10 Playgrounds With Sprinklers Where Kids Can Cool Down This Summer
Yes, the world is your sprinkler on this rainy Thursday, but before you know it, we’ll be facing hot, sunny days, and there is something magical about running through a sprinkler when you’re a kid. As temps are on the rise, sprays are flowing at parks across the five boroughs. To help you figure out the best places for kids in our area to get their splash on, we’ve put together a list of ten sprinkler pads that are either in walking distance for those living in Ditmas Park or are easily accessible by public transportation.
Looking for something a little further out? You can check out NYC Park’s website for a gigantic list of sprinklers around the city.
Greenwood Playground (shown above)
Where: It’s walkable from parts, or you can take the B68 bus to Park Circle, and the playground is located on the corner of Ft Hamilton Parkway and E 5th Street.
What We Love: No water cannons or surprise geysers. Just a nice, old-school sprinkler spray.
Not So Great: The water area is great for the younger set, but you might discover that older kids will get a little bored.
Photo by Maria Frank
Harmony Playground
Where: Take the B68 bus to Bartel-Pritchard Square, then enter at 11th Street and Prospect Park West.
What We Love: The awesome harp shower. Make sure you have a few cups or buckets handy, and the kids will spend a ridiculous amount of time filling them up, dumping them, and repeating the process.
Not So Great: The water areas of Harmony, which include the harp and the misting sprays that are located across from the toddler play area, are pretty far apart. You might want to consider teaming up with another adult if you’ve got more than one kiddo running around.
Photo by Brooklyn Mini Hands
Imagination Playground
Where: Another one to walk to, or take the Q to Parkside Ave, and it’s near Ocean Avenue between the Parkside Ave and Lincoln Road entrances.
What We Love: It’s cool and shady (something that’s going to become increasingly important as the temps keep rising) and there’s a water-squirting dragon. We’ve named him George.
Not So Great: The dragon isn’t huge, and we’ve seen him get pretty bogged down with climbing kids. You’ll want to keep a close eye on your smaller splashers to make sure they’re not accidentally squished.
Photo by Brooklyn Mini Hands
J.J. Byrne
Where: Take the Q to the R to 4th/9th, then it’s on 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets.
What We Love: Just about everything. There are a number of different spray sequences that blast up from the ground, a small wading area, water cannons for the older kids, and plenty of places for parents to sit on the rocks surrounding the water area.
Not So Great: It can get REALLY crowded, especially on the weekends. Dress the kids in something bright and you’ll have an easier time finding them in the masses.
Park Slope Playground (Lincoln-Berkeley)
Where: Take the B/Q to 7th Ave, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the park between Lincoln Place and Berkeley Place and between 5th and 6th Avenues.
What We Love: Another simple neighborhood spray pad, similar to the one at Greenwood Playground, and is a great place to stop and reward the youngsters for being such angels while you were taking in some of the shops on 5th Avenue.
Not So Great: You’ll want to watch out for speeding kids, because the spray area is right in the middle of a popular scooter spot.
Photo by NYC Parks
Pier 6 Water Lab (Brooklyn Bridge Park)
Where: Take the Q to the 3 to Clark St, then the Water Lab is located near the back of Pier 6, next to Sandbox Village, about a 10-minute walk.
What We Love: The Water Lab is truly the king of Brooklyn splash pads. The upper area is like a huge water table complete with spinning wheels, a giant drill looking thing, a water pump and sloped pooled that cascades down into the lower areas, which include a water jet field and babbling brook.
Not So Great: Gigantic crowds, a slippery staircase leading down to the water jet field, and several tall rock cliffs can make this area of Pier 6 a little intimidating for some visitors. That said, it is posted on the gate that the water lab is for ages 5-12, so if you’re in there with younger children (which a majority of the visitors are) just be very mindful that the space was not designed for the preschool set.
Sandbox Village next door also has a small spray area, and tends to be a bit less manic than the lab, but you’ll definitely want to rock the sunhat and sunscreen because it’s like the Sahara in there on a sunny day.
Lincoln Road Playground
Where: Walk, or take the B/Q Prospect Park, and it’s just inside the Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance to the park.
What We Love: THE FROGS! They’re too cute for words, and the kids think it’s an absolute hoot when they spit water. The playground’s location is also a huge plus if you spent the earlier part of the day at the Prospect Park Zoo, carousel, or Lefferts Historic House.
Not So Great: There’s not a lot of shade in the sprinkler area, so (in addition to sunscreen) you’ll want to make sure the kids have a hat.
Photo by NYC Frog Project
Sunset Park
Where: Take the Q to the R to 45th Street, or the B 35 to 39th St-5th Ave, and the park is located from 41st to 44th Streets, between 5th and 7th Avenues.
What We Love: Amazing views, a playground sun sprinkler that you should see in person at least once in your lifetime, and (starting on June 28) a huge spray area outside the pool (closer to the 7th Avenue end of the park).
Not So Great: The park can get really trashed out, but with the large spray zone and those views of the NYC skyline (did we mention that Sunset Park has amazing views), it’s worth a visit.
Photo by Alan Neuhauser
Third Street Playground
Where: The B/Q to 7th Ave or the B68 bus to Bartel-Pritchard Sq will both leave you about a 15-minute walk from the playground at 3rd Street and Prospect Park West.
What We Love: We love, love, love the big red kid wash! There is also a smaller sprinkler area for little kids over by the sandbox.
Not So Great: Although it’s nothing like what the playground experienced on June 8, the overflow from the sprinklers has a tendency to pool up in certain areas causing several large and muddy lakes.
Vanderbilt Playground
Where: Walk, or hop on the B68 bus to Vanderbilt Street and Prospect Park Southwest.
What We Love: The modern water sculptures. Very. Very. Cool.
Not So Great: There is a cement ditch filled with sprinkler runoff that cuts through the middle of the playground. We’ve seen many a running tot get tripped up as they cross paths with the ditch, so you might want to bring a couple of bandages…just in case.
Photo by Brooklyn Mini Hands
Did we miss a favorite? Share your go-to sprinkler destinations in the comments below.