Steph Skaff leads adventure playground project on Governors Island

Steph Skaff serves as executive director of play:groundNYC, a nonprofit organization that operates a 20,000-square-foot adventure playground called The Yard on Governors Island in New York City, CS Monitor reported. At the site, children use real tools like saws and hammers to build structures from plywood, nails, and salvaged materials. [1]

The Yard operates as a junkyard-style environment where children have free rein to construct forts, cross wooden towers, and play in mud pits under the supervision of trained playworkers, according to CS Monitor. The design encourages youth to manage their own risks, resolve challenges collaboratively, and develop creative problem-solving skills. [1]

In addition to managing the flagship Governors Island site, CS Monitor reported that Skaff and her organization are working to bring pop-up play spaces and loose-parts play initiatives to public schools and community parks throughout the city. [1]