Accessibility InfoYouth Sports Programs & Instructional Clinics
Parks & Recreation offers a wide array of sports for children ages eight and up. All programs are free, but participants must be registered members of a recreation center. Check with your local recreation center or BeFitNYC for more details.
Year–Round Programs
Parks organizes affordable athletic programs for all abilities.
Learn more about accessible programs
Parks provides a variety of free, water–based programs for all ages and levels, ranging from swim lessons to recreational swimming to training for swim team competition.
Learn more about swim programs
Contact Information
Please fill out our Youth Sports Form so that we can contact you with exciting sport opportunities tailored to your child’s interests. If you have specific questions about any programs, please contact your borough recreation office for more information about our youth sports programs.
Citywide: (212) 360–3300
Manhattan: (212) 408–0103
Brooklyn: (718) 965–8938
Bronx: (718) 430–1825
Queens: (718) 520–5916
Staten Island: (718) 816-6172
Seasonal Programs
Unless otherwise noted, please contact your borough recreation office for more information.
Baseball⁄Softball
Parks Softball Program (May 11– June 15)
The Parks Softball Program, run in partnership with the Police Athletic League (PAL) with support from the New York Fast Pitch League, provides competitive games for boys and girls ages 10 through 13. Both Manhattan and Staten Island participate in the program: Manhattan with approximately 10 Co-Ed teams and Staten Island with both Co-Ed and Girls teams. Participants from all boroughs are welcome.
Players should bring their own gloves, but the rest of the equipment will be provided. Players should have a familiarity with the sport.
Please check with the Borough Coordinator for this program to find available teams and locations.
- Manhattan: (212) 408-0103
- Staten Island: (718) 816-6172
Instructional Baseball Clinics (Turn 2 Foundation)
The Turn 2 Foundation, in collaboration with NYC Parks, provides basic instruction in hitting, fielding, and throwing for boys & girls ages 8 to 13 in early August. Contact Wanda Mojica, Turn 2 Program Supervisor, at (212) 360–3308 for more information.
For dates and locations, view our Turn 2 page or visit http://www.derekjeter.com/.
SNY Play Ball! Learn to Play Baseball Program
Presented by Sports Authority, this free program teaches young New Yorkers ages 6-15 to play baseball at Marble Hill Playground in Manhattan and in Brownsville Playground in Brooklyn.
More information on BeFitNYC.
Basketball
Instructional Clinic: Learn to Play Basketball
Learn to Play Basketball teaches our up–and–coming young players the fundamentals of the game. Dates and times vary from borough to borough.
Cycling
Star Track (April – October)
This free eight-week afterschool track cycling program in New York City runs out of the beautiful, newly renovated Kissena Velodrome in Queens. It aspires to improve the lives of some of New York City’s underserved children, ages 9–13, by teaching them teamwork through the principles of bicycle racing.
Star Track hopes to enhance children’s physical and psychosocial development through their relationships with adult coaches. In addition, the program hopes to give the children a sense of pride and accomplishment through regular athletic activity.
Football
Flag Football (September–November)
Our Flag Football league begins September 17 and runs through November. Registration began on August 27 and runs until September 17. Flag football is open to both boys and girls ages 8 to 16. . The teams will compete to be in the Citywide Championship on November 10 at Macombs Dam Park. Contact your local recreation center for more information.
Golf
CityParks Junior Golf Center
Located next to the Dyker Beach public golf course in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, the CityParks Junior Golf Center is a state–of–the–art facility that offers free golf instruction to New York City children between the ages of 6–17. Highlights include a 6–hole golf course, practice putting and chipping greens, covered driving range and clubhouse with classroom space.
Learn more about CityParks Junior Golf Center
CityParks Golf
Presented by the René Lacoste Foundation, CityParks Golf makes it fun and easy for boys and girls ages 6 to 17 to learn to play golf. The program is offers five progressively challenging levels of instruction, from PeeWees to the Junior Golf Academy for our most advanced players, and teaches the importance of confidence, patience, cooperation, and respect to all participants. These free lessons, held in public parks and on citywide courses, makes the sport of golf accessible to kids of all skill levels throughout New York City. Free use of equipment is available at all lessons.
Learn more about CityParks Golf
Soccer
Instructional Clinic: Learn to Play Soccer (July–August)
Learn to Play Soccer is a ten–week instructional program for children ages 10 and under at Chelsea Recreation Center, Macomb's Dam Park, and Haffen Park. Our recreation staff and soccer coaches put together a curriculum suitable for the age group and gather all the necessary tools to run the program. {C}Registration is not required.
Indoor Soccer League (April–May)
This eight–week league focuses on developing offensive and defensive skills like dribbling, shooting, heading, trapping, team attack, and defense. Weekend games provide the opportunity for twenty–six teams of over 250 children to showcase their skills while building individual self–confidence and team unity.
The top team in each borough is given a chance to prove themselves at the league championships. The top two teams are rewarded for their hard work and competitive play with trophies, and all teams receive prizes and certificates while enjoying refreshments. Plans to expand the age groups for the league are in the works.
Tennis
CityParks Tennis
Presented by Chase, provides free tennis lessons to thousands of kids ages 5 to 16 each year in more than 36 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program promotes physical fitness while building self confidence, and is designed to make the sport of tennis freely available to those who want to learn the game in a fun, relaxed environment. CityParks Tennis lessons for kids are offered at all skill levels. Opportunities include free beginner lessons, tournaments, leagues, excellence programs and special events.
Learn more about CityParks Tennis
Track
Hershey’s Track & Field Games
The Hershey Company has been sponsoring this exciting and memorable track & field program for more than 30 years. Children ages 9 to 14 have the opportunity to compete in the following events: 50 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, 4x100 meter relay, standing long jump, and softball throw. Participants compete against other children from their local area and have the opportunity to advance to state and regional competitions and ultimately qualify for the North American Finals in Hershey, PA. Finalists enjoy a fun–filled weekend that includes a tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory and a day at Hershey Park.
CityParks Track & Field
Learn the basics of the sport, from hurdles and relay races to long jump, shot put and javelin throw at this free program open to boys and girls ages 5-16. Each summer in July and August, lessons are offered at citywide parks twice a week. All participating kids have the opportunity to display the basic skills learned at the end of each season at an organized track meet held at Icahn Stadium, the world class sports complex on Randall’s Island.
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