Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

Merrick Blvd. bet. 115 Ave., 116 Ave., and Baisley Blvd.

Queens

Roy Wilkins Recreation Center hours and programming

Roy Wilkins is far more than an ordinary park or recreation center. Named after the famed civil rights leader and former NAACP president, this unique public space is a cultural touchstone for all of New York City.

The park's 425-seat theater is home to its own troupe, the Black Spectrum Theatre, which is devoted to performing socially-conscious dramas. But the theater isn't the park's only innovation—a four-acre vegetable garden gives local kids and adults the opportunity to grow their own produce, an exceptional space in a city as crowded as New York.

And Roy Wilkins is well-loved for its other features, as well. When the weather warms up, the park's handball, basketball, and tennis courts are filled to the brim, and swimmers use its indoor pool all year long.

Discover the history of Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

Events

Arts, Culture & Fun: Jazz Concert with Alvin Flythe

A key player in Jamaica's funk scene, with credits on classic sessions alongside Tom Browne and Bernard Wright,...

Facilities

Park Information

Lost and Found Information

Directions to Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

Know Before You Go

Roy Wilkins Recreation Center

Roy Wilkins Recreation Center will be undergoing Capital improvements starting March 12, 2018. Upgrades include: a new roof over the gym, rebuilt activity rooms, and improved drainage and waterproofing in and around the building. Over the next 18 months, some programming spaces and some areas of the building will be closed to complete work. Please check this website regularly for closure details.
Anticipated Completion: Summer 2019