North Meadow

The North Meadow is, at 23 acres, one of Central Park’s largest open areas. Ball fields first appeared there in the 1870s and it has been extensively refitted with carefully managed baseball diamonds, most of which are in use throughout the spring and summer. Located just to the north of the reservoir, it’s gently rolling landscape creates a slightly more secluded ambience than the Great Lawn to the south.

At the southern edge lies the North Meadow Recreation Center. Its original incarnation was as a group of stables; however it now houses a state of the art fitness center, which includes basketball courts and handball courts. The center also features an array of interactive teaching tools which are used by then staff to instruct children on nutrition and good health.

The Recreation Center offers Field Day kits on loan. With a photo I.D., a visitor can borrow a kit with a variety of balls, footballs, bats, hula-hoops, Frisbees, and jump ropes.

Location: Mid-Park at 97th Street

Details: North Meadow Recreation Center – Mid-Park at 97th Street
(212) 348-4867

Hours:

September – June:
Tues-Fri: 10am to 6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am to 5pm
Closed Monday

July – August:
Mon-Thurs: 10am to 8pm
Fri: 10am to 6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am to 5pm