Abraham Lincoln Playground

135th st between 5th and Madison

The girls and I ran into this park in search of another.  The first thing we all noticed was the swimming pool inside the playground (in it's own gated area).  It was really hot that day and the girls begged to jump in the water but I didn't bring the pool lock and besides, the little city swimming pools give me the heebie-jeebies.  There's just not enough room for a lot of people.  Once they got over the disappointment of no swimming pool the girls took up shop on the monkey bars (as usual).  The playground is clean and large, but ultimately out of the way.  Surrounded by a hospital, government houses, and the East River, the playground is too isolated from other things to do for me to make this a usual destination.  However, if you live in the neighborhood this playground is a great place to bring your scooter and spend the afternoon. 

Highlights

• Multi-Level Monkey Bars 

Lowlights

• Out of the way • Some Non-Kid Adults

What It's Got

• 6 Baby Swings • 2 Jungle Gyms (1 Big, 1 Tots) • 5 Slides • Monkey Bars (Small and Medium)  • 2 Gymnast Rings • 2 Tic Tac Toe • Shower Sprinklers • Chess Tables • Working Water Fountain • Trashcans • Hard-Rubber Tile 

What Parents/Nannies Should Know

• Bathrooms Inside Gates • All Shade • 1 Entrance 

Nearby

• Pool (Inside the Gate) 

Rating: (out of 5)

Sarah: 

Lexi: 

"You know me, I love the monkey bars.  But this place is just okay."

Annie:  X 18

"The sprinklers got me soakin!"

Courtney Callender Playground

130th and 5th Avenue

Playgrounds like Courtney Callendar are the reason the girls and I love park hopping so much.  We’re walking down the street, trying to spot the next set of monkey bars when bam!, an awesome playground comes out of nowhere.  Courtney Callendar has all the classics plus some awesome new features.  The first thing the girls and I noticed were the mini picnic tables.  Kids love anything built for their size, and something as simple as a table is no exception.  Next, the sprinkler shoots out water at least 10 feet in the air and onto a hand-painted map of the world.  The girls and I had a blast “traveling the world” through the “thunderstorm.”  I shouted out a continent and the girls would have to run to it, tons of fun.  The jungle gym itself is also worth mentioning.  Equipped with the “running ramps” I love, it also has a wide open gazebo area and a reverse-rockwall.  Overall, this playground is cheerful, pleasant, and really fun!!

Highlights

• Mini Picnic Tables! • Gigantic Sprinkler

Lowlights

• Multiple Entrances

What It’s Got

•  4 Swings • 2 Baby Swings • Chess Tables • Mini Picnic Tables • 3 Slides • Big Jungle Gym (with a long ramp) • Climbing Wall • Gymnast Rings (easy to grab from the climbing wall) • Tic-Tac-Toe • Awesome Sprinklers (with globe ground) • Basketball • Handball • Trashcans • Hard-Rubber Tile/Pavement

What Parents/Nannies Should Know

• 2 Entrances • Benches along edges

Nearby

• Bathrooms across the stree at P.S 133 (also they serve free lunches for kids under 18 during the summer)

Ratings: (Out of 5)

Sarah: 

Lexi: 

"I really like that kid's table. And the climbing wall."

Annie:  X 28

"I'm going to Antafrica!"

St.Nicholas Park (129th and St. Nicholas Terrace)

129th and St. Nicholas Terrace

Located on top of the hill of St. Nicholas Park, this playground is a hidden and peaceful haven for kids.  Surrounded mostly by neighborhood and park, the lack of street noise and traveling pedestrians lets me worry less about the outside world and more about who is going to be “it” first in tag.  The three sprinkler frogs are painted in primary colors and because it was so sunny they created a rainbow.  The jungle gym is large enough for kids to run around but small enough that I can see wherever they go.  My only problem with the park is the multiple entrances and the steps leading down to the basketball court.  With no fence/gate, a set of steps turns into a big worry for me and my running kids.

Highlights

• Frog Sprinklers • Quiet

Lowlights

• Multiple Entrances • Hard-Rubber Tile (old and curling)

What It’s Got

• 3 Frog Sprinklers • Basketball Court (at bottom of steps) • Large Jungle Gym • Hopscotch • Handball Court • 4 Baby Swings • Monkey Bars • Gymnast Rings • Musical Note Levers • Tunnel • 2 Slides • 1 Trashcan • Water Fountain • Hard-Rubber Tile (old and curling)

What Parents/Nannies Should Know

•  Plenty of Benches • 80% Shade • Bathrooms Inside Park • Multiple Entrances

Nearby

• The City College of New York • Apollo Theater

Ratings:

Sarah: 

Lexi: 
"It's nice and quiet and lots of shade."

Annie:  X 28
"I like those frogs."

St. Nicholas Park South

127th-129th and 7th Avenue (Adam Clayton Powell)

St. Nicholas Park South seems to be the neighborhood hang out for kids and adults alike.  We went around lunchtime and there were a lot of families unpacking coolers full of food.  The girls had a lot of fun because unlike the last playground (the terribly dirty St. Nicholas North) there were other children here to play with.  I especially liked the colorful hopscotch board (is that what you call it?).  Annie and I had a good time throwing a penny on a number and then hopping over the spaces.  We even tried hopscotching backwards!  My biggest problem with this park is the litter.  Although not nearly as bad as other playgrounds, I still strongly disapprove when I see Smirnoff Ice caps next to the swings. 

Highlights

• Hopscotch  • Wide Open Space

Lowlights

•  Some Litter • Multiple Entrances

What It’s Got

• Jungle Gym • 1 Slide • Monkey Bars • Firepole • Shower Sprinkler • 2 Hopscotch • 8 Baby Swings • 6 Swings • Trashcans • Hard-Rubber Tile/Pavement

What Parents/Nannies Should Know

• Multiple Entrances • Only the swings are shaded • Bathrooms inside park (**Bathrooms have no doors) • Benches around edges • Some Litter

Ratings: (out of 5)

Sarah: 

Lexi: 

"What kind of bathrooms don't have doors??"

Annie:  X 28

"Hopscotchin' is fun because you hop with one foot and then the other."

St. Nicholas Playground North

130th and 7th Avenue

Sigh.  There’s nothing worse than finding a terrible park.  Except maybe when that park has such awesome pull-up bars.  I’m talking tons of different levels for kids to climb, hang, and swing from.  But we didn’t stay at this playground for more that 5 minutes because the whole thing was covered in litter.  I’m so saddened to see a children’s play area trashed with old beer bottles and Sun Chips wrappers. 

Highlights

• Awesome Pull-Up Bar Section

Lowlights

• VERY Dirty

What It’s Got

• Baby Swings • Swings • 2 Jungle Gyms • 2 Slides • Various Level Pull-Up Bars • Basketball Court • Monkey Bars • Non-Working Sprinkler • Hard-Rubber Tile/Pavement

What Parents/Nannies Should Know

• Multiple Entrances • Locked Bathrooms • ¼ Shaded • Benches Surrounding Park • VERY DIRTY

Ratings: (Out of 5)

Sarah:  

Lexi: 

"Ew this trash is gross."

Annie: 

"I like all those bars."