Your Guide to Getting Active in Queens:
- Queens offers a vast array of options for staying fit, from sprawling parks and scenic trails to diverse recreation centers.
- Major parks like Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Kissena Park provide extensive facilities for sports, relaxation, and family fun.
- Dedicated trails cater to runners, walkers, and cyclists of varying skill levels.
- Find everything from affordable NYC Parks recreation centers and full-service YMCAs to unique studios like an aerial arts center in College Point.
- Opportunities abound year-round, with both indoor and outdoor activities available across the borough.
Staying active is key to a healthy lifestyle, and residents and visitors in Queens have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. As one of New York City’s largest and most diverse boroughs, Queens provides countless opportunities to get moving, whether you prefer exercising outdoors in a scenic park, hitting a dedicated trail, or joining a class at a recreation center. This guide explores the parks, trails, and fitness hubs available across Queens to help you find your perfect way to stay active.
Major Parks: Queens’ Green Oases
Queens is home to some of NYC’s most significant parks, offering vast spaces and diverse amenities.
- 🌳 Flushing Meadows Corona Park: One of the city’s largest parks (897 acres), it’s a hub of activity. Facilities include sports fields (baseball, soccer), the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Queens Zoo, a lake, the Queens Botanical Garden, the New York Hall of Science, and the iconic Unisphere. It also features trails for walking and biking, playgrounds, and barbecue areas. Generally open 24 hours, but caution is advised at night.
- 🚴 Kissena Park (Flushing): Known for its lake, tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking/biking trails, Kissena Park also features a velodrome for cycling enthusiasts. Typically open dawn to dusk.
- 🏙️ Hunter’s Point South Park (Long Island City): Offers stunning Manhattan skyline views, a waterfront promenade perfect for walks and runs, a central green, playgrounds, and a dog run. Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
- 🏀 Queensbridge Park (Long Island City): Features basketball courts, playgrounds, walking paths, and waterfront access. Open 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
- ⛹️ Triborough Bridge Playground A & B (Astoria): Ideal for sports lovers, these adjacent playgrounds offer basketball and handball courts. Open 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
- 🌊 Bayside Waterfront Parks: Several family-friendly parks along the waterfront in Bayside offer spaces for picnics and leisurely strolls.
Trails for Every Pace: Walking, Running & Biking
Queens offers dedicated paths for various activities and fitness levels.
- Running Routes: Websites like Komoot list popular intermediate-level running routes in Queens, often reviewed by local runners, ranging from about 7km to 15km.
- Waterfront Paths:
- The Queens Waterfront Route (approx. 5.5 miles) starting near the Vernon Blvd Jackson Ave 7 train stop offers scenic views through Gantry Plaza State Park and Astoria Park.
- Hunter’s Point South Park and Queensbridge Park also feature waterfront paths suitable for walking and running.
- Biking Trails:
- Cunningham Park: Features a diverse system with trails for all levels (beginner to advanced), including tight, technical sections, log-overs, rocks, pump tracks, and a jump park.
- Forest Park: Offers a network suitable for beginners and those building stamina, with well-marked trails for walking and mountain biking.
- Kissena Park: Includes biking trails and the Kissena Velodrome.
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Contains greenways suitable for cycling.
Recreation Centers & Fitness Hubs
Beyond parks and trails, Queens has numerous indoor and specialized fitness options.
- NYC Parks Department Recreation Centers: Offer affordable access to gyms, pools, and fitness classes across the borough. Memberships often have discounts for specific groups.
- YMCA Locations: Several branches provide comprehensive facilities including fitness centers, pools, and group classes. Locations include:
- Flushing YMCA
- Ridgewood YMCA
- Cross Island YMCA
- Jamaica YMCA
- Long Island City YMCA (Example cost: Adult membership ~$77/month)
- Unique Fitness Studios:
- Aerial Haven (College Point): Offers circus-style aerial arts classes (silks, etc.) for adults and children in a studio with high ceilings.
- Other specialized studios like Shape Fitness For Women and Vibez Studio exist in the borough.
- Community Centers: Places like Commonpoint Queens offer various programs to help the community stay active.
Staying Active Across Queens Neighborhoods
Recreational opportunities are spread throughout the borough. Here’s a breakdown of facilities in key neighborhoods:
- Astoria:
- Triborough Bridge Playground A (Park) – Amenities: Basketball Courts, Handball Courts
- Triborough Bridge Playground B (Park) – Amenities: Basketball Courts, Handball Courts
- Flushing:
- Kissena Park (Park) – Amenities: Velodrome, Tennis Courts, Lake, Trails
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Park) – Amenities: Sports Fields, Zoo, Lake, Museums, Tennis Center
- Long Island City:
- Hunter’s Point South Park (Park) – Amenities: Waterfront Promenade, Playground, Dog Run
- Queensbridge Park (Park) – Amenities: Basketball Courts, Waterfront Area
- Bayside:
- Bayside Waterfront Parks (Park) – Amenities: Waterfront Access, Family Areas
- College Point:
- Aerial Arts Studio (Recreation Center) – Amenities: Aerial/Circus Fitness Classes
- Queens Village, Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Laurelton:
- Community Parks (Note: Queens Community Board 13 focuses on Parks and Environment in this area)
What Can You Do? A Guide to Activities
Queens offers a wide range of activities, available throughout the year. Here’s a breakdown:
YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES
- Indoor (All Seasons):
- Aerial Arts (Specialized Studios)
- Swimming (Indoor) (Recreation Centers)
- Weight Training (Recreation Centers)
- Dance Classes (Recreation Centers)
- Fitness Classes (Recreation Centers, Studios)
- Yoga (Recreation Centers, Studios)
- Rock Climbing (Recreation Centers – availability may vary)
- Outdoor (All Seasons):
- Basketball (Parks, Recreation Centers)
- Handball (Parks)
- Running/Jogging (Parks, Trails)
- Walking (Parks, Trails)
- Dog Walking (Parks)
- Bird Watching (Parks)
- Playground Activities (Parks)
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
- Outdoor (Spring-Fall):
- Tennis (Parks)
- Cycling (Parks, Trails)
- Picnicking (Parks)
- Soccer (Parks)
- Baseball (Parks)
- Outdoor (Summer):
- Swimming (Outdoor) (Recreation Centers – availability may vary)
Planning Your Active Outing
- Check Hours: Park and facility hours can vary. Always check official websites for current times.
- Memberships & Fees: NYC Parks Recreation Centers offer affordable memberships. YMCAs require membership (e.g., LIC YMCA ~$77/month for adults). Specialized studios like Aerial Haven will have class fees.
- Resources:
- NYC Parks Department: nyc.gov/parks – Find parks, facilities, events, and recreation center information.
- YMCA of Greater New York: ymcanyc.org – Find locations, programs, and membership details.
- Komoot / AllTrails: Apps for finding running and biking trails.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk in a scenic park, an intense workout on a dedicated trail, a swim at a local pool, or even a chance to fly through the air in an aerial arts class, Queens has something to offer. With diverse facilities spread across its many neighborhoods and activities available year-round, staying active in this vibrant borough is both accessible and exciting. Explore the options, find what suits you best, and enjoy the journey to wellness in Queens!