Former teacher and Harlem resident Mariely Hieroms, who is raising her family in the neighborhood, created Harlem Studio Playground to offer local children a welcoming, thoughtfully designed indoor space to explore and grow.
Located at 1809 Amsterdam Avenue, the beautifully designed play space was built with children at its center. It features new furnishings and intentional sensory elements, along with a bright storefront that warmly welcomes visitors. Inside, the studio includes a sandbox, tactile materials, building blocks, art supplies, dolls, dollhouses, and puppets — all curated to spark imagination and hands-on creativity. Outside, an original crocheted installation by artist Carmen Paulino wraps the tree in front of the storefront — a colorful, joyful signal of the creativity inside.
Harlem Studio Playground offers family memberships for regular visits, along with daily open sessions, afterschool enrichment, birthday celebrations (including its popular Studio Very Cool Birthday Package), and school fundraisers.
Open Play Sessions
9:00–10:30am
11:00am–12:30pm
1:00–2:30pm
3:00–4:30pm
After launching in December, the studio has welcomed members from across the area and booked a steady stream of events — reflecting the excitement from neighbors and the obvious love for this new addition to Amsterdam Avenue.
That progress followed a difficult path to opening. After investing in a full renovation intended for a long-term lease, Mariely encountered bad-faith contractor delays, property-owner neglect, and related structural challenges that created significant financial strain — setbacks she discussed in recent Patch coverage, now syndicated nationally.
Even as memberships and bookings grow, those early costs have been substantial. To help stabilize operations and move forward on solid footing, Harlem Studio Playground is seeking community support. A fundraising effort (GoFundMe/Save-Harlem-Studio-Playground) already received 50 donations.
Jenn Beisser, who has been helping merchants organize the Alliance, shared:
“Harlem Studio Playground is exactly the kind of creative, family-centered business we want to see on Amsterdam Avenue. It’s a meaningful investment in children and in the future of this neighborhood.
What’s happening here isn’t isolated. We see how building conditions and ownership decisions directly affect whether small businesses can succeed.
With continued support from NYC SBS, Harlem One Stop is building engaging property owners and community stakeholders more directly to encourage responsible maintenance and real partnership so businesses can open, stay, and grow here.”
A bright addition to Amsterdam Avenue, Harlem Studio Playground reflects the creativity, care, and long-term commitment that locally rooted small businesses bring to West Harlem.
Harlem Studio Playground
1809 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10031
(646) 484-5037
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlem.studio.playground/?hl=en
Website: http://harlemstudioplayground.squarespace.com/
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-harlem-studio-playground