West Thames Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
West Thames Park is a vibrant urban oasis in the heart of New York City, offering a delightful escape with new and varied play structures, water features, sand areas, and climbing opportunities. It provides an unbeatable view of the Freedom Tower and serves as an excellent stop for families during a downtown Manhattan day, especially between Battery Park and the World Trade Center.
Key Highlights
- ✓New play structures designed for different ages.
- ✓Spacious playground allowing kids to climb and run.
- ✓Engaging water play and sand areas.
- ✓Unbeatable view of the Freedom Tower.
- ✓Large adjacent lawn area suitable for various sports like baseball, soccer, and football, and general running around.
- ✓Provides a comfortable spot for parents to sit down and rest while children play.
Standout Features
- ⭐New and varied play structures.
- ⭐Water features, particularly great for cooling off in summer.
- ⭐Sand areas.
- ⭐Basketball half courts.
- ⭐Large, versatile lawn area for active play.
- ⭐Scenic view of the Freedom Tower.
- ⭐A cafe conveniently located right across the street for coffee or quick bites.
- ⭐Strategic location on the way from Battery Park to the World Trade Center.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be prepared for direct sun exposure, especially during summer visits; bring hats and sunscreen due to the lack of shade.
- →Consider visiting on weekends or after school/daycare hours for young children, as it's a popular time.
- →Note the park's weekday hours are 8 AM to 3 PM, which might impact planning for later afternoon visits.
Things to Consider
- ⚠No shade or covered space, which can be a significant issue during hot summer days.
Price & Value
No pricing information mentioned in reviews; presumed free as a public park, offering significant value through its diverse play options and central urban location.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews, but as a public park, it likely has general open access.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •A cafe is available right across the street for coffee and quick bites. No explicit rules or policies regarding bringing outside food into the park itself were mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No parking information was mentioned in the reviews. Given its downtown NYC location, street parking would likely be challenging or limited.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Described as a 'vibrant oasis' in the 'bustling heart of New York City'. It is noted to be great on weekends and after school/daycare, implying it can be popular during those times.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features or measures were explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Mid-day summer visits if seeking shade or covered protection from the sun is a priority.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Swedish Midsummer Festival
Details soon!
Unique celebration of the summer solstice.
Sunset Salsa
September 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Buy Tickets (price not specified)
Dance lesson from Lilka Mimbella, followed by a live musical performance by Quateto Guataca. RSVP required. Location: Wagner Park.
Fall Rugby (8-Week Program)
Every Wednesday from September 10th to October 29th, 2025
FREE
Non-contact rugby program for kids to run, pass, and score, make new friends, and learn basics in a fun, safe, and positive environment with expert coaches. No experience necessary. Location: Rockefeller Park.
Broadway in Battery Park City
September 6, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
RSVP required (via event link)
Broadway stars perform showtunes celebrating the Big Apple. Status: Canceled.
Hurricane Maria Commemoration
September 13, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Spoken word and live music by Nuyorican Poets Cafe, followed by an Open Mic. Pays homage to the resiliency, contributions, and ancestral wisdom of Puerto Rico.
The Klezmatics: In Concert
September 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
RSVP required (via event link)
Grammy-winning klezmer superstars revolutionize Yiddish music.
Fall Equinox Garden Party
September 19, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Celebrate changing seasons in the Children’s Garden. Enjoy fall-blooming flowers, garden treats, craft, and a Sarabesque performance. All ages welcome.
BPC Block Party
September 20, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Neighborhood tradition with children’s games, family activities, live musical performances, local business and restaurant vendors, contests, and prizes. Email info.bpc@bpca.ny.gov to participate.
E-Waste Drive
September 21, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Co-presented with The Lower East Side Ecology Center. Donate unwanted electronics for reuse and recycling.
Climate Week Waste Audit
September 24, 7:30am - 12:00pm
Learn about regular waste audits BPCA conducts as part of Sustainability and Zero Waste goals. Sorting landfill trash.
GO FISH! BATTERY PARK CITY’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN THE HUDSON ESTUARY
October 4, 10:30am - 1:00pm
Join experienced anglers for catch-and-release fishing to learn about life in the Hudson River, identify fish, and share data with research groups. Includes an art project, nature walk, and DJ Willy Wow performance.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS WITH NUYORICAN POETS CAFE
October 4, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Family-friendly arts and culture event to prepare for Dia de los Muertos. Explore roots, meanings, purpose of the holiday, with a teaching artist, folkloric musical guest, and open mic.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Closed-toe shoes required for children's soccer and sports activities.
- • Yoga is conducted in a safe, supportive environment.
- • BPC Parks Rules and Regulations are available (implied to be linked on site).
📅Booking Policy
- • Registration required for Parent & Baby Yoga (via registration@bpca.ny.gov).
- • Registration required for Creative Writing (via registration@bpca.ny.gov).
- • Registration required for Junior Naturalists Club (via registration@bpca.ny.gov).
- • Registration required for Children’s Gardening Club (via registration@bpca.ny.gov).
- • Registration required for Mah Jongg Lessons (via registration@bpca.ny.gov).
- • Permits available for Pickleball (at bpca.ny.gov).
- • RSVP required for Sunset Salsa.
- • RSVP required for Broadway in Battery Park City (via event link).
- • RSVP required for The Klezmatics: In Concert (via event link).
🚗Parking Information
- • River Terrace closed to vehicle traffic from Murray Street to North End Avenue from 7AM-4PM on BPC Farmers Market days. Permits for pickleball imply some vehicle access/parking controls.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Hoiping Ngo
a month agoCool park, I frequent the dog run. The playground looks great for families and kids they always seem to be having fun.
Robert Reynolds
a year agoSuch a cool park for my 5 year old son to play and climb in the middle of our Manhattan day!!! Great place to sit down and rest while he was playing, on the way from Battery Park to WTC.
Chia-Yi Cheng
4 years agoA downtown playground with new play structures for different ages. Spacious and with a unbeatable view of Freedom Tower. There's no shade or covered space so could be a issue during the summer. Other than that a great place for kids to climb and run. There's a cafe right across the street to grab a coffee or quick bite.
Anwar M Hossain
11 months agoNestled in the bustling heart of New York City, West Thames Park is a vibrant oasis that offers a delightful escape for both children and adults alike. This charming park, located at 200 Liberty St, New York is a haven for play and relaxation amidst the city’s concrete jungle. With a playground ingeniously designed for children up to 12 years old, it features an array of engaging activities including water play, sand areas, and climbing structures that promise hours of fun and adventure. For the sports enthusiasts, the park boasts basketball half courts where teens and adults can engage in friendly competition. The large lawn area, sandwiched between the playground and basketball courts, serves as a versatile space for various forms of play and community gatherings. Open from 8 AM to 3 PM on weekdays, West Thames Park is not just a park; it’s a community hub where memories are made, and the spirit of New York’s resilience and camaraderie shines brightly. Whether you’re seeking a moment of solitude or a lively space to connect with others, West Thames Park is the perfect urban retreat.
Duncan Schieb
6 years agoI have three young children so this park is great on weekends and after school/ daycare. It has some water features that are great in summer to cool of the kids. A lawn adjacent is great for older kids to play baseball, soccer, football and generally run around