The Foundation creates programs in parks in all boroughs including free concerts, theater, dance, and kids sports programs. City Parks Foundation brings Summerstage to Central Park, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park, and free tennis lessons to kids 5 to 16 in 36 parks throughout the five boroughs. Free senior fitness programs meet twice a week at each location and participants are encouraged to maintain regular attendance to maximize health benefits.

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Almost 100 free events for the whole family involving music, dance films, sports at Riverside Park. Summer On the Hudson, one of New York City’s largest free summer festivals, opens with a Irish Dance Festival and continues with the Quadricentennial of the Hudson River: the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of and first journey up New York’s waterway, as well as the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s maiden voyage on a steamboat. Celebratory happenings include the Nieuw York/New York “Movies Under the Stars” series opening July 8, with historically-themed favorites that span the centuries such as the 1993 The Age of Innocence starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer; and special programming on the July-August Kid Acts! Series.

In addition, throughout the summer there will be ongoing sports, wellness and recreation activities for the whole family, from spring into fall, in yoga, kayaking and pilates.

Riverside Park South is a unique combination of greenspace, esplanades, winding pathways, wooden boardwalks, plazas, and ball fields, with panoramic north and south views of the Hudson River. Summer on the Hudson strives to present events that meet the cultural and recreational needs of the community, enrich the daily lives of New Yorkers, and brings diverse groups of people together in a magical setting.

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Call (212) 871-YANKS or email centerstage [at] yesnetwork [dot] com. The show is a one-hour sit-down with A-List guests, including Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, rap impresario Jay-Z, Nets All-Star guard Vince Carter, and much more.

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Central Park is the most famous park in NYC. At 843 acres, Central Park allows visitors to forget they are in the middle of the city with large green lawns, winding forrested trails, a pond, a lake, fountains, and quaint overpasses. Volunteers lead free tours and self-guided tours of the park’s history, ecology and design. You can also attend a teen-led tour.

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This organization offers free programs and facilities from the Hudson River Park. Free programs include 20 minute walk-up public kayaking, 3 hour kayak trips on the harbor, and introductory kayak classes on Wednesday evenings and during the winter at an indoor pool. Facilities are also available to the general public for the launching of small hand powered boats. See website for dates and details.

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NYC Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide selection of sports opportunities for children ages 8+ all year long. All programs are free but you must be registered members of a recreation center (membership is free for children under 18 years of age). Sports leagues include basketball, flag football, indoor soccer, softball, track, and more. Instructional clinics teach kids how to play basketball, baseball, and soccer. 35 various locations.

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