Sun, Sand & Water at Pier C Park in Hoboken

Raising kids in Hoboken just got a lot better.

We have visited three times since it officially opened over Memorial Day weekend, and I can unequivocally say it was worth the . There have been some amazing playgrounds opening up recently in NYC like Imagination Playground; Pier C is on par with the best of them. Also? It is geared toward older children; just in time for those of us whose kids were starting to outgrow the playground equipment in Hoboken's existing parks.

The playground equipment is seriously challenging. As a former elite national athlete, even I was taken aback by how advanced it is. From the vertical toeholds up a steep shaft that represent the only way to reach the top of the incredibly tall slide that is the dominant playground feature, to the spinning circle at the slide base that goes as fast as the runners holding its edges, this is NOT a playground for little kids. My extremely athletic and oversized almost-five year old daughter has gotten thrown off the spinning circle twice when she was riding with older kids; I have had to forbid her from going on it again. And forget about the widely spaced rope net suspended near the top of the slide; it is going to be many years before my kids are ready to brave that challenge.

For the younger set, there is a toddler playground in the heart of Pier C with sheltering raised grassy banks and shady trees all around it. It has tried and true favorites like the same Danish ice cream hut as the Church Square Park toddler park. But even here the level has been ratcheted up a notch, with a rocket ship that has climbing ropes attached to the side. And the two Pier C sand pits complete with steel water fountains and troughs are unbeatable attractions. My kids could and have easily spent entire days building dams, forts and moats in the sand; I have had to drag them kicking and screaming out of there when the inevitable rain or nightfall interfered with their fun.

My husband has taken to meeting us after work at Pier C since it is steps away from the PATH train and NY Waterway ferry. The location is unbeatable with Washington Street restaurants steps away to feed exhausted, hungry parents and toddlers.

I now have a place to take the kids on unscheduled summer afternoons that is on par with a trip to the beach, and the 10 minute commute from home is matchless. Now if only I can find away to keep the kids from falling asleep in the stroller on the way home so I stop finding sand in the beds.

To read more about what makes Kathy Zucker tick, check out her blog at http://momcondoliving.com/ and follow her at http://twitter.com/kathyzucker