Now that the
warmer weather has wandered in, kids can (and should) go outside to release energy and get a
breath of fresh air. And the great thing about physical fitness is that it can
be—wait for it—free! From jogging and diving, to tennis and teeing off, here’s
a list of how (and where) kiddos can play at no extra cost. —
Running
Today is National Running Day, and children and
adults alike across the city will be strapping on sneakers for the occasion.
For a list of NYC groups who are running together, click here. Kids might not want to run a marathon, but if you
make it to one of the city’s charity checkpoints and sign in, National Running
Day will make a donation to Shoes That
Fit, an organization that brings athletic shoes to children in need.
Tennis, Golf
and Track & Field
The City Parks Foundation offers
free tennis, golf and track and field programs throughout the summer. Golf
session 1 runs from July 5-29 with session 2 from August 1-26. Tennis starts
July 5 and ends August 26. Track & Field begins July 11 and goes until
August 17. Applications are being accepted now—call (212)
360-8283 to request one. Visit here
for more info.
The New York Junior Tennis League also offers free tennis instruction and play for students ranging in ages 6-18 in locations throughout the five boroughs. Spring session ends June 24 and the summer session starts July 5 and runs until August 26. All levels are welcome and loaner rackets are available. You must register in-person with your child at the location nearest you.
For fun in the
sun, play 14 holes at the FIGMENT 2011 Minigolf
course on Governor’s Island for free. This year, the course’s theme is all
about bugs—both the creepy crawly kind and the computer virus variety. Open
Fridays from 10-4pm,
Saturdays from 10-6pm,
and Sundays from 10-6pm,
from now until September 25.
Baseball
From August 1–4,
kids ages 8 to 13 can take part in the Twelfth
Annual New York City Baseball Clinic, a four-day program sponsored by the
Turn 2 Foundation, founded by baseball legend Derek Jeter. Kids will learn the
fundamentals from local coaches for free! Sign up registration for the 2011
clinics will be on Saturday, June 25 from 12 to 3 pm at the Al Oerter Recreation Center in Flushing.
But in the
meantime, brush up on basics by practicing in your local park and check out our
recent post
on baseball hitting tips from Coach Raymond De La Cruz of On Deck NY.
Swimming
Take a dip in
one of the great public pools in the city. The John Jay Pool and Recreation at E. 77th St. and Cherokee Place (east of York Ave.) is one of the city’s most popular
pools, offering an outdoor space with a diving board, a snack bar and a
playground nearby. It’s free, but the pool suggests suggest a $25 yearly
donation for adults and a $10 yearly donation for teens. (Open daily from 11am-7pm, 212-794-6566)
For a free
indoor pool, head to Recreation Center 59 at 533 W. 59th Street. Like John Jay Pool, there is a $25
suggested yearly donation for adults and a $10 one for teens. (Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, 6pm-6:45pm, 8:45pm-10pm, Sat 3:45pm-5:30pm, Closed Sun, 212-397-3159)
The Asser Levy Rec Center at 23rd and FDR
drive offers two outdoor pools for free. Membership for the indoor pool is $75
a year for adults but free for kids and teens under 18. (Outdoor pool hours are
11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 4:00
pm to 7:00 pm, 212-447-2020)
For youngsters (ages
six and up) who aren’t ready for a grown-up pool, check out the Tompkins Square Mini Pool. At three
feet deep, the pool is perfect for a little one who loves the shallow end! It’s
totally gratis and open daily from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and 4:00
pm to 7:00 pm (212-260-1316).
The city Department
of Recreation offers free swimming lessons and swim teams at public pools
in all five boroughs. Kids are enrolled via a lottery system – online lottery
registration begins June 18 at midnight and ends Friday June 24 at 11:59 pm. You must be a registered member of your
local recreation center.
FINAL THOUGHT: And for swimming, indoor sports (like
karate!) and more, there’s always your local Y – though not free, the YMCA is offering summer membership
discounts for both adults and families.
