Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village may be best known for the 73-foot high Washington Arch but did you know that it is also home to three playgrounds.
The Washington Square Park playgrounds are made up of two regular playgrounds and one other play area that is rather more unusual.
The rectangular park occupies an area that is four blocks by two blocks in area. Entering in from the arch at the northern end of the park, two of the Washington Square Park playgrounds can be found to the east and to the west of the park. The third children’s playground is at the southwestern corner of the park.
Washington Square Park Playground
The first children’s playground at Washington Square Park is on the eastern side of the park. This gated playground has one entrance that leads into the play area where you will find play structure.
Kids can explore and climb along the play structure. It is a great opportunity for them to put their gross motor skills to good use on the green and brown play area.
Other play elements at the Washington Square Park children’s playground are multiple swings.
There are little concrete turtles too.
The entrance to the children’s playground faces out to the path path that runs parallel to Washington Square North.
Washington Square Park Toddlers’ Playground
On the other side of the Washington Arch is the second playground. The Washington Square Park Toddlers Playground, as the name implies, is for younger children.
Just like the larger first playground, the Toddlers’ Playground is gated, providing a bit of peace of mind to parents.
There is a small play structure, suitably designed for toddlers, at this playground which has a mini slide and a low ramp.
Little teeter-totters provide a spot for toddlers to sway back and forth. Swings for babies round up the play equipment at this second playground.
The entrance to the toddler’s playground faces away from Washington Square North, opening to the park’s path.
Washington Square Park Play Hills
The most unusual of the play areas at the park are the Play Hills that can be found on the south-western end of Washington Square Park.
The Play Hills at Washington Square Park is made up of undulating ground. The hills are covered with turf and it is great fun to roll down the slopes of the hill. Previously, the area was asphalt mounds before being replaced by the Play Hills mounded area submerged in a meadow.
Rope elements also add to the sense of adventure at the Washington Square Park Play Hills.
The playgrounds at Washington Square Park are open 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Nov. 1 – March 1), and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (March 2 – Oct. 31).
When you are done with the Washington Square Park playgrounds, you can also take the kids to splash about at the fountain at the center of the park, especially during the hot summer months.
Or maybe pop over to the dog run to watch the fur kids having fun in their own playground.
Find out more about the Washington Square Park playgrounds.
You may also enjoy reading about the Imagination Playground at South Street Seaport, the near by Fiorello La Guardia Park or Greeley Square Park.
