Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

Destination Playground: Ancient Playground in Central Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 08/08/2018 - 10:00am

Explore all the nooks and crannies of the unique water play area.

Originally built in 1936, the Ancient Playground on the Upper East Side may seem to have earned its moniker (according to our kids, anyway), but its name is really an homage to its proximity to the Egyptian galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, right across the street. The ancient-civilization-themed romping spot, packed with fun climbing structures and water features, is a popular playground for locals and tourists alike, cementing its place on our list of Central Park's top playgrounds.

Read on for more details on why this classic old gem of a playground, at 85th Street and Fifth Avenue, ranks among the city's best.

Destination Playground: Harlem's Riverbank State Park

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 07/25/2018 - 10:28am

Take a break from playing to enjoy the breathtaking views at Riverside State Park.

If you're looking for an escape from the city that costs nothing more than a MetroCard swipe, hop the bus to Denny Ferrell Riverbank State Park, one of a handful of state parks within New York City limits. Riverbank State Park occupies 28 acres on Manhattan's west side in Harlem, offering beautiful views and tons of options for outdoor fun. An afternoon here feels almost like an out-of-the-city day trip.

Whether you're in the mood for a dip in the pool, a run through the sprinklers, or a twirl around the rink in winter or summer, this complex has it all, plus plenty of reasonably priced classes, sports programs, and even an inexpensive summer camp.

Camp Cookie DŌ Serves up Cool Summer Treats with a Side of Nostalgia

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/06/2018 - 9:59am

Part ice cream, part cookie dough, "The Rule Breaker" is a creamy, indulgent treat.

The best cures for a summer heat wave: a spectacular splash pad, a dip in the local pool, and best of all, ice cream. Just in time for this sweltering summer, the folks behind the popular DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections have opened a summer-camp themed pop-up shop in Soho to serve up indulgent, nostalgic, super-cool treats.

New Mini Golf Course Set to Debut on Governors Island This Weekend

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 9:03am

A new 18-hole mini golf course opens June 23 on Governors Island.

Putt-putt lovers take note: A brand new, 18-hole mini golf course on Governors Island is set to debut Saturday, June 23, just in time for the Figment Art Festival this weekend.

Brought to life by the folks behind Adventures at Governors Island (which also introduced a zip line and climbing wall to Governors), the new miniature golf course is located on the island's western shore, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor beyond.

NYC Destination Playground: The Imagination Playground

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 11:20am

Kids can splash, climb, build, and create their own play structures at this playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

When the Imagination Playground near South Street Seaport opened eight years ago, the concept was revolutionary. The brainchild of famed architect David Rockwell, the unique play space was the product of years of Rockwell's own research, inspired by parenting his city kids. Rockwell's flagship destination playground has since inspired other indoor play spaces and outdoor playgrounds, including a second Imagination Playground in Brownsville, Brooklyn, featuring those iconic, oversize blue building blocks.

What makes the Imagination Playground different? Unlike many city playgrounds, this one wasn't designed for the usual swinging, climbing, sliding, and wild romping. Instead, its figure-eight shape encourages creative play in distinct play areas that offer different experiences. It's not quite the free-for-all of NYC's only adventure playground on Governors Island, but it does include some DIY fun.

Google Brings Pop-up Putt-Putt Golf to the West Village

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 05/24/2018 - 10:23am

Nothing says summer like a round of mini-golf and honing your putt-putt game is even better when it comes cost-free—so we're pretty excited about the Google Mini Golf pop-up now open in NYC's West Village.

Bryant Park and More Midtown West Parks and Playgrounds to Visit

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/30/2018 - 10:44am

Bryant Park is one of New Yorkers' favorite hangouts. Photo by Brittany Pertronella for NYCgo

Romping room may not be tops on your list of Midtown West destinations, but most city dwellers know about the not-so-hidden emerald gem Bryant Park, which abounds with enough family- (and budget-) friendly fun for an entire day's worth of entertainment, no matter the season. Twirl on the carousel in warm weather or the city's only FREE ice skating rink come winter.

We've got the lowdown on all the fun this green space has to offer for locals and visitors alike, plus five playgrounds off-the-beaten Midtown path, where kids can climb, swing, and slide to their heart's content.

Fearless Girl Statue Set to Move to New NYC Home

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 04/25/2018 - 10:22am

Fearless Girl, the bronze statue put up in NYC by an investment firm last year ahead of International Women's Day, is about to get a new, long-term home in the city. The guerilla-style art installation was meant to bring attention to the lack of women in senior-level management positions and became an instant selfie magnet for women and girls of all ages.

It has spent the past year staring down the Charging Bull in Bowling Green Park on Broadway. She will be moved just north from the skinny Bowling Green median to a pedestrian-only spot directly in front of the New York Stock Exchange in the Financial District.