This summer, approximately 70 playground associates will be deployed across New York City neighborhoods to offer free recreational activities for children and families unable to afford costly camps and lessons. The initiative, overseen by the Department of Parks and Recreation, operates as part of the Kids in Motion program, which aims to promote physical activity and provide safe, supervised play spaces during the summer months.

Playground associates, who earn $20.60 per hour, undergo a thorough hiring process that includes background checks, fingerprinting, and verification of prior experience in organized recreational programs such as coaching or counseling. Although they are not certified first aid providers, associates receive training on emergency protocols, including contacting supervisors or emergency services when necessary. The department reports no recent significant injuries at the playgrounds and notes that many children carry cellphones or are known to associate staff by neighborhood.

The program runs from Tuesday through Saturday, generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Playground associates are assigned to specific locations based on factors like serving disadvantaged communities and the availability of restroom facilities. This year’s sites include Columbus Park in Manhattan, St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx, Maria Hernandez Park in Brooklyn, and Al Quiñones Playground in the South Bronx, among others.

Playground associates provide a variety of activities that encourage participation and engagement without requiring registration or parental involvement. These activities range from basketball and tag to board games and guided walks, with staff adapting programs to different age groups and interests. During inclement weather or heat emergencies, activities relocate indoors to nearby recreation centers.

The Kids in Motion program, established in 2012 at an annual cost of about $250,000, grew out of longstanding traditions dating back to the 1930s of stationing park workers in playgrounds during summer. Its goals include combating childhood obesity and fostering a sense of community and belonging among children.

Playground associates often speak about the rewarding nature of the work. Synae Aponte, 21, assigned to the Al Quiñones Playground where she was raised, said she values the opportunity to support children in similar circumstances to her own. Paul Piccirello, now in his second summer with the program, described the role as fun but physically demanding, involving games like tag and scavenger hunts that keep participants active throughout the day.

Recreation supervisors view the program as a pipeline for future parks employees. Sandy Requeno, who began as a playground associate in 2014, remains connected to many families and children she encountered during her early work in the Lower East Side. The program not only provides affordable recreational services but also serves as a community hub and professional training ground.

Mayoral attention on the city’s affordability challenges has highlighted these free and low-cost recreational offerings amid a focus on expanding access to safe, supervised activities. According to Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, who describes her department as the city’s “agency of affordability,” the staffing of playground associates on the hottest days of summer ensures that children without other summer options have a safe place to go.