17 Accessible Playgrounds in NYC for Special Needs Kids
Submitted by Amy Meader on
There's certainly no shortage of wonderful playgrounds and parks in New York City. But when you add a child with special needs into the mix, the selection of truly great playgrounds suddenly seems much smaller. As a mom of a special needs child, I've explored quite a few of the city's playgrounds in search of the best accessible playgrounds for all children.
Happily, many of these accessible playgrounds in NYC meet or exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and there are literally hundreds of special needs-friendly playgrounds throughout NYC. Some also include accessible JennSwings, those big plastic swings that offer full-body positioning support for kids up to 125 pounds. Because the adaptive swing doesn't always appeal to my son, there need to be other attractions for a playground to be cool in his book.
I'm spotlighting 17 playgrounds I feel truly are the best for special needs kids. Not only are they accessible playgrounds (half the battle), they're fun for all ages, with and without special needs. Grab some sunblock, towels, sand toys, and running shoes and get exploring. Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC for more picks no matter your child's age or interest.