Ok, this is just a quick “the more you know” post about an amenity in the neighborhood. We all know we have amazing parks everywhere you turn (⅓ of the neighborhood is open green space!), and once in a while, you’ll see a big corporate event or a kid’s birthday party going on as you walk or drive by. You may have assumed those people had a big-budget situation going on—because it must be astronomical to rent a huge space with a field and basketball and volleyball courts like Runway 35 field, right?
Wrong! It’s actually pretty cheap, especially if you’re a Central Park resident! The fee is $25 for a small park, a bit more for a sports field. We at Central Park Scoop held an event at Runway 35 park this spring, complete with reserved access of the volleyball and basketball courts, and the fee was a whopping $40. Non-residents pay more, but still not a lot: $50 for a small park.
All you need to do is fill out a simple form at least 48 hours before the event. And in our experience, the folks at the MCA were super helpful and responsive, even giving suggestions for locations that might work for our event.
There are a few parks that are not reservable (for example, big ones like Founder’s Green and Beeler Park & Plaza). But in other parks, with a permit, things like overnight camping, bouncy castles, and even pony rides and petting zoos may be permitted, so hey, go wild! Next time you’re planning a kid’s birthday party, a block party, a campout, a neighborhood softball game, a back-to-school party, or an event for your business, take a look at the big and small sports fields, playgrounds, and more—great locations we have right here in Central Park.
