NYC Park Facilities

Here are some interesting statistics regarding New York City Department of Parks and Recreation facilities. I would think that Mayor Bloomberg's plans for the greening of New York City would include more or better nature centers. As of this writing, they only include the destruction of the most incredible habitat and potentially greatest urban Nature Sanctuary in the country:

Baseball Diamonds: 722
Basketball Courts: "Over 600" (source: Department of Parks and Recreation website)
Golf Courses: 16
Playgrounds: 1007
Recreation Centers: 51
Soccer Fields: 128
Swimming Pools: 69
Tennis Courts: 712
(Source: The Trust for Public Lands, Center for City Park Excellent, updated 8/2007)

Nature Centers: 16, of which 4 are only open by appointment.

Many of the centers have odd hour of operation and some are really visitor's centers and, in my opinion, don't qualify as nature centers. There is little information online, other than what the parks department lists. Let me know if you have any photos and experiences to relate about NYC nature centers. In coming weeks I will visit all of them and post photos and reviews. Here are their hours:

1) Pelham Bay Nature Center 718-885-3467 Open by appointment.

2) Crotona Park 718-378-2061 Open by appointment.

3) Van Cortlandt Nature Center 718-548-0912 Open Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00 a. m. - 4:00 p. m. (from Memorial Day through Labor Day). Open by appointment only at all other times.

4) Orchard Beach Nature Center 718-885-3466 Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a. m. - 4:00 p. m. (from Memorial Day through Labor Day). Open by appointment only at all other times.

5) Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 Open Tuesday - Saturday from 11:00 a. m. - 4:00 p. m.; Sundays from 12:00 p. m. - 4:00 p. m.

6) The High Rock Nature Center 718-667-6042 Open by appointment only.

7) Greenbelt Nature Center La Tourette Park 718-351-3450 (April-December) Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a. m. - 5 p. m. Closed on Mondays, major holidays and on Easter.

8) Alley Pond Nature Center Alley Pond Park Phone: 718-217-6034 or 718-846-2731 Fax: 718-217-6598 Open by appointment only.

9) Alley Pond Environmental Center 718-229-4000 (September-June) Monday-Saturday 9 a. m. - 4:30 p. m; Sunday 9 a. m. - 3:30 p. m. Closed Sundays in July and August and some holidays

10) Forest Park Nature/Visitors Center 718-846-2731 Open every day from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.

11) Inwood Hill Nature Center 212-304-2365 Open every day from 11:00 a. m. - 4:00 p. m.

12) Belvedere Castle Visitor Center 212-628-2345 Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a. m. - 5:00 p. m.

13) Dana Discovery Center 212- 860-1370 Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a. m. - 5:00 p. m.

14) The Salt Marsh Nature Center 718-421-2021 Open every day from 11 a. m. - 5:00 p. m. Closed Wednesdays.

15) Audubon Center, Prospect Park 718-287-3400 (April-December) Thursday-Sunday & holidays, 12 - 5 p. m. (January-March) Weekends and school holidays, 12 - 4 p. m.

16) Visitors Center at Fort Greene Park 718-722-3218 Open seven days a week from 9 a. m. - 5 p. m.

(source: Department of Parks and Recreation website

Send us an email