We have so many good parks and playgrounds, but how to stay on top of their incredible array of fun (and usually free) offerings for families? First, check out the City Parks Foundation’s programming (there are arts, education and sports programs for kids, not to mention the great SummerStage Family Day and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, now playing the fairy tale mash-up "Three"). —
The NYC Parks Dept keeps a full calendar of activities as well (including a free family camping program operating in parks in all five boroughs) and even offers a helpful list of parks with spray showers for those sweltering summer days.
Also, most of the major parks (or their conservancies) have good websites with helpful event listings. A few examples with lots of great family programming: Madison Square Park; Brooklyn Bridge Park, Battery Park, Prospect Park, Riverside Park and of course Central Park.
Finally, there is us: We’re not done yet, but we’ve started putting together "ultimate family guides" to our major parks, including Central, Hudson River Park, and most recently, Brooklyn Bridge Park. One more thing: here’s a bit about the best new destination playground in the city for for infants to tweens–worth a visit.
