By: Cynthia Litman
One of the many things I love about New York City is that no matter how many times I walk her streets, she’s always surprises me. Even native New Yorkers are perpetual tourists.
Such was the feeling when heading down to the lower tip of Manhattan to the South Street Seaport on Pier 17. Memories flooded to visiting there with my parents. While much remained the same, the pier, the “pirate” ships, tourists, much has changed.
On a 90 degree summer’s day, I arrived with my children amidst waves of families and tourists. I braced for the waft of the fish odor from the Fulton market but did not sense any of that like I did in the past. Alas, that market has sailed on.
We strolled up the cobble stones of Fulton Street to the Seaport Museum. Once upon a time, the Seaport area was under water and ships would slip in. We now stood upon “Burling Slip” and were about to discover the Seaport’s newest addition.
Preservation
The Seaport is historic and filled with landmarks. Yet, somehow, a new park was conceived, approved and integrated into Burling slip.
The Imagination Playground was conceived in connection with the New York Park’s Department and according to Joan McKeith of the Rockewell Group, “the historic context of Burling Slip as a boat slip, and the landscape of the South Street Seaport was a huge influence on the design of Imagination Playground.”
Designed by the Rockwell Group (designed Nobu & W Hotel/Union Square) in conjunction with Kaboom! (a national non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together business and community interests to build playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields, etc. across North America), the Imagination Playground is branded as a “different kind of park”. A playground for free and unstructured ‘loose play’ where children utilize their fine motor skills and change their environment rather than the traditional mainstay’s of a “fixed” playground (think bolted slides, swings and monkey bars).
David Rockwell, a father of 2, wanted something different. A place where “imagination is more important than knowledge” (Einstein). Mission accomplished.
Ship Shape.
On first view you recognize the difference.
The Playground’s entrance boasts two painted nautical steel bollards. The park itself resembles a ship. Instead of grass, there’s wood to conjure the deck of the ships of ole and Pier 17. Not just regular wood, but teak wood planks reclaimed from historic piers and ship decks. Joan added that “the decorative cast iron and black metalwork fence were chosen to mirror the materials utilized in the historic landmark district.”
It’s fun to discover the other ship like elements featured in the Playground, including a red steel tower replete with Crow’s Nest where children can climb up to the lookout point; “three traditional sail masts raised above the sandpit crafted in clear Douglas fir with two double-pulley systems and wheel cranks that allow children to work together to load and move the canvas bags from mast to mast”; barrels, burlap bags, and of course the outside railing which is adorned by a (friendly) Sea Serpent.
Ahoy Mates
The Imagination Playground is not a park for neurotic parents, unless, you are willing to bite the bullet. The Playground is perfect for adventurous parents and children with active imaginations. There is much to discover and explore and your kids may need a few moments to get their bearings.
Safety Nets
Instead of swings there are slings. Little hammocks that cocoon the children like the tree leaves of the Home Tree in Pandora (Avatar). On our first visit, my kids loved the sandy beach and the slide.
Speaking of the slide, you need to go all the way around and up the elevated ramp to get to the slide entrance, so again, neurotic parent, you will not be able to lead your kid up then hop down the stairs to meet them at the bottom. You’ll have to stay either up on the ramp or down below and keep a lookout.
To be above board, another safety concern I had was that there is only one gate open at a time, which while great to know that the area is contained but in case of an emergency would trap the people in. Also, that one gate was usually open. So keep an eye on your child so they don’t abandon ship.
Sea Foam
Below Deck
There are three ramps in the park. Below the elevated ramp there are mini stowaway areas and ledges in the sandpit. These areas were shaded and perfect for children to create their own fantasy play worlds. My children and I loved this shaded hideaway area and digging our feet into the cool sand.
Ship Mates
Pool on Deck
While there are umbrellas and tables, what’s missing is shade, although not an authentic sea like detail and I could’ve grabbed some loose fabric and fashioned my own tent, there are plans to plant trees along the perimeter of the park.
There is an ankle deep pool towards the sea side of the park which seemed more like a mimic of the modern day cruise ship than an good old fashioned pirate ship. Bring your bathing suits. The kids in the pool were having a blast experimenting with the blue Styrofoam pieces to creating flotation devices and waterfalls. My son constructed his own pirate ship.
No one was bailing out.
Expansion
When you’ve got a good thing going, take it national. There are currently 90 “Imagination” parks nationwide with more being created. They have what they call “a park in a box” peppered throughout the city which mainly contain of a big box with the blue foam loose parts.
The Imagination Playground is a new kind of park indeed.
New York City’s Seaport still brings a world of adventure to its visitors and is always a welcoming playground. My kids will one day bring their kids one day where sure enough it will once again be re-imagined, exciting and new!
Bon voyage.
Thank you Joan and to our captain for the day, Barry Richards.
Resources:
