NYC Parks FAQs - Most Recent Qs

How many ballfields and playgrounds does Parks run?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:29:05 GMT

Parks operates 614 ballfields and 1,000 playgrounds. In addition, we manage 550 tennis courts, 54 outdoor swimming pools, 12 indoor swimming pools, 30 recreation centers, 14 miles of beaches, 13 golf courses, 6 ice rinks, 5 major stadia, and 4 zoos.

Go to Athletic Facilities page.

What facilities and activities are available at my neighborhood recreation center?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:28:31 GMT

Our 30 recreation and senior centers are replete with facilities, such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, boxing rings, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. All of our recreation centers also offer a wide range of programs like aerobics, Tai Chi, fencing, dancing, theater, and sculpture. Most of our programs are free or are available at a modest cost, and all are open to the general public. For membership and facilities information, visit our Recreation pages.

Go to the Recreation Center page.
G o to the Programs page.
Search for Programs in BeFitNYC.

Do you have a Parks police force?

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:00:36 GMT

The Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) is a division of the Urban Park Service responsible for ensuring the safe use of parkland for everyone. Commissioner Gordon Davis created PEP in 1981 as a way of promoting proper use and enjoyment of parks by enforcing park rules and regulations, as well as health, traffic, and sanitation codes. PEP officers patrol all parks, ensuring that members of the public adhere to rules governing park use as stipulated in the Rules and Regulations Handbook. Summonses are issued to people found in violation of the Parks regulations.

In addition to keeping the parks safe with its PEP division, the Urban Park Rangers, established in 1979, educate the public about parks and parks-related issues. The Rangers sponsor special programs such as Junior Rangers, nature trail design, maintenance projects, and environmental fairs.

Go to the Rules and Regulations page.

Do you have any ATV trails in parks?

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:57:03 GMT

Unfortunately, we do not have any areas that can accomodate ATVs, and our rules prohibit their use in our parks. However, there are new mountain biking and BMX trails at Highbridge Park in Manhattan and Cunningham Park in Queens.

Does Parks manage the beaches?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:18:39 GMT

Parks manages 14 miles of beaches in all five boroughs of New York City. In order to keep the beaches and pools safe, Parks hires and trains a lifeguard staff that supervises the public use of our facilities. In Summer 2007, Parks hired 1,200 lifeguards who received training at Parks recreation centers. Our beaches and pools provide free recreation and enjoyment for millions of New Yorkers every year.

In Summer 2002, approximately 15 million patrons visited our seven public beaches: Rockaway Beach, 4.4 million; Coney Island, 9.5 million; Orchard Beach, 899,793; Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn, 658,275; Midland Beach, 56,170; South Beach, 47,528; and Wolfe's Park, 63,825.

Go to the Beaches and Pools page.
Go to the Lifeguard Application page.