River Run Playground

River Run Playground is one of the most beloved children's playgrounds on the Upper West Side, nestled within Riverside Park near West 82nd Street. Spanning 30,900 square feet, it draws toddlers through elementary-aged kids with a remarkable set of features rarely found elsewhere in the city.

The playground's signature attraction is its water runnel — a flowing channel that starts at a spray fountain atop a small hill and winds its way down to a large sandbox at the base. In summer, children float paper and plastic boats along the channel, making it a genuinely magical play experience. The sandbox itself is no ordinary sandbox: it was designed and built by local sculptor Gerry Augustine Lynas over 40 years ago and is considered a rare piece of public art. Additional equipment includes climbing structures, swings, decorative animal statues, boulders for climbing just outside the fence, and what may be the last remaining seesaw in the entire NYC Parks system.

A $9.8 million renovation received unanimous preliminary approval from the NYC Public Design Commission in February 2026. The redesign will create distinct play zones for ages 2–5 and 5–12, add ADA-compliant ramps and accessible play features, and preserve the water runnel, the sculptural sandbox, and the historic Robert Moses-era decorative steel entrance gate. Check with NYC Parks or the Riverside Park Conservancy for current open/closed status before visiting, as construction timing has not been confirmed.