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List of parks in New York City facts for kids

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Parks and Greenspace New York City Map Julius Schorzman
A map showing major green spaces in New York City. Can you find some of the parks mentioned in this article?
Lower Central Park Shot 4
Central Park is a super popular spot in New York City! It's the most visited city park in the whole United States.
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A pigeon hanging out at Bryant Park.

New York City is famous for its tall buildings and busy streets, but it also has amazing green spaces! These are its many parks, where people can relax, play, and enjoy nature. There are thousands of parks, big and small, all over the city.

Different groups help manage these parks:

New York City has about 28,000 acres (113 square kilometers) of city parkland. It also has 14 miles (22 kilometers) of public beaches! Some of the most famous city parks include Central Park, Prospect Park, and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The biggest city park is Pelham Bay Park.

Some parks, like Gramercy Park, are privately owned. This means access might be limited to certain people.

The City Parks Foundation helps make parks even more fun. Every year, they offer over 1200 free events. These include concerts, dance shows, theater, and special activities for kids.

New York City's Biggest Parks

New York City has some truly huge parks! Here are the ten largest parks managed by the city, listed by their size:

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is even bigger than these parks, at 9,155 acres (37.05 km²). But it's a wildlife refuge, not a regular park for active use, so it's not on this list.

Parks in Each Borough

New York City has five boroughs, and each one has many parks! Here are some of the most well-known parks in each borough. You can find a complete list on the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation website.

The Bronx

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Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx.
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St. Mary's Park is a popular spot in the Bronx.

The Bronx is home to some of the city's largest parks.

Brooklyn

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Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn.
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Continental Army Plaza in Brooklyn.
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Dreier-Offerman Park in Brooklyn.
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Asser Levy Park near Coney Island.

Brooklyn has a mix of large parks and smaller, charming neighborhood spots.

  • Prospect Park (a huge park designed by the same people who designed Central Park)
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park (offers amazing views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge)
  • Fort Greene Park (a historic park with a monument)
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden (a beautiful place to see plants and flowers)
  • Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk (famous for its beach, rides, and boardwalk)
  • Bushwick Inlet Park (a newer park along the waterfront)
  • McCarren Park (a popular park with a pool and sports facilities)
  • Marine Park (Brooklyn's largest park)
  • Domino Park (a waterfront park with cool industrial design)
  • Owl's Head Park (offers great views of the harbor)

Manhattan

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Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in Manhattan.
Xiangqi in Columbus Park
People playing chess at Columbus Park.
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Tribeca Park in Manhattan.

Manhattan is home to the most famous park in the world, plus many other green spaces.

  • Central Park (the iconic heart of Manhattan, with lakes, trails, and attractions)
  • The Battery (at the southern tip of Manhattan, with ferry access to the Statue of Liberty)
  • Bryant Park (a lively park behind the New York Public Library)
  • High Line (a unique park built on an old elevated railway line)
  • Hudson River Park (a long waterfront park along the Hudson River)
  • Washington Square Park (a famous park in Greenwich Village with a large arch)
  • Union Square (a historic park known for its greenmarket)
  • Madison Square (home to the Flatiron Building and a popular gathering spot)
  • Carl Schurz Park (a beautiful park with East River views and Gracie Mansion)
  • Fort Tryon Park (home to The Cloisters museum and stunning views)
  • Governors Island (a former military base now a public park, accessible by ferry)

Queens

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Goose Pond in Captain Tilly Park in Queens.
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Rufus King Park in Queens.

Queens has a wide variety of parks, from large nature preserves to busy community hubs.

Staten Island

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The fountain at Buono Beach in Staten Island.

Staten Island is known for its natural beauty and large green spaces.

See also

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List of parks in New York City Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.