INSIDE: We visited Vanderbilt Playground in Prospect Park after it snowed!
It snowed out-of-the-blue the day we visited Brooklyn’s VANDERBILT PLAYGROUND at Prospect Park, but that wasn’t going to stop our playground hunting.
No siree!
Snow was just a bonus addition to our exploration and playground adventures in New York.
The boys had never seen snow before, let alone had the chance to pick up a snowball and throw it at mum, or run through a foot of snow in their Converse boots.
Snow is fun, AND very, very, cold.
Take a look at the Vanderbilt playground covered in snow, below!
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Vanderbilt Playground Prospect Park
Vanderbilt Playground in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park has a tonne of playground equipment for kids of all ages.
The added bonus for parents is a splendid view of the lake from the fort.
RELATED: ULTIMATE guide of unique things to do in New York with kids
Prospect Park Vanderbilt Playground New York
Things to do in Brooklyn for kids?
This Prospect Park playground has a monster-sized orange climbing frame/fort structure/jungle gym.
There’s dual monkey bars, tunnels, a twisty slide, a straight slide, climbing ladders, chain link ladders. It’s a kid’s parkour dream.
Also, the largish round disk-shaped spinning carousel that fits 3-5 children at a time
(Watch out. When they get it going round, the spinner moves fast!)
Prospect Park Playground Star
There’s also this giant geometric free-standing climbing frame in the shape of a star.
Things to do in Brooklyn for toddlers
The toddler area is separated from the rest of the Vanderbilt playground with a low fence and gate.
- Two-turreted toddler fort with multiple levels, and a toddler slide
- Round multi-height “stepping stones” to balance on
- Smaller one-person spinning ride that resembles a space-age cocoon
- Simple interactive equipment to make musical sounds
- A water feature
There’s a row of baby and toddler swings in a separate gated area also.
Water Playground in New York
The main water play area has a huddle of water-spraying fountains that resemble reeds in a pond.
The floor covering in this area is concrete.
We want to go back in summer and see these in action!
Where to eat at Prospect Park near Vanderbilt play area
Elk Cafe is across the road.
Cafe serves:
- pizza
- sandwiches
- ice cream
- cakes and bakery goods
- snacks
- drinks, hot and cold
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Vanderbilt Playground Prospect Park Brooklyn
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in US dollars, unless otherwise stated
Address: Vanderbilt Street playground is located at 170 West Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA (Prospect Park S/W, Vanderbilt Street Brooklyn)
Phone: Click here to report an issue or find information
Website: Click here
Opening Hours: Vanderbilt playground is open from 8:00 a.m. to dusk
Entry Fees: Free
How to get to Prospect Park in Brooklyn (Vanderbilt Playground):
By Train: F Train to Fort Hamilton Parkway station. 9 minutes walk to Vanderbilt Playground.
By Bus: Take the B-68 Bus along Coney Island Ave to Prospect Park Southwest.
By Car from Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges: Take Flatbush Ave. to Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West exit, make left on Prospect Park Southwest at Bartel- Pritchard Circle to Vanderbilt St.
By Car from BQE (Brooklyn Queens Expressway): Take BQE to Prospect Expressway, 10th Ave. exit. Make left on 11th Ave. Make right on Prospect Park Southwest to Vanderbilt St.
Prospect Park Parking
Limited on street parking
Vanderbilt Playground Map
Facilities at the Vanderbilt Playground Brooklyn
Prospect Park Bathrooms
- There’s no bathrooms at this Prospect Park playground.
- The closest bathrooms are at Prospect Park (The Bandshell) at Prospect Park West/7th Street/15th Street.
- Keep an eye out for a Porta-potty (portaloo) stationed nearby as you wander in.
- They appear from time to time.
Click here for a list of bathrooms in Prospect Park.
Disability access: Accessible playgrounds with transfer platforms, ground level play features, including an adaptive swing
Closest ATM: TB Bank ATM is at 210 Prospect Park Southwest, Brooklyn about 200 metres away, in the direction of tennis courts
Shade: Trees only. No shade cover.
Enclosed: Fully fenced around, and toddler areas and swings separately fenced inside also. The gates on the toddler playground are easily opened by young children, so stay in close proximity.
Ground cover: Rubber soft fall tiles, concrete pathways, wooden planks on forts.
Picnic tables: No, but plenty of benches, and wooden platforms to use instead
Electric BBQs: No
Water Bubblers/fountains: Yes
Scooters and Bikes: Yes, plenty of room and paths to ride throughout the park.
Dogs: No. On leash in park only.
Toadstool Rating – Vanderbilt Playground at Prospect Park Brooklyn
If you are visiting NYC with toddlers, Brooklyn is a must-do. It’s the way to get out of the hustle and bustle for a moment, breathe, and give everyone a bit of space.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum nearby is a MUST DO also.
Hot tip: We quickly learned that Converse Boots are definitely not made for snow days!
They soaked straight through, and no amount of sock-stacking was going to help.
We had to buy a new pair of shoes, and warm socks for Ned on our way to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Oops.
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