THE YARD WILL REOPEN MAY 1
SAFETY FIRST
The Yard, NYC’s only adventure playground located on Governors Island will open to the public. Safety protocols will be different this year due to the current conditions. We have highlighted the main points below but please read our SAFETY PROTOCOLS for more detailed explanation:
The Yard will be open from 12-4pm.
NO MORE THAN 35 kids at a time will be allowed in The Yard
Timed slots will be available on a first-come first-served basis at the gate
No children until 5 years old (sorry little ones!)
Masks will be required
Parents are encouraged to complete the waiver online prior to arrival and share with us the
confirmation code on their phones.
Kindness and patience are requested
What to Bring
Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are required on the adventure part of the play:ground because children are using tools like saws, hammers, nails and closed-toe shoes help protect children’s feet. We have a limited selection of loaner shoes on site.
Hours
At this time, the Yard will be open from 12-4 pm on select days. We are hoping with enough donations we will be able to open more dates
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Yard is a kids-only space in which we supply young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. Some tools provided are nails, hammers and saws, paint, tires, wood, fabrics and more. There are play:groundNYC trained playworkers in The Yard at all times. You can read more about The Yard here.
Waivers: Each child will need a separate waiver to participate in either adventure play or family play area. We recommend you fill out the waiver ONLINE HERE prior to your visit.
Waivers are also available at the entrance of play:groundNYC where one of our staff or volunteers is able to answer any questions you may have.
RECOMMENDED AGES
We do not allow parents into the The Yard. With the exception of the playworkers and the parents of kids with special needs, the adult-free space allows children to move freely on the site.
The main play area, staffed by playworkers, is recommended for ages 6 to 18 years old. At this time, we will only allow children 5 years and up.
Cost- FREE!
We want all kids to be able to play!
Your donations are critical to providing adventure play for free for children across the city. Donate to help keep The Yard open and accessible. We appreciate whatever you can provide.
Directions
From the Brooklyn Ferry turn right along the water. Take the second left turn and you will see The Yard on your right.
From the Manhattan Ferry walk up, turn left at the T junction. Once you pass the entrance to the Fort, turn right onto a path between houses and trees (Colonel’s Row). Walk straight until you reach The Yard.
You can find the Governors Island ferry schedules here
Large Groups
Large groups such as birthday parties and organized visits need to be prearranged with play:groundNYC. If you would like to visit The Yard with a group of five or more children, please submit an inquiry about scheduling a private party or session. We cannot accommodate visits from other summer day camps, sorry.
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