Winter Oasis for $$$

Yesterday, I visited an indoor play space in New York City called Appleseeds. They have tons of classes in movement, art, and music and a beautiful padded play gym. They have three private bathrooms, a private nursing room and a whole separate, fully stocked changing station complete with diaper genies.
Awesome, right?
Wrong.
Just like Organic food and self-sustained living, it seems that indoor play gyms in New York City are only meant for people of a certain class. What I mean by this is, wouldn't we all love to eat food without growth hormones, not add to the destruction of the environment and have a place for our kids to play when it too cold to go to the park? The answer is yes, but most people cannot afford it.
I visited the play space on a night when they offered a free event for families with live music and food. While I had a great time and appreciated the freebies I still had to wonder why the cost of a membership with access to the play yard was over $300 a semester.
I understand charging a bit, especially with all the great amenities, but it seemed a little over the top. Then I realized. Only wealthy people must deserve to have an indoor play yard and the owners want to make that clear.
Appleseeds is not the only culprit. There is also Gymboree, Kidville, and the Playgarden. They all offer one free trial class but afterwards charge no less than $200 per semester per child with a small discount for additional children. This does not include the price of individual classes which are over $100 a semester per class.

In this city, space is limited. And the less money you have, the less space you have. So we go out searching for more space. But it turns out the play yards are just an extension of already large Park Ave. apartments. The rest of us have to wait for the summer.