Pier 26 Science Playground, Hudson River Park

North Moore St. & West St.

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Pier 26 Science Playground at Hudson River Park invites kids to climb on top of and inside two massive Sturgeon fish in one of NYC’s most colorful and educational playgrounds. Located along the Hudson River estuary, this bright and compact playground combines hands-on play with interactive learning about the river’s ecosystem, marine life, and surrounding environment. Unlike most NYC playgrounds, Pier 26 Science Playground blends fun, nature, and education into one unique waterfront experience in Tribeca.

The playground has maximal decoration, surrounded by tall green reeds with nets to climb, fish eggs to hop across, and river life such as oysters, fish and starfish hiding about. A shrimp provides a misting of water in hot weather.

The main attraction is the two separate sturgeons, where kids climb into and through the skeleton and organs of the fish with climbing ropes, footholds and nets. The best way out of these fish is through tube slides. Climbing is encouraged on the outside and to the top of the fish as well, with footholds and handholds to help. At the same time, the blue fish is also wheelchair accessible, with a wide ground-level entrance and handles inside to help those with limited mobility.

Fish facts are engraved on the bodies of the fish, and the painted fish anatomy is labeled. These facts along with the immersive riverbed environment provide an educational twist to this playground. But the playground is often crowded, so it may be difficult to find a moment to show your kids these features. The playground ties into the Hudson River Park River Project which conducts research and provides educational programming about the river ecosystem.

What’s More? Near the playground, check out the skateboard park or kick a ball on the turf field. In good weather and/or seasonally, there is mini-golf (year-round, nominal fee) and beach volleyball courts (for pre-teens and older). Steps away is the Pier 25 playground, which is much larger and has more traditional climbing equipment, lots of swings, and one of the biggest splash pads around.

Fun Fact: This is one of five playgrounds within the Hudson River Park, a four-mile-long recreation space on the river, that little more than twenty years ago was merely decaying piers and parking lots. It is separate from the New York City Park’s Department and receives no government funding for its operations. The Hudson River Park Playground Committee raises money and advocates specifically for the benefit of children’s spaces and activities within the Park.

Visibility/Safety? The playground floor surface is soft and cushioned. The gates stay closed. You could lose sight of your kids as they run around the big structures and you won’t know what they are up to when they are inside the fish.

Bathroom Emergency? There are well-maintained public restrooms with a changing table just outside the main gate of the playground.

Snack Time/Coffee Break? You’ll find fast-food snack options (seasonally) at the two snack bars on the pier. For a sit-down meal or a snack with a glass of wine, City Vineyard is a short walk away on the next pier. There you will find kid-friendly outdoor seating and some food options with universal kid-appeal, but it’s not your typical post-playground stop. It may be best to pick up your healthy snacks and coffee in Tribeca before you cross over the highway to Hudson River Park.

Features: Slides, special climbing features, water spay, nearby coffee and snacks.

The bottom line: Science Playground at Hudson River Park is one of NYC's most original playgrounds. Climbing inside a giant fish is exactly as fun as it sounds, and the Hudson River setting makes it feel like a destination rather than just a pit stop. Pair it with Pier 25 next door and you have got a solid half-day out.

Gianna Abruzzo is EatPlayExplore's playground correspondent and the person who knows Manhattan's parks better than anyone. Brooklyn-born and mother of three, she has raised her girls on these playgrounds and spent years championing the parks that make this city liveable. She created a collection of embroidered iron-on patches to celebrate them. Shop her patches here and follow her on Instagram.