# Parks, beaches, pools and free sports

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/new-york/parks-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.

## How to join a recreation center

A recreation center is a City sports center operated by NYC Parks: a gym, basketball courts and, at many, an indoor pool.

1. 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.
2. Find your rate The price depends on your age and on whether the center has a pool. Under 25: free.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Sign up for classes Instructor-led courses cost extra on top of the membership.

## What membership costs

Annual and six-month membership at NYC Parks recreation centers

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## Recreation centers with an indoor pool

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](https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/places-to-go/pools).

- Asser Levy Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 392 Asser Levy Place, Manhattan
- Chelsea Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 430 West 25th Street, Manhattan
- Constance Baker Motley Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 348 East 54th Street, Manhattan
- Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 232 West 60th Street, Manhattan
- Brownsville Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 1555 Linden Boulevard, Brooklyn
- Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 3105 Farragut Place, Brooklyn
- St. John's Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 1251 Prospect Place, Brooklyn
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center & Ice Rink Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 131-04 Meridian Road, Queens
- Roy Wilkins Recreation Center Low cost Indoor pool. Annual membership for adults 25 to 61: $150. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters) 177th Street & Baisley Boulevard, Queens

## Free outdoors: pools, beaches and ranger walks

- 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. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools) summer 2026: 11 am–7 pm, break 3–4 pm
- 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. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches) 2026 season: Memorial Day weekend to September 13
- 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](https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers). [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers)
- 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. [bryantpark.org](https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park) Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Manhattan rink daily 8 am–10 pm, until midnight Nov 19–Jan 3, until 8 pm Jan 31

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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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.

[All pages: Life in New York](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/new-york/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters)
- [nycgovparks.org/highlights/places-to-go/pools](https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/places-to-go/pools)
- [nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/outdoor-pools)
- [nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches](https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/beaches)
- [nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers](https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers)
- [bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-br…](https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park)