New York Hall of Science Kidpower! Playground

This 30,000 square foot teaching park was created to augment the interior exhibits of the New York Hall of Science, encouraging visitors to learn principles of physics through their interaction with large-scale exhibits. The Hall of Science building itself was built for the 1964/65 World’s Fair and the character of this park was seen as a renewal of the world’s fair spirit that still pervades the site after 30+ years. The large-scale elements of the park structure are designed to act as exhibits that raise intriguing questions about physical phenomena. A series of steel pylons carry a continuous metal tube and a suspended walkway alongside the Hall of Science terrace. The structure becomes an organizing element for the exhibits, with the regular rhythm of pylons providing a subtle sense of order within the exuberance of the shapes and colors that are the physical activities. Likewise, the alternating stripes of the resilient surfacing speak of order amidst the fun. The boardwalk, which makes an undulating edge along the outside of the park, holds a series of water exhibits, mirrors the shape of the Hall of Science building and makes a transition to the landscaping of the area that borders Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Here, somewhat away from the active exhibits, adults can watch smaller children play.