There’s no shortage of playgrounds in Westchester, but when your kids are small, not just any park will do. Younger children need parks with bucket swings, contained spaces, clean bathrooms close by, and unique equipment to capture their attention. We’ve scoured the county and found four playgrounds that are practically perfect for preschoolers.
Try Out Tandem Swings
Crawford Playground in Crawford Park is the hidden gem of Rye Brook. Free ample parking, a picnic area, ball fields, large clean restrooms, and a fantastic playground that is great for little ones. There’s some remarkably stellar equipment here, including a dragonfly teeter-totter and an adult-propelled merry-go-round with molded seats (that circular metal death trap of our childhood is a thing of the past). Our favorite is the mommy-and-me swing, which looks like an infant bucket swing connected to a classic swing. You and baby face each other and as you move, they swing too.
Crawford Park
122 North Ridge St., Rye Brook, N.Y.
914-939-3006
Accessible Kidtopia
Located inside Huguenot Park in front of New Rochelle High School, Jack’s Friendship Garden was built in 2006 with state-of-the-art equipment that is fully accessible. The large wide ramps up to the play area makes it easy for new walkers to get up – and their tired caregivers to follow along! This playground has trees and sun sails to provide shade, a large sandbox and multiple play structures, with some unusual features such as a large rocker you can wheel a stroller into. You might even see people fishing on nearby Huguenot Lake. Take a bathroom or book break at the Huguenot Children’s Library next door.
Jack’s Friendship Garden/Huguenot Park
796 North Ave., New Rochelle, N.Y.
914-654-2000
Beachside Blast
This giant playground in Mamaroneck is nestled inside Harbor Island Park, an oceanfront oasis boasting playing fields, boat launches, a 700 ft. salt water beach, a spray park for kids and picnic areas. Enjoy free ample parking most of the year. This playground has a great mix of wooden, metal and plastic equipment, including a wooden ship-shaped sandbox and climbing structure and a tall fort with a two-story slide. The large disk swings are a favorite with kids of all ages. Parents love the shaded gazebo with benches, ocean views and nearby restroom facilities.
Harbor Island Playground
60-98 Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
914-777-7784
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Fenced-In Fun
Reis Park in Somers is a large complex of pavilions, trails, fields and courts complete with restroom facilities and easy parking. The playground inside has just as much variety, with multiple play structures, swing sets, and even a separate toddler area with a fence to keep the littlest ones contained. There’s a tiny tree fort for pretend play, a low climbing structure to shake the sillies out and plenty of tunnels and slides. Or venture out to the big-kid area to test the rock climbing domes or the tire swing.
Reis Park
82 Primrose St., Somers, N.Y.
914-232-8441
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— Andrea Worthington owns BabyG
