NYC Green Spaces Itinerary
Article by Nami F.
Summer’s Coming- Let’s Make It Fun!!!
The sun is in full blast, flowers are in full bloom, and the sounds of laughter accompanying the ice cream truck is right around the corner. This means that it’s time to start planning your summer adventures!! From the thrills of Coney Island amusement park to the breezy rides of the Staten Island Ferry, there are countless activities for families and friends to do within New York City. But arguably the most cost-effective and fun activities can be found disguised, right around a local street corner!!
NYC’s Hidden Gem: It’s Green Spaces
Did you know NYC is home to over 20,000 acres of parks, gardens, and green infrastructure? All of that is available to the public, isn’t that crazy??? The NYC Parks Department has launched countless initiatives and programs dedicated to improving quality of life for all communities across each of the boroughs. They’re aiming for a goal of 85% of New Yorkers to be within walking distance of a park by 2030.[1] For example, the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) provides recreational areas and promotes sports for underserved communities.[2] Even the piers managed by Hudson River Park, are in partnership with the NYC Park Department to make spaces more accessible in the city.
Why Do Green Spaces Matter?
Crowded urban spaces like NYC often face problems with rainfall during storms and heat waves in the summer.[3] Green spaces can help with stormwater management by slowing down rain flow and storing the water within the dirt. At the same time, they also relieve extreme heat waves by providing shade, reflecting UV radiation from the sun, and releasing moisture into the atmosphere.[4] I’m sure you have experienced large seasonal temperature fluctuations and flooding within roads and sidewalks. We need to support green spaces by visiting and promoting them. This helps show the government that these spaces are too valuable to be replaced.
What To Do This Summer
Now that you know why parks are so important, why not explore some of NYC’s best outdoor spots? Go crazy on the swings at one of your local parks, wander into a mystical street garden, or relax and watch some dogs at a local dog run. Even better, try visiting one or more of the many listed parks on this itinerary! In all, the best way to keep these spaces alive is to use them, so get out there, enjoy yourself and touch some grass!!!
MANHATTAN
Union Square & Madison Square Park
Surrounded by shops and bustling streets, Union Square and Madison Square Garden are perfect examples of greenery in the heart of the city. Union Square is also home to weekend farmers’ markets, filled with a vast variety of homemade goods and a multitude of events.
Includes:
Nearby shops
Picnic lawns
Statues
Dog/Pet Parks
Family-Friendly Playgrounds
Excludes:
Bathrooms
A variety of flowers
Location:
Union Square Park
14 St- Union Sq, (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W, M14A & M14D)
Madison Square Park
11 Madison Ave, (R, W, M23, M1, M2, M3, M55)
Stuy Cove
Managed by our very own Solar1, StuyCove is a beautiful pier side spot near East Village. With a kid park and a green walk next to the river, this is the perfect local place for families to visit.
Includes:
Pet-friendly
Bike lanes
Excludes:
Bathrooms
A variety of flowers
Location:
24-20 FDR Dr Service Rd East (M34, M34A)
Central Park
Stretching over 50 blocks or 843 acres, Central Park is home to countless wildlife and ancient architecture. With multiple different aesthetic bridges and lakes, people and their dogs fill up the park, giving a sense of tranquil community. The Central Park Zoo, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more are all located inside the park.
Includes:
Bathrooms
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Bike lanes
Picnic lawns
Multiple lakes and bridges
Nearby shops
Countless trails and hiking opportunities
Location:
Central Park, New York, (1, 2, 3, B, D, A, C, N, R, W, Q, F, etc)
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is the life of the party. Located right next to Times Square, Bryant Park is a restful yet exciting place. It houses The New York Public Library, multiple little shops. Bryant Park hosts a variety of events: picnic concerts during the summer, and a shop-filled village in the winter.
Includes:
Bathrooms
Shops
Picnic lawns
Excludes:
A variety of flowers
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Location:
Bryant Park, New York, (F, M, B, D, 7, M1, M4, M5, M7, M55, M42, Q32)
The High Line
The High Line is a repurposed old railway between West 13th-34th with multiple different sculptures, trees, and resting spots. The High Line holds its own unique story, as it was born from a project from the government, a freight train railroad to prevent street level deaths. But once there was a lack of use, the government transformed it, making it an inspiration for other cities to transform industrial places into lively public spaces. Not only does it hold a lot of historical significance, the High Line is the perfect place for viewing the NYC skyline and sunsets!
Includes:
Bathrooms
A variety of flowers
Excludes:
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Picnic lawns
Location:
The High Line, New York, (M11,7)
Piers at Hudson River Park
The iconic piers along the Hudson River park are popular for a good reason. With multiple piers all along the west side of Manhattan, there’s plenty of activities for you to do: biking along the river, shopping around Hudson and Chelsea market, to playing Manhattan’s only mini golf.
Includes:
Bathrooms
A variety of flowers
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Picnic lawns
Shops
Location:
All through the West Side of Manhattan
BROOKLYN
Prospect Park
Prospect Park is a massive park that’s known as Central Park’s counterpart. While it hosts the same activities as Central Park, it’s way less busy. It houses the Prospect Park Zoo, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and food festivals.
Includes:
Bathrooms
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Bike lanes
Picnic lawns
Multiple lakes and bridges
Location:
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY (2,3,4, F, G, B, S, Q)
Domino Park
Domino Park is a hidden gem that resides in Brooklyn’s pier side facing Manhattan's Lower East Side piers. Despite it being the smallest green space on this list, it has a large interactive park and multiple different volleyball courts, making full use of its limited space. At the end of the park it even holds a secret cove, with public access to the East River and a lighthouse.
Includes:
A variety of flowers
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Picnic lawns
Bike lanes
Bathrooms
Location:
15 River St (B32, Q59)
QUEENS
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Corona Park takes up over 100 acres of land. While it's best known for its massive metal globe, there are plenty of other attractions. From ideal scenic spots for pictures and picnics, it’s perfect to visit with large groups of people. Or to even go to relax under the shade after shopping in Flushing! Not only does it hold the Queens Zoo, but also the Queens Night Market, USTA BillieJean King National Tennis Center, Queens Museum, and New York Hall of Science. Close by the Queens Botanical Garden and Downtown Flushing are within walkable distance.
Includes:
A variety of flowers
Family-friendly playgrounds
Picnic lawns
Bike lanes
Bathrooms
Location:
P5R5+2P, Queens, NY 11354 (Q20, Q20B, Q44, Q48, Q58, 7)
Hunter’s Point South Park
Hunter’s Point South Park is located in Long Island City, Queens with beautiful blooms of cherry blossoms and various other flowers. The park allows residents of Queens to access a local park for family fun, picnics, and the Manhattan Skyline. It’s also connected to the Gantry Plaza State Park, which includes attractions like the large Pepsi Cola sign, cinema, and kayak spots.
Includes:
Picnic lawns
Bike lanes
Bathrooms
Excludes:
Dog/pet parks
Family-friendly playgrounds
Location:
Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101 (7, G, E, M)
