New Indoor Sandbox Opens on the Upper East Side

A new indoor sandbox has debuted in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, allowing kids from well-off families to avoid the often dirty public sandboxes. Urban Dunes, promoted as “New York City’s only indoor sandbox,” features three themed playrooms where children can explore for 90 minutes at a fee of $30.

The play spaces, named Dino Land, Golden Beach, and Construction Zone, also come equipped with special toys. This means kids won’t risk picking up germs or anything unsavory from toys typically found outdoors. Local resident Natalie Barzilai expressed her dislike for public sandboxes, noting, “I hate it when my kids go into public sandboxes.” However, she admitted that it’s hard to keep them away from such places. After visiting Urban Dunes with her two sons, she thought, “This is a great idea. They can enjoy it regardless of the weather.”

The co-founder and manager of Urban Dunes, Vana Kozlina, shared that the initiative arose from realizing there aren’t many places in Manhattan where children can safely play in actual sand. “Especially during the winter, it just isn’t a hygienic environment,” she commented.

While the city maintains about 75 parks that offer sand pits or play areas with sand as a safety surface, many parents remain skeptical about the cleanliness of these public facilities. Kozlina noted that the fears parents have are relatable: “When we finally reach the sandpit, we often feel uneasy about its conditions. They can resemble giant toilets.”

Urban Dunes aims to provide a cleaner alternative. The facility implements strict rules—for instance, children are required to be barefoot in the sandpit, and eating and drinking are prohibited. Additionally, parents must sign a waiver, acknowledging the risks involved.

For Jane Kim, the hygienic promises of Urban Dunes are compelling enough to keep her daughter, Remy, away from public sandboxes. She shared her frustrations about the conditions of outdoor sand areas. “I’ve seen suspicious things, and it’s not always well-maintained.”

On the other hand, not all parents share the same concerns. Thea Kim, who was visiting Urban Dunes, was more relaxed about her daughter Sula playing in public sandboxes. “Obviously, it’s not very clean, but I don’t think it’s dirty enough to make her sick,” she stated, expressing her appreciation for having more indoor play areas in the city.