About
play:groundNYC offers afterschool adventures at Adventure Play Club, Mini Camps on school days off, and week-long sessions of Summer Camp. The program also runs camps, field trips, family programming, play in public space, play in schools, and visits to its adventure playground, The Yard. In addition, play:groundNYC provides playwork training and professional development.
• Schedule: Week-long sessions of Summer Camp
play:groundNYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the city through play. Its playworkers support children’s play at The Yard and through partnerships with community organizations in diverse neighborhoods across New York City. The organization is dedicated to producing spaces for young people to feel safe in taking emotional, physical, and social risks in their play and is committed to promoting an inclusive environment where young people and staff can be their most authentic selves. play:groundNYC also focuses on training a new generation of playworkers and providing professional development and school programming.
play:groundNYC’s programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Testimonials about the program include: “The area was turned into a colorful cardboard fantasy” (Manhattan festival and open street organizer, 2022). One child shared, “I figured out that building is my happy place. I really like how I can run free and how the playworkers are always there to help and support you” (Jake, 2024). A Google Review from 2025 notes, “I have yet to see a kid leave unhappy from their play time at The Yard, you usually have to beg them to come out and remind them they need water to rehydrate.”
Last updated February 8, 2026.
• Schedule: Week-long sessions of Summer Camp
play:groundNYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the city through play. Its playworkers support children’s play at The Yard and through partnerships with community organizations in diverse neighborhoods across New York City. The organization is dedicated to producing spaces for young people to feel safe in taking emotional, physical, and social risks in their play and is committed to promoting an inclusive environment where young people and staff can be their most authentic selves. play:groundNYC also focuses on training a new generation of playworkers and providing professional development and school programming.
play:groundNYC’s programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Testimonials about the program include: “The area was turned into a colorful cardboard fantasy” (Manhattan festival and open street organizer, 2022). One child shared, “I figured out that building is my happy place. I really like how I can run free and how the playworkers are always there to help and support you” (Jake, 2024). A Google Review from 2025 notes, “I have yet to see a kid leave unhappy from their play time at The Yard, you usually have to beg them to come out and remind them they need water to rehydrate.”
Last updated February 8, 2026.
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