Pier 42 Upland Park, Lower East Side

Catch a glimpse of Pier 42 Upland Park from the FDR and you will want to pull over immediately. Pier 42 Upland Park is a bright, ambitious new playground perched right on the East River. Getting here takes a little effort, but it's worth it.

For big kids there is a tall structure that can be accessed by stairs, a bridge, and various vertical challenges. From high on top of the platform there are great views across, up and down the East River. There is a very tall tube slide and a triple-wide slightly shorter slide to get you back down. There’s a separate medium-height spider web climber and also wall with rock climbing footholds.

A turf hill, swings (two baby swings and one for big kids), and a water play area come next. The water sprays feature sea lions basking in the sun and other metal sea creatures on the rocks.

For little kids there is a smaller play structure to climb over, through, and slide down, plus an igloo-like structure to play inside and a spinning seat.

Pier 42 is a great addition for families who live nearby. It’s not very convenient for visitors, however, because it is somewhat isolated from transportation and other services. It’s’ a 10 minute walk from the nearest bus stop, however you can commute to the playground via ferry! (Corlears Hook stop on the East River Ferry). There are bathrooms with changing tables on site.

Snack Time/Coffee Break: There are no shops or cafes close by. And while there are benches, there is no tree cover or shade.

Visibility/Safety: The playground is gated. The play area is long and narrow with multiple levels so it is not possible to keep track of multiple kids in different areas at the same time.

What’s More: What had been an industrial warehouse and parking lot was converted into this playground and multi-use recreation area, built on a platform over the East River and completed in 2024. There’s a turf soccer field, tennis courts, basketball half courts, and fitness equipment. It’s about a 15 minute walk to another featured playground, Sol Lain Playground.

The bottom line: Pier 42 Upland Park is a worthwhile destination for families who live nearby — the playground is genuinely impressive, the East River views are a bonus, and the sports facilities make it a full afternoon out. It's a harder sell for visitors, but the East River Ferry makes the trip doable if you're up for the adventure.

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.