Manhattan’s Pier 26 is now officially home to a brand new 4,000-square-foot marine-science-focused playground that gives kids the chance to both have fun and learn at the same time.
The Hudson River Park Trust first broke ground on the new playground in December 2022, and the Pier 26 Science Play Area is now Hudson River Park’s fifth children’s play area.
Designed by award-winning firm OLIN and managed by Gilbane Building Company, the playground is entirely science-focused, offering kids a space to not only play but also be inspired by and learn about marine wildlife and the Hudson River Habitat.
Children can climb inside interactive sculptural elements–such as play structures shaped as the two endangered sturgeon species that are native to the Hudson River–and explore fish “anatomy” while interacting with other marine-oriented play features.
Trees, plants, climbing nets, and various other engaging play features have also been planted and installed throughout the park.
The multi-purpose park also serves as an outdoor extension for environmental programming planned for the future Hudson River Estuarium, and will complement the ecology-focused Pier 26.
Located at North Moore Street in Hudson River Park, the play area sits next to the Hudson River Estuariuam.