Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. All opinions expressed are our own.
-Deirdre Costello
When you have little kids and you can finally get out from hibernation, where do you go? Do you run errands and then stop at a local playscapes for your little one to run off some energy? Do you meet up with a friend for lunch and hit up the local zoo? Where can your playgroup or Moms group go to switch up their weekly routine?
Please keep in mind that some parks have strict residency requirements that must be adhered to. Please check the parks and recreations departments if you are unsure. As always, be courteous of the space and clean up after yourselves so that we can keep these areas nice.
Parks and Playgrounds
Kings Park
Kings Hwy. Congers, NY 10920
(845) 639-6200
Ball fields, playground with infant swings, ice skating, basketball courts.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk
Tennyson Park
Tennyson Dr. Nanuet, NY 10954
(845) 639-6200
Ball field, playground, basketball courts.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Eugene Levy Memorial Park
920 Rte-45 Pomona, NY 10970
(845) 357-6100
Children’s playground, nature area, jogging/walking paths, exercise trail, handball courts, and bathrooms.
Tigers Den Park
Rose Ave. Spring Valley, NY 10977
(718) 367-1010
A playground, with basketball and volleyball courts.
Emeline Park
Main St. Haverstraw, NY 10927
(845) 429-0300
Playground, gazebo, walking path, picnicking, fishing, and a gorgeous view of the haverstraw bay.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Haverstraw Bay Park
21 Gagan Rd. Haverstraw, NY 10927
(845) 364-2670
Right on the water in Haverstraw, several playgrounds for all ages, a gazebo, picnic areas, walking trail, fishing, the September 11th memorial and bathrooms.
Nyack Memorial Park
53 Piermont Ave. Nyack, NY 10960
On the shores of the Hudson and within walking distance from the downtown Nyack area, with children’s playground, gazebo, tennis courts, butterfly garden, small watercraft launch. Hosts several special events throughout the summer.
Germonds Park
Germonds Rd.West Nyack, NY 10994 (All the way up the hill above the pool club)
Playground for ages 2-5
Zukor Park
31 Zukor Road, New City, NY 10956
Fenced in area, with padded floor ( not mulch), infant swings, basketball courts, baseball fields, soccer fields.
Veteran’s Memorial Park
81 Hunt Rd Orangeburg, NY 10962
(845) 359-6503
Active park with athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, batting cages, jogging paths, two ponds, concession stand.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Independence Park
Independence Ave Orangeburg, NY 10962
(845) 359-6503
Independence Park has lighted tennis and basketball courts, playground and paths.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Greenbush Center
Greenbush Rd. Orangeburg, NY 10962
(845) 398-1000
Greenbush Center has a playground and open playfield.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Tappan Park
Oak Tree Rd. Tappan, NY 10983
(845) 359-6503
Ball field, children’s playground area.
Pilgrim Court Park
Pilgrim Ct. Pearl River, NY 10965
(845) 359-6503
Children’s play area, open play space, neighborhood park.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk
Highview Community Playground
24 Highview Ave,Nanuet, NY 10954
Known as the popular “Castle Park”. Newly updated with “trex-like” material. Fenced area with Infant swings, toddler area, handicapped swings, blacktop for riding bikes.
Hours: This park is also used by Highview Elementary, hours are after school and weekends.
Nature Parks (trails, hiking, picnic areas)
County Parks
Buttermilk Falls
S Greenbush Rd, Orangeburg, NY 10962
A path leads up to the falls, with several more paths leading to the top to lookout points. Great spot for young first time hikers. Leashed dogs allowed.
Demarest Kill Recreation Area
57 New Hempstead Road, New City
Hiking trails, fishing, nature path, picnic areas, no restrooms.
Dutch Gardens
37 South Main Street, New City
Walking paths, picnic areas, gardens, gazebo and a brick teahouse.
Mountainview Nature Park
Strawberry Hill Lane, West Nyack
Hiking trails. Leashed dogs allowed.
State Parks
Rockland Lake State Park
299 Rockland Lake Rd.Valley Cottage
3.2 mile paved path – non motorized bikes allowed. Fishing, golfing, hiking, tennis, boat launches, swimming pool, picnic areas, and nature trails.
Nyack Beach State Park
698 N. Broadway Upper Nyack
Hiking, fishing, biking, picnic areas. Launching kayaks and windsurfers from the beach is allow. Dogs allowed- must be on a 6 foot leash.
Hook Mountain State Park
663 N Broadway, Nyack
Hiking. Leashed pets allowed.
If you are up for an adventure and making it a day trip,
Here are some in New Jersey!
Playgrounds for the kiddos!
Overpeck Park
199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ.
Finch Park Creative Playground
Ramsey, NJ
Also a newer playground with a variety of structures for different ages levels to enjoy. It has a toddler area that looks like a pirate ship and a older age playground that looks like castle. A cool sandbox as well.Wyckoff Community Playground
Wyckoff, NJ
A very large playground with two structures for each age group. The playground is two-tiered for both the little ones and older kids. Really neat slides and enough shade for a rest from all the activities!
Haworth Memorial Park (aka Castle Park)
Haworth, NJ.
Very cool wooden castle playground. It has been around for a long time and built with real wood. Areas for older and younger kids. This park has lots of shade cover. The ground is pebbles so be sure to have the kids in sneakers!
Van Saun Park
Paramus NJ
Van Saun Park is one of the largest playgrounds in the area. There are 4 different structures. It now includes an inclusive playground with handicap accessibility. There is also a fun large carousel and small pony rides available at this popular park. Across the parking lot is the Van Saun County Zoo where there are tons of animals to see and a train to ride! This park and zoo makes for a great day out!
Clark Field
Washington Twp, NJ
Oradell Kids Foundation Playground
Oradell, NJ
There is a huge play structure with rock walls, climbing structures and tube slides. There is also a toddler area. The toddler section has a tube slide, all just on a smaller scale.
Saddle River County Park
Otto C Pehle Area, Saddle Brook, NJ
Ross Dock Park
Fort Lee (Englewood), NJ
Large playground overlooking the Hudson River. The playground is full of climbing activities such as rings, rock walls, and chains. It is a great park for taking in the view and snaping some photos! It features picnic tables, restrooms and a refreshment stand, with drinks, snacks, ice cream, and picnic and barbecue supplies, (Open on weekends in the summer.) Great views of the George Washington Bridge!
Votee Park
Teaneck, NJ.
Huge and brand new inclusive playground with lots of ramps, musical keyboards, sign language interactive boards and even fire saftey tips for the kids to read and learn. The ground is made from a rubber square surface. Six full size swings, two toddler swings, and six handicap swings.
Nature Parks and Trails (some have playgrounds)
Ridgewood Duck Pond
Ridgewood, NJ
The park amenities include picnic areas, a playground and a dog park.
Great handicap playground and good for all ages.There are two structures that are suitable for all ages. Tons of climbing structures for both older and little tikes!
Saddle River County Park
Bicycle-Pedestrian Path: This bike and pedestrian path travels from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park (aprox. 6 miles long) The path is quite scenic. Ride or walk past a waterfall at Dunkerhook Park, or stop for a break at one of the three ponds. There are also tree shaded picnic areas, playgrounds and pavilions along the path.
Darlington Park
Mahwah, NJ
Playground for all ages and tennis and basketball courts. A walking, running or biking patch and picnic areas but you will have to bring your own grill. There is also a Wildlife Observation.
Dahnerts Lake County Park
Garfield, NJ
Lake with a center fountain. The play area is large with a two large structures for each age group. Lots of steep slides, bridges and mushroom caps!
