The Zucker Natural Exploration Area in Brooklyn's Prospect Park is inspired by nature.

The park’s newest “playground”, the Donald And Barbara Zucker Natural Exploration Area, known as Hurricane Playground to locals, is a beautiful, different and fun nature-based playground. Opened in 2013 from some of the 500 trees that were downed during Hurricane Sandy, this space doesn’t have any traditional playground equipment but rather uses tree stumps, large boulders, gigantic tree limbs and other natural materials to encourage creative play, perfect for kids looking for something different than the standard swing set and monkey bars! 

It is located just inside Nellie’s Lawn along the East Drive of the park, a beautiful grassy open space that encourages children and adults alike to run, play tag, or just lay in the grass and relax (as I have been known to do when my children play here!). As simple as this area looks, both my 6-year-old and my 10-year-old can spend hours running and playing here. I’ve also noticed many toddler preschools and playgroups spending the early morning hours here during the week, so it truly is a spot that caters to all ages.