Parks, beaches, pools and free sports
Where to swim, walk and play sports for free in New York, what City recreation centers cost, and how to ice skate in Bryant Park.
Start here
- Membership at NYC Parks recreation centers is free for everyone under 25.
- For ages 25 to 61, membership costs $150 a year at centers with a pool and $100 at centers without one.
- Outdoor pools and beaches are free in summer. The Bryant Park ice rink is free from October 28, 2026 to February 28, 2027.
A recreation center is a City sports center operated by NYC Parks: a gym, basketball courts and, at many, an indoor pool.
Pick a center
The NYC Parks site lists centers by borough; those with an indoor pool are marked "indoor pool". Some centers are temporarily closed or on a changed schedule.
Find your rate
The price depends on your age and on whether the center has a pool. Under 25: free.
Bring an ID and the membership form
Bring a government photo ID and the membership form. If you have no such ID, NYC Parks points to the free IDNYC. For ages 25 to 61, IDNYC gives a 10% discount.
Pay by card, money order or check
Credit or debit cards, money orders or checks made out to "City of New York/Parks & Recreation". No cash. No sign-up fee, no refunds.
Sign up for classes
Instructor-led courses cost extra on top of the membership.
Annual and six-month membership at NYC Parks recreation centers
| For a year | For six months | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 25 to 61, all centers (including indoor pools) | $150 | $75 |
| Adults 25 to 61, centers without an indoor pool | $100 | $50 |
| Seniors 62 and older, people with disabilities, veterans | $25 | — |
| Young adults 18 to 24 and youth under 18 | Free | Free |
In November 2026 three centers with pools are temporarily closed: Hansborough Recreation Center (35 West 134th Street, Manhattan), Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (1 Clarkson Street, Manhattan) and Metropolitan Recreation Center (261 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn). For the Bronx and Staten Island, look for the "indoor pool" mark on the NYC Parks site.
Asser Levy Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Chelsea Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Brownsville Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
St. John's Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center & Ice Rink
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
Roy Wilkins Recreation Center
Low cost
Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150.
NYC Parks outdoor pools
Free
Outdoor pools are free for everyone in summer, 11 am to 7 pm with a cleaning break from 3 to 4 pm. In 2026 the Olympic and intermediate pools were open through September 13 and the mini pools through Labor Day. Bring a lock; electronics and food are not allowed. NYC Parks offers free Learn to Swim lessons and other aquatics programs. 2027 dates are not announced yet.
New York City beaches
Free
The city has 14 miles of beaches, all free. The 2026 season went from Memorial Day weekend to September 13, with lifeguards daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Beaches include Cedar Grove, Coney Island and Brighton, Midland, Orchard Beach, Rockaway and South Beach. Notify NYC, the City's alert service, sends beach notices.
Urban Park Rangers
Free
NYC Parks' rangers lead free events, such as a kayak paddle at Wolfe's Pond Park for ages 8 and up and autumn tree walks. 2026 is their 40th anniversary year. Schedule and registration are on the site.
Ice skating in Bryant Park
Free
From October 28, 2026 to February 28, 2027 skating is free: with your own skates you only need a free session ticket, released a week ahead. Skate rental starts at $18.72. The park, behind the main library on 42nd Street, is open every day.
- NYC Parks
- The Department of Parks & Recreation: the City agency in charge of parks, beaches, pools and recreation centers.
- Recreation center
- A City sports center with a gym, courts and often a pool; membership is paid, free under 25.
- Money order
- A paper payment document you buy at a post office or bank.
- Learn to Swim
- Free swimming lessons from NYC Parks.
- Notify NYC
- The City's alert service, which sends notifications including beach notices.
- IDNYC
- The free New York City ID card; at recreation centers it gives adults 25 to 61 a 10% discount.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.