagination Playground
At one end of the playground is a water play area where kids can enjoy some fun amidst little bubbling fountains.
One of half of the Imagination Playground water play area is a small wading pool. Great for kids to cool off in the summer.
There are jets that sprout up from the ground too.
A wooden deck runs through the water play area, providing kids with a spot to hop on and off.
At the perimeter of the water play area, there are sheltered spots where parents and caregivers can have a rest under the shade while still be close to the kids.
Another feature of then Imagination Playground at Burling Slip is the sand play area.
The sand pit has a structure in the centre where parents and caregivers can watch over their charges. The structure is designed to look like a cluster of masts with interactive pulley features.
The wooden deck leads up to a higher level where there is a yellow tube slide that leads down to the sand.
A set of red tubes also invites kids to explore and play by speaking into the tubes and listening. Beside the red tubes is a red structure that kids can climb up and have a look out.
Kids can also play with giant foam blocks, allowing them to make use of their imagination and explore different possibilities of changing their environment. These loose parts come in different shapes and sizes. These include balls, ramps, tracks, pipes and more.
These loose blocks are a play system from a company that is called Imagination Playground.
We especially like that the Imagination Playground is fenced up, keeping kids safe within the confines of the gated area.
Where to Find the Imagination Playground, NYC
Imagination Playground, NYC is located at Front St., John St., and South St.
Do take note that the Imagination Playground is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
You may also enjoy reading about NYC Parks.
