A River Runs Through It: River Run Playground

The legendary sandbox, sculptures and all.

This playground is aging, but it's great. It's a true hidden gem: you can't see it from any road, so you have to wander through Riverside Park to find it. That's a treat in itself, because the landscaping around here is first-rate, and there's a very cool giant boulder along the way.

One of the so-bad-they're-great sandbox faces.

What makes River Run unique is its centerpiece: a replica of the Hudson River running right through the middle. “Replica” is being generous — it's really a squiggly concrete stream — but it's a lot of fun. It starts at a splash-pad fountain and winds its way down to a drain near the sandbox. Who doesn't want to float an impromptu boat all the way down it? We floated a leaf all the way down the river. It was a moving experience. Mostly for the leaf.

The “Hudson River,” winding through the playground.

The other highlight is the legendary sandbox, with its so-bad-they're-great faces molded into the sides by a local artist. I know a few parents who are genuinely creeped out by them and avoid the sandbox completely. I think they're great. There's also a large public restroom right within the park, which is worth its weight in gold.

The weird blue modern climber.

I disapprove of the modern plastic equipment that's crept in here: a few plastic pieces and one weird blue modern climber that don't really jive with the rest of the place. But I'm impressed there's a seesaw, since there are so few left in playgrounds anywhere. I suppose the newer pieces add variety, since a stream isn't everyone's idea of fun (and it gets turned off in the winter). Good news for the future: after a community outcry, the city's planned renovation will keep both the river and the sandbox sculptures.

The playground's dedication plaque.

Verdict: worth traveling to. Because it's a bit older, it often gets overlooked, which is exactly why it deserves a visit.