About
play:groundNYC is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the city through play. The program runs an adventure playground called The Yard, where young people engage in open-ended play supported by playworkers. 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 everyone can be their most authentic selves.
• Schedule: THE YARD is open to the public for free on the weekends, and is open during the week for camps, field trips, professional development, and family programming.
• Price: THE YARD is open to the public for free on the weekends.
play:groundNYC is celebrating its 10th year on Governors Island. The organization states that all young people, regardless of their race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, abilities or disabilities, deserve access to spaces where they can fully engage in play. play:groundNYC provides professional development, school programming, and training for a new generation of playworkers, and is reimagining the urban environment as a place for all children to play, create, and explore. Its programming is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. DOE educators, Bank Street Graduate College of Education, Sarah Lawrence College’s Child Development Institute, and other partners have joined play:groundNYC in learning about playwork and bringing play into schools, and the organization partners with community organizations in diverse neighborhoods across New York City. One Manhattan festival and open street organizer in 2022 described a play:groundNYC area as being “turned into a colorful cardboard fantasy.” A young participant in 2024 said, “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.” A Google Review from 2025 stated, “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 May 29, 2026.
• Schedule: THE YARD is open to the public for free on the weekends, and is open during the week for camps, field trips, professional development, and family programming.
• Price: THE YARD is open to the public for free on the weekends.
play:groundNYC is celebrating its 10th year on Governors Island. The organization states that all young people, regardless of their race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, abilities or disabilities, deserve access to spaces where they can fully engage in play. play:groundNYC provides professional development, school programming, and training for a new generation of playworkers, and is reimagining the urban environment as a place for all children to play, create, and explore. Its programming is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. DOE educators, Bank Street Graduate College of Education, Sarah Lawrence College’s Child Development Institute, and other partners have joined play:groundNYC in learning about playwork and bringing play into schools, and the organization partners with community organizations in diverse neighborhoods across New York City. One Manhattan festival and open street organizer in 2022 described a play:groundNYC area as being “turned into a colorful cardboard fantasy.” A young participant in 2024 said, “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.” A Google Review from 2025 stated, “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 May 29, 2026.
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