North Meadow Recreation Center

The North Meadow Recreation Center, located adjacent to the North Meadow, is a Central Park Conservancy operations facility that includes basketball and handball courts.

Park visitors can borrow Field Day Kits here, with balls, bats, frisbees, and jump ropes for use in the area. Visitors can also borrow basketballs from the Recreation Center with a photo ID. During the summer months, the Conservancy runs Youth Basketball Clinics here to help kids improve their skills, make new friends, and have fun.

The North Meadow Recreation Center has had several uses over time. It was built in the early 20th century as a maintenance facility and was later used as a stable. In the 1930s it was converted for recreational uses, including roller skating and handball, as part of efforts to concentrate sports and other activities in the north end of the Park. It was rebuilt and expanded several times by the Conservancy to serve more modern recreational needs and accommodate Park staff.

Things you can do here

  • Health & Fitness

    Soccer

    Players of all ages gather each fall at the North Meadow to enjoy soccer games in the Park.

  • Daily Activities

    Basketball

    Shoot some hoops, practice your jump shot, or play a full game at one of Central Park’s basketball courts.

  • Kids & Families

    Youth Basketball Clinics

    Learn and enhance your basketball skills through small group instruction and competitive games.

  • Kids & Families

    Youth Basketball Clinic

    Enhance your basketball skills through small group instruction and competitive games.

    Tags: Seasonal / Best for Kids / Fitness

  • Kids & Families

    Field Day Kits

    Borrow a kit with a variety of balls, bats, frisbees, and jump ropes.

    • Read more

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    From the Mailbag: Solitude, Sports, and Skyline Views

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