Playgrounds
Fort Tryon Park is home to two vibrant playgrounds that offer fun and fitness for children, teens, and adults alike!
Jacob K. Javits Playground
Reconstructed in 2020, the Jacob K. Javits Playground offers a wide range of new amenities to celebrate. As part of Fort Tryon Park—one of ten Scenic Landmarks in New York City—the playground features workout equipment for teens and adults, an expanded play area designed for all ages and abilities with a tot lot and nature discovery zone, a spray shower, new basketball courts, more seating, picnic tables, and an accessible drinking fountain. Just across from Javits Playground at Fort Washington Terrace, visitors can also enjoy renovated play spaces with ping pong tables and a volleyball area.
This playground is named after admired New York politician Jacob Koppel Javits (1904-1986). Jacob K. Javits Playground is bounded by Margaret Corbin Circle and Fort Washington Avenue. Empire Mortgage leased this property to the City of New York between 1935 and 1937. Per the agreement, the playground was and continues to be operated as a parcel within Fort Tryon Park. In February 1944, Empire Mortgage deeded the property to the City as a gift. In December 1981, the Department of General Services placed Jacob K. Javits Playground under Parks jurisdiction and the City Council assigned the playground’s present name via local law in 1982. Parks officially dedicated the facility on June 2, 1985.
The playground was renovated in 1995; improvements featured the installation of safety surfacing. The playground includes benches, basketball courts, tire swings, and play equipment. A cast iron fence and large stone gates surround the facility. The property’s flora includes numerous American and Siberian elm trees. Looking west, through a lush canopy of trees, park goers enjoy splendid views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades.
Anne Loftus Playground
Located at the northern end of Fort Tryon Park, Anne Loftus Playground features fitness equipment, a large water feature, restrooms, and a spacious children’s play area, making it a favorite spot for families and park-goers of all ages.
Between 1931 and 1935, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. transformed rocky topography and thin soil into a stunning naturalistic and picturesque landscape. On this low-lying level north ground, and easily accessible location, Olmsted created a fan-shaped playground with rusticated retaining walls complete with open space for games, play equipment, a wading pool, and a field house. The park, including this Playground, opened on October 13, 1935.
In 1990, the playground was named for Anne Susan Cahill Loftus (1925-1989). Born in Manhattanville, she was a beloved resident and leader of Inwood. Loftus served as district manager of Manhattan’s Community Board 12 from October 1980 until her death on September 28, 1989. During her tenure, she was a forceful advocate for the care and maintenance of local parks and playgrounds.
The playground was rebuilt in 1997. As it is the only playground designed by the firm of Olmsted Brothers, the renovation deliberately evoked the original footprint. Workers installed new pavement and safety surfacing, fencing, benches, trees, play equipment, a north arrow rosette, and picnic and game tables. A new spray shower was built on the site of the former wading pool, and an open performance space was added.
In 2022, the spray shower plaza was rebuilt, and the play equipment upgraded.
