Hudson County has some of the best playgrounds with a view that are as pleasant for parents as they are for children. The following playgrounds are Hudson County’s hidden gems, for parents who must entertain their children, but also want a moment of reprieve to take in a view. Read on for our list of best playgrounds in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond.
Note: These playgrounds accommodate toddlers.
Secaucus
Laurel Hill Kids Park
Hudson County’s newest remodeled playground is a little-known treasure for anyone who appreciates mountain scenery and river views. Nestled between “Snake Hill” and the Hackensack River, the Lauren Hill Kids Park, in Secaucus, packs a lot into a little area.
Brimming with whimsy, the playground equipment is built to look like pirate ships, crags, and castles complete with rope bridges and various slides. A music section allows children to play with xylophones and safely tethered mallets.
A brand new water park has been installed which allows children of all ages to play beside the Hackensack River, the banks of which are perfect for a picnic.
Restrooms and onsite parking make driving convenient, as public transportation for this park is lacking.
Read More: A Guide to Parks with Splash Pads in Hoboken + Jersey City
Bayonne
Uncle Milty’s
Bayonne has some of Hudson County’s best playgrounds—especially Uncle Milty’s. This playground rests on the Kill Van Kull — a narrow waterway separating NJ from NY, and Bayonne from Staten Island. Children will enjoy seeing the enormous ships coasting over the little river as they carry cargo to and from Newark, and parents will enjoy the view of the Bayonne Bridge and Staten Island.
One set of play equipment is designed to appear like a Mississippi paddle boat, and is an appropriate size for toddlers, while a larger play apparatus will excite older children. As a bonus, you can walk the river to a second, smaller playground also located within the park, on the corner of 1st and Broadway.
Restrooms are conveniently located beside the playground, and minimal traffic allows for easy street parking nearby, but public transportation is also lacking for this park.
West New York
Donnelly Memorial Park
West New York is known for its panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, and the playground at Donnelly Memorial Park is no exception.
With remarkable views of New York City, this sprawling park’s playground allows parents a respite with breathtaking sunsets. On clear days, the sunset strikes off of New York City buildings so brightly they cast shadows upon the playground equipment.
At times restrooms may be closed, but “portable toilets” (aka “porta-Johns”) can be found by the Park’s pavilion. For those who ride public transport, busses 165, 166, and 168 services this park.
Jersey City
Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park’s flagship playground is equal parts athletic and whimsical. With sections for your child to climb, run and jump, it also features a whale that children can climb on, along with other fanciful features like a series of stairs built to appear like a tree with various forest animals ranging from frogs to bears.
This park is especially wheelchair friendly with a “sway fun” glider.
There are nearby restrooms and often an ice cream truck is stationed onsite for refreshments. Unfortunately, public transport to this playground does not exist and a car or bike ride is necessary to access this playground.
Hoboken
Maxwell Place Park + Elysian Park
Hoboken is well known for its views of Manhattan, and Maxwell Place Park packs quite the punch.
^ Maxwell Place Park
This little playground is convenient for younger children, while the adjoining field and nearby beach allow greater room for larger children to run off some energy. Restrooms are often clean and suitably placed in the nearby “Boathouse.”
Another benefit of visiting Maxwell Place Park is its close proximity to Elysian Park, which has even more play apparatuses, including one for young children, and another for older children.
^ Elysian Park
During the summer, park staff at Elysian Park also set up a little sprinkler which toddlers will enjoy. The restrooms are located in a red brick building near the basketball courts.
Both of these parks can be accessed by the 126 bus with a short walk.
Fort Lee
Ross Dock Playground
While not exactly in Hudson County, our neighbors in Bergen County also have beautiful parks not too far for a Hudson County resident.
Nestled between the cliffs of the Palisades, the colossal George Washington Bridge, and the majestically flowing Hudson River resides that often overlooks Ross Dock Playground.
Located within the Fort Lee Historic Park, the Ross Dock Playground boasts two play sections with swings and slides. Convenient restrooms and barbecue grills make this a great option for fishing or a picnic with a great view. Unfortunately, public transportation is lacking and a car is the best option for visiting this park.
See More: A Guide to Playgrounds in the Montclair Area
NYC Parks
Dumbo — Main Street Playground
While everyone can agree that the best views of Manhattan are from Hudson County, Brooklyn’s Dumbo can offer a different view and experience. Its proximity to New York City has always been one of the draws of living in Hudson County, and access to New York City playgrounds also provides children (and adults) with rewarding visits.
Nestled between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, the Main Street Playground makes for a nice day trip to Brooklyn. Not only does the playground offer a large variety of play equipment, but it’s also situated near the Dumbo Ferry Market, which is a good pick for a quick bite to eat or convenient restrooms. Nearby, the historic Jane’s Carousel is a 48-horse, wooden carousel still operating since 1922. The Main Street Playground is best accessed by the MTA’s A, C, 2, 3, or F subway lines.
Pro Tips for a Trip to New York City
For those with cars, Sunday parking is free in NYC. Avoid traffic and find the best free parking spots by visiting NYC playgrounds early in the morning and coming back before mid-day traffic.
Updates on the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
On September 15th, 2022 Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state of New Jersey had officially acquired a former rail line + would be converting it into a massive greenway, which will stretch from Essex County to Hudson County. This almost nine-mile linear state park, which starts in Montclair and runs to Jersey City, will serve as a recreational path for bikers and walkers — as well as provide necessary green space to a variety of communities. The hope is that this design will also help mitigate flooding in many areas. This new trail will follow along the right-of-way of the eastern portion of NJ Transit’s former Boonton Line, which discontinued commuter service back in 2002 and, after freight services stopped in 2015, has since been inactive. The state spent $65 million to acquire this 135-acre property — which is the single largest conservation project ever, per an announcement from the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project. In November 2024, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced that it was aiming to break ground on the Newark section of the project in 2025. An open house was held on November 13th, where design plans for the project were revealed. Now, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will hire construction manager for the Greenway, and expects to have a manager ready for board approval in May 2025. Read on for what to know about the plans for the Essex-Hudson Greenway.
February 2025 Update
On Monday, February 24th, 2025, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding that calls for the authority to hire a construction manager for the Greenway, per the New Jersey Monitor. The NJEDA expects to have a construction manager ready for board approval by May, and also expects to establish a project budget by that time.
This post will be updated with any further details.
Read More: A Guide to Fun Outdoor Activities in New Jersey for Any Season
November 2024 Update
Per NJDEP's website, groundbreaking for the Newark section of the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project is expected to take place in 2025. NJDEP and NJ Transit hosted an open-house-style event on Wednesday, November 13th from 6PM-8PM at Park Elementary School — located at 120 Manchester Place in Newark — to inform locals about project updates, see artistic images of the Greenway, and share thoughts.
The design plans revealed at the open house include a map of the initial greenway development + construction that includes three community areas in the Newark section — which will span 0.8 miles from Branch Brook Park to Broadway.
The Branch Brook Park Overlook will feature views of Branch Brook Park with lawn and picnic space; The Tiffany Manor Hub will be a gathering space with seating and opportunities for food trucks and other short-term amenities; and The Newark Central Hub will include ADA-accessible play features, a performance space, sports courts, and restrooms. More details can be found on NJDEP's website.
All About the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project
Governor Phil Murphy and the Essex-Hudson Greenway Project announced on September 15th, 2022 that they had achieved a major milestone: the purchasing of a northern New Jersey inactive railway. This railway, which was NJ Transit’s former Boonton Line, is slated to be turned into a linear State Park that will stretch from Montclair to Jersey City on an almost nine-mile path. The state spent $65 million, which is the single largest conservation project to date — and is also the biggest investment in a non-motorized transportation corridor.
This project has been a long time coming with a lot of advocates working behind the scenes. The Essex-Hudson Greenway Coalition — which is made up of the Open Space Institute, the New Jersey Bike + Walk Coalition, and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance — celebrated the purchase back in 2022.
“This acquisition by Governor Murphy and the state of New Jersey brings us one step closer to creating much-needed green space to the most densely populated and diverse region in the entire nation,” Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute, said in the original announcement.
This 135-acre property will start from Montclair and pass through Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Belleville, Newark, Kearny, Secaucus, and end in Jersey City. The path, which is up to 100 feet wide at certain spots, will allow residents space for recreational biking and walking. Plus, according to the original release, this trail will provide a host of different benefits to residents in these areas.
"The Greenway has the potential to support new and existing businesses, create enhanced access to a healthy, thriving green space for historically underserved communities, and offer the communities adjacent to the property with significant flood control and environmental solutions to resolve longstanding issues," the announcement said.
In 2021, the September 11th National Memorial Trail received unanimous federal legislation for a trail route, which created a triangle-shaped, 1,300-mile trail. The Essex-Hudson Greenway will make up a portion of this trail.
“Many people don’t realize that in addition to providing nearby residents with new green space, the Essex-Hudson Greenway also has national significance as a component of the 9/11 Memorial Trail,” Andy Hamilton, Chair of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance Board of Directors, previously said. “It’s exciting to see that we are one step closer to realizing this full potential of this project and we remain committed to supporting the State of New Jersey and our coalition partners as the project moves forward.”
See More: Outdoor Exercise Paths in Essex County
Many locals have been campaigning for a linear park that would serve as a “shared-use path” for people walking, riding a bike, running, rollerblading, or just relaxing. Advocates including the Bloomfield Open Space Trust Fund, the Friends of the Ice + Iron Trail, and groups in North Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken have been pushing for this Greenway to come to fruition.
We can't wait to see what this project will look like once it's finished.
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