Vesuvio Playground

Vesuvio Playground is a full-block, 0.64-acre neighborhood park located on Thompson Street between Spring and Prince Streets in Greenwich Village/SoHo. One of lower Manhattan's most beloved community spaces, it offers something for every age group — from a free seasonal three-foot-deep outdoor mini-pool and spray shower for young children to basketball, handball, and bocce courts for older kids and adults.

The playground features climbing structures and swing sets with padded rubber surfacing, sandboxes, chess and checkers tables, picnic tables, and accessible drinking fountains. The park is fully wheelchair accessible with ramps, mobility transfer systems, and accessible water play features. A public restroom with a changing table is located within the playground. The outdoor pool is open seasonally through Labor Day weekend, staffed by a lifeguard, and is reserved for children and their caregivers — adults must wear a bathing suit to enter the pool area, and no floaties are allowed.

Originally called Thompson Street Playground, the park was renamed in honor of the Vesuvio Bakery on Prince Street, owned by beloved community leader Anthony Dapolito. A $2.9 million renovation was completed in 2007.