List of parks in New York City facts for kids
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:
- Federal Government: The US National Park Service looks after some special areas, like historic sites and larger natural spaces.
- New York State: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages state parks within the city.
- New York City: The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) takes care of most of the city's 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.
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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:
- Pelham Bay Park, Bronx - 2,772 acres (11.22 km²)
- Greenbelt, Staten Island - 2,316 acres (9.37 km²)
- Freshkills Park, Staten Island - 2,200 acres (8.9 km²)
- Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx - 1,146 acres (4.64 km²)
- Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens - 897 acres (3.63 km²)
- Central Park, Manhattan - 843 acres (3.41 km²)
- Marine Park, Brooklyn - 798 acres (3.23 km²)
- Bronx Park, Bronx - 718 acres (2.91 km²)
- Alley Pond Park, Queens - 655 acres (2.65 km²)
- Forest Park, Queens - 544 acres (2.2 km²)
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
The Bronx is home to some of the city's largest parks.
- Bronx Park (includes the New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo)
- Pelham Bay Park (the city's largest park, with Orchard Beach)
- Van Cortlandt Park (a very large park with trails and sports fields)
- Crotona Park (known for its pool and recreation areas)
- Joyce Kilmer Park (a smaller, historic park)
- St. Mary's Park (a busy community park)
- Poe Park (next to the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage)
- Wave Hill (a beautiful public garden and cultural center)
Brooklyn
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
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
Queens has a wide variety of parks, from large nature preserves to busy community hubs.
- Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (home to the Unisphere, Queens Museum, and Queens Zoo)
- Forest Park (a large park with a golf course and hiking trails)
- Astoria Park (known for its large pool and views of the Hell Gate Bridge)
- Alley Pond Park (a huge park with diverse ecosystems and an adventure course)
- Cunningham Park (a large park popular for sports and concerts)
- Gantry Plaza State Park (a state park with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline)
- Jacob Riis Park (a popular beach and recreation area)
- Kissena Park (a historic park with a lake and velodrome)
- Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk (a long, sandy beach perfect for swimming and surfing)
- Socrates Sculpture Park (an outdoor museum and park on the waterfront)
Staten Island
Staten Island is known for its natural beauty and large green spaces.
- Staten Island Greenbelt (a huge network of parks and natural areas, great for hiking)
- Freshkills Park (a former landfill being transformed into a massive park)
- Clove Lakes Park (a beautiful park with lakes, waterfalls, and a historic grist mill)
- Great Kills Park (part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, with beaches and trails)
- Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve (a unique natural area with rare plants and animals)
- Conference House Park (a historic park with a colonial-era house)
- Wolfe's Pond Park (a waterfront park with a beach and playground)
- Sailors' Snug Harbor (a cultural center with beautiful gardens, including the New York Chinese Scholar's Garden)
- Miller Field (a former airfield now part of the national park system)
See also
- 10-Minute Walk (a goal to have a park within a 10-minute walk of every New Yorker)
- List of privately owned public spaces in New York City
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- Skateparks in New York City
