Your Guide to Playgrounds in Staten Island and Nearby NJ
As the weather warms up, kids will want to play outdoors in the fresh spring air. And what better place to play than at a neighborhood playground in Staten Island? Playgrounds are wonderful places for children to play and be active. NYC Parks playgrounds are dotted throughout Staten Island. Whether you live on the North or South Shore, you’re sure to have a playground nearby. Playgrounds in our borough offer lots of activities and equipment, athletic fields, courts, game tables, and benches for kids of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
According to experts, playgrounds are not only fun for kids to use but also provide wonderful health benefits for them. Dr. Carol Stillman, PT, DPT, PHC, a physical therapist certified in pelvic health, aquatics, and wellness and owner of Sutton Place Physical and Aquatic Therapy in Manhattan, says play equipment targets strengthening, balance, motor planning, endurance, and vestibular function.
“The playground is an exciting place for most children that is both fun and crucial to the development of fine and gross motor skills,” Stillman says. “For example, swings work on core strength and postural control, both on the child and the person pushing the swing!”
Being in nature and outdoors can be therapeutic, so the mental health benefits that playgrounds provide for kids are worth noting, too.
“A change of setting is always a good idea, but playing outside at the playground is great for social and emotional health,” Stillman says. “It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem as they master challenging playground structures, and the playground allows kids to retain a sense of control unavailable in many other parts of their lives. Playing outside also teaches kids how to deal with challenges in a healthy way.”
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Playgrounds in Staten Island and New Jersey
Browse our guide to the NYC Parks playgrounds in Staten Island and a few playgrounds that are worth the trip to areas in nearby New Jersey. Most of these playgrounds are wheelchair accessible and have inclusive play elements designed for children with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensory processing disorders. These elements include ramps and transfer stations for children with mobility issues, sensory gardens and quiet spaces. We’ve noted in the guide which NYC playgrounds are wheelchair accessible and offer inclusive play elements.
NYC Parks playgrounds are generally open 6am-9pm, while parks are open 6am-10pm or 1am. Park hours can vary, so it’s best to check signs at entrances for posted hours. Visit the NYC Parks website to learn more about each playground, especially if you have questions about accessibility, amenities, restrooms or rules and policies.
Playgrounds in Staten Island: North Shore
Arrochar Playground
Sand Lane, Major Avenue, and McFarland Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located next to P.S. 39, Arrochar Playground has swings, a play unit for toddlers, and a larger one for kids ages 5-12. It is a great place to play soccer and basketball.
Austin J. McDonald Playground
Forest Ave., Myrtle Ave., Broadway, N. Burgher Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Amenities include basketball and handball courts, play areas for toddlers and older children, and more.
Bobbie Lewis, Jr. Playground
Harbor Road at Richmond Terrace
Wheelchair accessible
Inclusive play elements
Formerly the Mariners Harbor Playground, the site was renamed in 2021 to honor Bobbie Lewis, Jr., a local athlete and youth mentor who was struck and killed by a vehicle in his neighborhood. The playground has play equipment, basketball courts, and more.
Christopher J. Igneri Playground
Schmidts Lane, Manor Road, Laguardia Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The park offers basketball and handball courts. Spray showers on site.
Clove Lakes Park Playground
Clove Road and Cheshire Place
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground is located in Clove Lakes Park, one of Staten Island’s most popular parks.
Corporal Thompson Playground
Broadway, Wayne St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground is located in Cpl. Thompson Park, which has baseball and football fields, and an outdoor pool.
Davis Playground
Jersey St., Crescent Ave., Layton Ave., Beechwood Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named after William T. Davis, a local historian and early advocate of the Staten Island Park System, this playground has a wide asphalt area, a basketball court, and benches.
De Matti Park
Tompkins Ave. between Chestnut St. and Shaughnessy Lane
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
De Matti Park is one of nine playgrounds that NYC Parks built through a war memorial fund. It features baseball fields, basketball courts, spray showers, and more.
Faber Pool and Park
Richmond Terrace to Kill Van Kull, Faber St.
Inclusive play elements
Limited wheelchair access
This North Shore park includes playgrounds, courts, a skate park, and an outdoor pool.
Jennifer’s Playground
Jules Drive, Elson Court, Regis Court
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground is dedicated to Jennifer Schweiger of Westerleigh, who was abducted and murdered when she was 12 years old. The playground, named for Jennifer in 1997, was the first of its kind in Staten Island, designed to accommodate kids with special needs. It offers play equipment, game tables, sandboxes, sensory trails, gardens, a basketball court with adjustable baskets, and more.
Kaltenmeier Playground
Virginia Ave. and Anderson St.
Limited wheelchair access
One of the smaller parks on Staten Island, it offers play equipment and basketball courts.
Liotti Ikefugi Playground
Winter Ave., bet. Bismark and Westervelt Avenues
Limited wheelchair access
The playground honors the memory of Sergeant Carmine Liotti and Private First Class Lloyd Ikefugi, two Staten Islanders who died fighting for their country in World War II. The playground has play equipment and basketball courts.
Lopez Playground
Palma Drive bet. Targee St. and Oder Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground honors NYPD officer Luis Reynaldo Lopez, who was killed in the line of duty in 1993. The playground has play equipment, basketball courts, and more.
Lt. Lia Playground
Wall St. bet. St. Mark’s and Belmont Places
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named after Lieutenant Nicholas Lia, a Staten Islander killed while serving in Vietnam, this playground has play equipment, game tables, and more.
Mahoney Playground
Beechwood Ave., Crescent Ave., and Jersey St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Basketball and handball courts, play equipment, and more.
Markham Playground
Willowbrook Parkway, Forest Ave., Houston St.
Wheelchair accessible
The playground has a play area, baseball fields, basketball and bocce courts, and more.
Naples Playground
Targee St., Stanwich St., and Rome Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Play equipment, baseball fields, basketball courts, and handball courts.
Old Town Playground
Parkinson Ave. at Kramer St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
There are large open fields here for baseball, soccer, and other sports.
Playland Playground
Father Capodanno Blvd.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground is located at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach.
Prall Playground
Elizabeth St., Forest Ave., Broadway, Clove Lake Place
Limited wheelchair access
The centerpiece of this park is Lt. Charles Margiotta Field, a synthetic turf field named after a firefighter who passed away at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Other features of the playground include basketball courts, handball courts, and more.
Rev. Dr. Maggie Howard Playground
Tompkins Ave. Broad and Hill Streets
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground has baseball fields, basketball courts, handball courts, an outdoor pool and play equipment.
Saturn Play Equipment
Clove Road, Forest Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in Clove Lakes Park.
Silver Lake Park Playground
University Place and Revere St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in Silver Lake Park, which also has baseball fields, basketball courts, a golf course, tennis courts and more.
Silver Lake Park Tot Lot
Victory Blvd., south of Forest Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in Silver Lake Park.
Skyline Playground
Arnold St. to Prospect Ave. between Harvard Ave. and Clyde Place.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground includes bocce and tennis courts.
Sobel Court Park
Bowen St., Vanderbilt Ave., and Targee St.
Wheelchair accessible
South Beach Playground
Father Capodanno Blvd. and Doty Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach.
Terrace Playground
Foote Ave., Howard Ave., Martha St., Clove Road
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground has play equipment, basketball courts, and handball courts.
The Big Park
Grandview Ave. at Continental Place
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Also known as Grandview Playground, the Big Park has play equipment, basketball courts and handball courts.
Walker Park
Delafield Place, Bard and Davis Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Limited wheelchair access
Walker Park is a popular place in NYC to play cricket. Staten Islanders play other sports here, too, including basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer and football. There is also a small playground and swings for toddlers.
John E. White Park
High St., Lyman Ave., Bay St., Summer St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in the town of Fort Wadsworth, the playground is named after Staten Island World War I veteran John Edward White. It features play equipment, spray showers, and more.
Playgrounds in Staten Island: Mid Island
Dongan Playground
Mason Ave. between Buel and Dongan Hills Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Dongan Playground has toddler swings and both low and high-play equipment for kids of all ages to enjoy. Basketball and handball courts, and football and soccer fields are on site.
General Douglas Macarthur Park
Dongan Hills Ave. and Jefferson St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Enjoy baseball fields, basketball and handball courts, and an outdoor pool at this park.
Greenbelt Recreation Center Playground
Brielle Ave., Rockland Ave., Walcott Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Play equipment, soccer fields, tennis courts, and more.
Levy Playground
Jewett and Castleton Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The park offers play equipment and basketball courts.
Midland Beach Playground
Bet. Graham Boulevard, Jefferson Ave., Father Capodanno Blvd.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach.
Midland Field
Midland, Mason, Bedford, Boundary Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Limited wheelchair access
Lots of areas to play baseball, football, handball, and other sports.
Midland Playground
Mason Ave. bet. Midland and Lincoln Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground has sensory-friendly spaces for children with ASD.
Schmul Park Playground
Wild Ave., Pearson St.
Wheelchair accessible
Located in Travis’ Schmul Park, the playground has lots of play equipment including swings, and baseball fields, basketball courts and handball courts nearby.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The Willowbrook Adventure Station is adjacent to the Carousel for All Children inside Willowbrook Park.
Playgrounds in Staten Island: South Shore
Aesop Park
Corner of Bartow and Page Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Limited wheelchair access
Bloomingdale Playground
Ramona and Lenevar Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in sprawling Bloomingdale Park, this neighborhood playground offers game tables and lots of features for children with sensory impairments.
Blue Heron Tot Lot
222 Poillon Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Blue Heron Park is a popular place to see wildlife and experience nature on Staten Island. Stop by the playground after strolling the park and taking in the views with your kids.
Clawson Playground
Adelaide Ave. and Clawson St.
Limited wheelchair access
Inclusive play elements
Offers baseball fields, basketball courts, and more.
Corporal Allan F. Kivlehan Park Playground
Cedar Grove Ave., New Dorp Lane, Neptune St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located off Staten Island’s shoreline in Great Kills Park
Crescent Beach Tot Lot
Armstrong Ave. and Tennyson Drive
Wheelchair accessible
Inclusive play elements
Drumgoole Tot Lot
Drumgoole Road W., Grantwood, Carlton, Rathbun Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named in honor of Father John Drumgoole, the playground is designed for kids of all abilities, ages 2 to 5. It offers recreational equipment, swings, benches, and picnic tables.
E.M.T. Christopher J. Prescott Playground
Edith Ave., Irvington St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named after Christopher J. Prescott, the first NYC Emergency Medical Service worker to be killed in the line of duty, the playground was renovated recently to include inclusive amenities for children of all ages and abilities to use. Also, there are new paths, fences, concrete pavements and safety surfacing in the play area.
Gerard P. Dugan Playground
Mill Road to Weed Ave., bet. Tysens Lane and Isernia Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named after U.S. Marine and community activist, Gerard P. Dugan, the playground offers play equipment, baseball fields, basketball courts, and more.
Great Kills Veterans Playground
Hillcrest Ave. north of Highmount Road
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Has basketball courts and more.
Greencroft Playground
Greencroft Ave. bet. Ainsworth and Redgrave Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Baseball fields, basketball courts, and more.
Harris Brothers Park
Foster Road, Carlton Ave., Drumgoole Road W.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Ida Court
Drumgoole Road E., N. Railroad St., Ida Court
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The park offers play equipment and has a dog-friendly area.
Lemon Creek Playground
Seguine Avenue south of Hylan Boulevard
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
This quaint playground is located beachside in Lemon Creek Park.
Lenape Playground
Swinnerton St. and Billop Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Located in Conference House Park.
Lieutenant John H. Martinson Playground
Preston Ave. bet. Koch Blvd. and Osborne St.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
Named after FDNY Lieutenant John H. Martinson of Engine Company 249, who died in the line of duty in 2008, the playground has play equipment, basketball and handball courts, safety surfacing, benches and more.
Seaside Wildlife Nature Playground
Great Kills Harbor bet. Cleveland and Nelson Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Limited wheelchair access
Located harborside in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park, the playground is nautically themed. It features a lighthouse, a shark to climb on, and play units that resemble the Staten Island Ferry.
Tottenville Pool
Hylan Blvd. bet. Joline and Sprague Avenues
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessibility
In addition to its outdoor pool, the Tottenville Pool has a play area for kids, picnic tables and a seasonal concession stand.
Wolfe’s Pond Park Playground
End of Cornelia Ave. off Hylan Blvd.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
The playground is located in Wolfe’s Pond Park, a sprawling beachside park next to the Raritan Bay. In addition to the playground, the park has tennis courts, hiking trails, bicycling and greenways, dog-friendly areas and more.
Woodhull Playground
Drumgoole Road E. and Woodhull Ave.
Inclusive play elements
Wheelchair accessible
New Jersey Playgrounds
Regatta Playground
Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ
This fun playground is all about boats. It has a wave-like rubberized safety surface and lots of play equipment designed to look like boats! It’s also located near the Clipper Pavilion picnic area and paddle-boat launch that offers more family fun.
Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ
It’s worth the drive to Bergen County to spend the day at this sprawling park that spans over 130 acres. One of the main highlights of the park is the ADA-accessible Harmony Playground, complete with a water sprinkler feature that is open seasonally. The park also offers tennis courts, athletic fields and catch-and-release fishing. Take a ride on the Millennium Carousel and visit the Bergen County Zoo to round out your day of fun!
Prehistoric Playground at the Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ
As if a trip to the Turtle Back Zoo wasn’t enough fun, there’s also this amazing on-site playground that kids love. It features—you guessed it—lots of oversized dinos and climbing structures for kids to enjoy. Just keep in mind it’s closed during the winter and inclement weather.
Kid Street Playground
700 Garretson Rd., Bridgewater
This playground is a local favorite in beautiful Bridgewater, NJ. It’s a great treat for the kids after a day of shopping in the nearby Bridgewater Commons. The playground is part of Slattery Park, which has a zip line!
Challenger Place at Dorbrook Recreation Area
353 County Rd. 537, Colts Neck, NJ
Dorbrook Recreation Area is packed with amenities for families to enjoy. The area includes Challenger Place, a playground that is accessible for children of all abilities. It features elevated surfaces that are accessible to those in wheelchairs and Braille signs for individuals who are visually impaired. The playground provides an opportunity for children of all abilities to play together and have fun.
Dennis P. Collins Park
1 W. 1st St., Bayonne, NJ
This beautiful park features playgrounds, basketball courts, baseball fields, a spray park, bocce court, Veterans Memorials, and more.
