With more than 1,700 parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities on more than 29,000 acres across the five boroughs, New York City has the highest percentage of parkland of any high-density US city and offers many recreational opportunities. From kayaking and horseback riding to public concerts and performances, New York City’s parks offer nearly every outdoor activity.

Sprawling Parks and Zoos
World-famous Central Park, the country’s first public park, covers 843 acres and includes 136 acres of woodlands, 250 acres of lawns and 150 acres of water in 7 water bodies. More than 25 million visitors enjoy the park each year, taking advantage of nature tours, bicycle trails, baseball diamonds and a variety of other activities. Residents have a special relationship with Central Park and consistently regard it as one of their favorite destinations in the City.

In addition to Central Park, there are opportunities in all five boroughs to enjoy New York City parkland and nature activities. 585-acre Prospect Park, for example, is an urban oasis in Brooklyn that offers ice skating, boat tours, a tennis center and more. Furthermore, the Bronx Zoo, the flagship in the largest network of metropolitan zoos in the country, features an impressive collection of over 4,000 animals. Flushing Meadow Park and the Bronx Botanic Garden are also popular destinations for enjoying nature.

Committed to More Green Space Citywide
While New York City offers many established parks and recreational facilities, it also has an ongoing commitment to develop more green space and waterfront areas for public enjoyment. Hudson River Park, on Manhattan’s west side, continues to grow and will eventually be part of a continuous series of parks that wrap around Manhattan’s waterfront. Similar green spaces are under development throughout the entire City.

Thinking Long Term with PlaNYC
In fact, as a part of the mayor’s PlaNYC initiative, New York City strives to have a park or open space within a ten-minute walk of anywhere in the City. PlaNYC also establishes a variety of other environmental sustainability goals that will make the City an even more pleasant and eco-friendly place to live.

Expanding Public Access to the Waterfront
The City is working across the five boroughs to reclaim more of its waterfront areas for public enjoyment. For example, the East River Agenda is working to develop a planning process to increase waterfront access, develop more waterfront destinations and create a cleaner and more environmentally friendly East River. Organizations like the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance also complement the City’s commitment to waterfront development.