The Yard is New York City's only adventure playground, a sprawling ~20,000 sq ft outdoor space on Governors Island operated by the nonprofit play:groundNYC. Kids ages 5–19 roam freely among tires, wood planks, rope, tools, and other loose materials — building, climbing, zip-lining, painting, and inventing whatever they want under the watch of trained playworkers. Parents and guardians wait outside the main play area while children run the show.
For younger children, a separate family-side area welcomes kids under 5 with a caregiver. The playground is free to enter — you just need to get to the island via ferry. Each child requires a signed waiver (available online in advance or at the entrance), and closed-toe shoes are required. A limited selection of loaner shoes is available on site.
The Yard is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, running from late March through mid-November. Governors Island is car-free and accessible by ferry from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan, or seasonally from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook on weekends. Ferry tickets are $5 round trip for adults; free for children 12 and under; and free for everyone on Saturdays and Sundays before 11 AM.
