Let's get physical!

8 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: CREDIT HERE

Lyons Pool

PHOTOGRAPHS: PHOTOGRAPH: CREDIT COURTESY HERE DANIEL AVILA/NYC PARKS

LET’S GET PHYSICAL! Get your little Gothamite’s heart pumping this summer with swimming, surfing, cycling and more.

By Hannah Doolin

timeoutnewyorkk ds.com 9

Fitness

POOLS Tony DaPolito Rec Center Pool

Tony DaPolito Rec Center Pool Manhattan Beach

BEACHES Rockaway Beach

Lyons Pool

The wide-open layout of this Olympic-size swimming pool makes for a less claustrophobic experience than many of the city’s other watering holes. The St. George Ferry Terminal is just minutes from the facility, so don’t sweat the schlep to Staten Island. Older kids get free rein over the 3.5-foot-deep main pool, while the younger set bobs around in the nearby shallow wading area. Take high-energy rascals over to the basketball-court–size sprinkler area to run off some steam as surrounding hoses spray them down. Lyons Pool Recreation Center, 6 Victory Blvd, Staten Island (718-390-8019, nycgovparks.org).

Daily 11am–3pm, 4–7pm; free.

Tompkins Square Park Mini Pool

On any given sunny day, East Village families flood the lawns and benches of Tompkins Square Park, and the warmweather months provide even more reason to flock. At 40 feet by 20 feet, the shallow, three-foot-deep pool may be small, but it’s easily accessible, absolutely free and a one-stop shop for kids who want a bit of water play as well as time in the park. A playground, game tables, and basketball and handball courts will keep them running around all afternoon—just make sure to bring a sturdy combination lock to keep your belongings safe. With so many parkgoers milling around and the kids to keep an eye on, you want to have somewhere to stash 10 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com

your iPad and other valuables. Good news for dog owners: The family pooch can get a bit of exercise too! Canines get three bone-shaped pools to cool off in.

Tompkins Square Park, 500 E 9th St (212-387-6784, nycgovparks.org).

Daily 11am–3pm, 4–7pm; free.

McCarren Park Pool

Don’t fret over rumors of hours-long waits and hordes of overheated teens at this Williamsburg pool—since it reopened in 2012, the city has worked out some kinks and boosted the on-duty staff. Now, if you arrive early in the day, you’ll find a beautiful and spacious swimming pool with a safe, shallow area for youngsters and a deep end that reaches only three feet 10 inches.

Families can also take advantage of a sand volleyball court and indoor rec center, complete with fitness equipment, basketball court and weight room. Stick around for kid-friendly films or concerts at sundown on the SummerScreen stage (Bedford Ave at North 12th St; summerscreen.com). 776 Lorimer St, Brooklyn (718-218-2380, nycgovparks. org). Daily 11am–3pm, 4–7pm; free.

If your youngsters are looking for something more adventurous than just splashing in the waves, they can take their water play to the next level at Rockaway Beach. It’s the city’s only legal surfing beach, and thanks to Skudin Surf, Mom and Dad can rest easy as their little ones learn to hang ten. Professional, certified instructors help kiddos get on board with the way-cool water sport, teaching them everything from ocean safety to nailing a “pop up.” From Memorial Day through Labor Day, kids ages five to 15 can take individual or group lessons (daily $100) or weeklong surf camps (Mon–Fri 9am–1pm; $425).

After a day of running, paddling and riding waves, your rash-guard–clad sea stars will really be wiped out. Low-wave day?

Older kids (ages eight and up) can take a stab at stand-up paddling on the bay.

Skudin Surf School, Beach 67th St at Beach Front Rd, Queens (516-318-3993, skudinsurf.com)

Wolfe’s Pond Park Beach

Get some fresh air in your lungs and hit the trails as a family at this scenic Staten Island oasis. Check the Parks Department website beforehand to get the schedule of free hikes led by rangers, or set off on an unguided adventure with your brood.

Start at the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Cornelia Avenue, then meander through Wolfe’s Pond Park’s native forest. As you’re passing by glacial ponds, streams and wetlands, keep an eye out for marine life, like blue crabs and jellyfish, and birds

PHOTOGRAPHS: FROM TOP: COURTESY MALCOLM PINCKNEY/NYC PARKS; ALEX STRADA; ICONS: POOLS: CREATED BY YORLMAR CAMPOS; BEACHES: BY MILKY - DIGITAL INNOVATION FROM THE NOUN PROJECT

This West Village rec center has two midsize pools for families to paddle around in. The outdoor pool is free, but you’ll need to sign up for a membership card before you can use it, so be sure to bring ID. There’s a yearly fee if you want access to the indoor pool and facilities ($150, under 18, free). The membersonly policy might seem like a pain, and there can be lines to sign up, but it’s worth jumping through a few hoops to get an outdoor swimming spot that isn’t swarmed all summer long—plus, it’s the only one in the city that still has a diving board! Your little guppies will have a blast cannonballing into the 100-by-50foot pool, while everyone will enjoy Keith Haring’s playful artwork “Carmine Street Mural,” which he painted on the back wall in 1987—it makes a stunning frame to a cool city scene. 1 Clarkson St (212242-5228, nycgovparks.org). Indoor pool Mon–Fri 7am–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 9am– 4:30pm. Outdoor pool 11am–3pm, 4–7pm.

Fitness the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Enter at Shore Rd and 68th St, Brooklyn (nycgovparks.org)

Roosevelt Island

such as killdeers and sandpipers skittering along the water’s edge. When you’re done, hit the nearby basketball and tennis courts, have a picnic near the pond, or soak up some sun on the sandy beach, looking out over Raritan Bay. 245 Chester Ave, Staten Island (718-9848266, nycgovparks.org)

Hudson River Park Pier 25

Nothing seems like exercise when there’s sand between your toes, which is how Manhattan Youth gets tweens to spend their Friday nights breaking a sweat. The organization’s free beachvolleyball sessions are open to kids in grades 6 through 12, giving young athletes a chance to learn the basics of the game, run drills, practice technique and face off in friendly scrimmages on the regulation-size courts at Tribeca’s Pier 25. Parents can even get in on the action during drop-in community volleyball on Saturdays. Aside from getting their heart rate up, kids will learn teamwork and sportsmanship in a laid-back environment. Hudson River Park, Pier 25 (212-766-1104, ext 228; manhattanyouth.org). Friday Night Volleyball May 15–July 17 6:30–8:30pm (excludes Memorial Day weekend); free.

Community Volleyball Saturdays 11am–3pm; suggested donation $5, reservations required.

Manhattan Beach

Avoid the crowds of Brighton Beach, and kick back at its calmer seaside sister.

Manhattan Beach juts out from the same peninsula and boasts wide stretches of soft sand for families to romp around on.

Between dips, the kids can face off in a game of volleyball on the regulation-size courts and explore the 36-foot-long pirate ship outfitted with wooden planks, talk tubes, a cannon and a crow’s nest in the nautically themed Pat Perlato Playground.

Pack sneakers and sandals to take advantage of the space’s two handball courts and three basketball courts, then enjoy a picnic on or bring a barbecue to the northeast side of the promenade.

Oriental Blvd between Mac Kenzie St and Ocean Ave, Brooklyn (nycgovparks.org) 12 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com

BIKE PATHS Belt Parkway Promenade / Shore Parkway

Pedaling a bicycle on the streets of Manhattan can be terrifying, especially with kids bringing up the rear. Better to find spacious paths where they can roll along at their own speed. Running 4.5 miles along the Belt Parkway, the Bay Ridge stretch has a smooth bike lane for little cyclists. Head out for a ride at sunset, when you can catch incredible views of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge,

Pelham Bay Park

Coming in at more than three times the size of Central Park, the Bronx’s massive Pelham Bay Park is difficult to explore in its entirety. A set of wheels makes it easier and more fun, letting families see the green space from all angles via five miles of protected bike paths. Speed across the Pelham Bridge along either side of City Island Road, then make your way to Orchard Beach or continue on to the City Island Bridge. Don’t forget to keep Rockaway Beach

PHOTOGRAPH: FROM TOP: COURTESY CREATIVE COMMONS/FLICKR/CHRIS GOLDBERG; CREATIVE COMMONS / FLICKR / TRASHROCKX

Belt Parkway Promenade/Shore Parkway

Kids eager to ditch the training wheels don’t have to stay corralled in a parking lot to learn the ropes. Bike New York hosts free programs at locations in all five boroughs, including Roosevelt Island.

With gorgeous waterfront views and significantly less traffic than Manhattan, it’s a lovely spot to teach youngsters how to balance, pedal, stop and steer. The classes are BYOB (bring your own bike), so families should hop on the F train or load their bikes onto the Roosevelt Island Tramway for a scenic trip to the isle. The haul will seem well worth it when you’re whizzing along two miles of paved pathways with the East River all around.

Various locations and times; visit bike.nyc for details (212-870-2080)

Fitness

PLAYGROUNDS Hudson River Park Pier 51 Playground

Nestled along the Hudson in an unassuming corner of the Meatpacking District sits this marine-themed playground, providing interactive play for landlubbers and water babies alike.

Challenging climbing equipment, including monkey bars, a jungle gym and a spiral ramp leading up to a lofty pirate’s lookout, gets them moving, while water fixtures that spray cool streams from the ground and dump buckets from above keep them comfortable in the heat. Just don’t forget the towels, to avoid a soggy subway ride home! Pier 51 (212-6272020, hudsonriverpark.org)

Indian Road Playground

an eye out for wildlife like egrets and raccoons in the area’s forests and marshlands. From the Hutchinson River to the Long Island Sound, between Bronx County Line and Middletown Rd (nycgovparks.org)

through Bike and Roll’s Pier 1 stand.

(Old Fulton St, Brooklyn; 212-260-0400, bikenewyorkcity.com), with options for a one-hour ($8) or full-day ($25) pass. 334 Furman St, Brooklyn (718-222-9939, brooklynbridgepark.org)

Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway

Governors Island

The easiest way to discover Brooklyn’s waterfront is via the interconnected paths of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Greenway.

You’ll pedal past all matter of fun spots, from swings overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge at Pier 1 and a mini beach at Pier 4 to the ultimate picnic stop at Smorgasburg (Sundays) on Pier 5 and playgrounds galore at Pier 6 (see next page). Adult- and child-sized bikes and helmets—as well as trailers and seats for little ones—are available for rental

Just a quick ferry ride from lower Manhattan or Pier 6 in Brooklyn, this urban oasis has five miles of trails, plus killer views of the Manhattan skyline.

Board the ferry (bikes welcome), or rent kid- and adult-sized bicycles, trailers and bike surreys ($10–$45) from the Blazing Saddles station on the island. Go on weekday mornings (10am–noon) and snag a one-hour bike ride for free!

Governors Island Ferry at Battery Maritime Building, 10 South St (govisland.com) Brooklyn Bridge Park

Playground for All Children

14 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com

The Native American history of this spot will exercise your kid’s body and mind, and they’ll be set for hours of imaginative playtime. The structures at this Inwood Hill Park playground are inspired by the Lenape tribe that once inhabited the lower Hudson Valley. Little ones can work their muscles playing in a shaded sandpit, climb inside a giant wooden canoe, fly high on two sets of swings and dash through two sprinkler areas. After they work up a sweat on the dreamcatcherinspired jungle gym, take a stroll on nearby trails for a peek at the Henry Hudson Bridge with the breathtaking Palisades as a backdrop, relax on the 35-acre lawn or play a life-size game of tic-tac-toe, featuring pictures of wolves, turkeys and turtles. Inwood Hill Park, 610 W 218th St (nycgovparks.org)

Heckscher Playground

This massive compound has had a home in the southwestern corner of Central

PHOTOGRAPHS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: SAM POLCER; MARIELLE SOLAN; COURTESY MALCOM PINCKNEY/NYC PARKS

Bike New York Learn to Ride class

PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY ATLANTIC YACHTING; COURTESY VILLAGE COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE; ICON: CREATED BY GABRIEL COUSIN FROM THE NOUN PROJECT

Atlantic Yachting

Park since 1927, providing a fun-filled pit stop for families on summer days. Tots will have no shortage of objects to scale, with giant rocks all around and a mazelike structure comprised of bridges, moats and tunnels surrounding a climbing pyramid. Equip the kids with water-resistant footwear—as they work their way to the pyramid’s peak, they’ll slosh through a steady stream and won’t be able to resist stomping on the fountains that spray up from its base.

Enter park at 50 Central Park South (centralparknyc.org)

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 Playground

This waterfront wonderland of water, sand and swings is epic. Youngsters are guaranteed to break a sweat as they make their way through five sections of specialized play: Waterlab, Swing Valley, Sandbox Village, Slide Mountain and Marsh Garden. Starting at the field of water jets is a given, so swimmies are a must. After dancing in the spray and climbing the surrounding rocks, move on to the Tarzan ropes and swing sets to dry off. The two-story slides are next, as well as climbing structures resembling atomic-particle models and an enormous sandbox, complete with a wooden house and a train to explore. You’re going to be here for hours, so slather on the sunscreen, bring plenty of water, and save the quiet marsh garden for a relaxing final stop. Pier 6, 334 Furman St, Brooklyn (brooklynbridgepark.org)

Playground for All Children

This Queens play space, designed to accommodate children with and without

disabilities, was the first of its kind in the country in 1984. A network of wheelchairaccessible ramps connects jungle gyms, slides, swings and even a 12-foot-long suspension bridge. Kids can explore a mini village, complete with a fire station, a schoolhouse, a house with flower boxes, a fire engine and a bus. After discovering every little nook, they can take to the basketball courts to shoot some hoops while parents watch from amphitheater seating. Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens (nycgovparks.org) Village Community Boathouse

WATERFRONTS Manhattan Community Boathouse

City kids don’t often get to see the skyline from the water, but this free walk-up kayaking program at Hudson River Park’s

Pier 96 makes it easy to get afloat. Drop by anytime during the day on weekends (mid-May through October) or weeknight evenings (June through August) to nab lessons from volunteers, who will help little ones of all ages learn their forward stroke, turns and even kayak rescues.

The kayaks are sit-on-top boats, so dress accordingly (there are changing rooms and lockers on-site) and prepare to get wet—the Hudson can get surprisingly wavy! Hudson River Park, Pier 96 Boathouse (manhattancommunity boathouse.org). Mon–Fri 5–7pm; Sat, Sun 10am–6pm.

Hudson River Park Pier 25

Petite putters will step up their game at Manhattan’s only kid-friendly 18-hole minigolf course. On Pier 25’s open-air green, players are surrounded by embellishments like a pond, streams, footbridges, waterfalls, sand traps and even a cave—the only thing missing is the golf cart. Young Masters-in-training can drop in (no reservations necessary) from 10am to 10pm for friendly games throughout the season. Colorful balls plus clubs sized for little hands are available, ensuring that Mom and Dad don’t have to caddy. After a few rounds, your young golfers will be begging to try the driving range. Pier 25, 225 West St (212-766-1104, ext 228; hudsonriverpark .org). Drop-in game for children under 14 $5, 14 and up $6; cash only.

Village Community Boathouse (Prospect Park Lake)

Prospect Park Lake is free of winds, tides and large vessels to get in your water baby’s way, making it the perfect spot for timeoutnewyorkk ds.com 15

Fitness

Atlantic Yachting

Peanuts who dream about being pirates can get their sea legs aboard a 24-foot sailboat, where they’ll learn how to rig, sail and dock the vessel at the 79th Street Boat Basin. One-on-one instruction from a U.S. Coast Guard– licensed captain helps reassure parents onshore while their sailors steer through the Hudson’s waters, practicing water safety, maneuvering and trimming the sails. They’ll come ashore with extensive knowledge of nautical terminology, right-of-way rules and boat regulations, ready to recruit Mom or Dad as crew for their next voyage. 79th Street Boat Basin, W 79th St at the Hudson River (212-518-4604, atlanticyachting. com). Three-hour private lessons start at $450; additional parent or friend $50.

When booking, mention “Time Out Kids” to waive the extra fee for friends and family. Lessons offered on afternoons and weekends, visit website for more details. Ages 9–15.

LIC Community Boathouse / Socrates Sculpture Park Beach

Little water babies can propel themselves across the sheltered seas of Hallets Cove with guidance from the Long Island City Community Boathouse. Walk-up sessions are free and open to all ages and skill levels (though your kids must be able to swim), with plenty of sit-on-top kayaks and canoes available for loan. Parents and kids can share a vessel and make their way along Socrates Sculpture Park’s East River shoreline on select Saturdays and Sundays (1–4pm) from May 24 through September 5. Take in the sunset during a special Solstice Paddle on June 21 (2–6pm), or make a night of it during Outdoor Cinema Paddles (July 15, 29, Aug 12, 26 6pm–sunset), when families can also catch an outdoor screening in the park. Be sure to check the schedule before setting out. Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Queens (718956-1819, licboathouse.org). Free.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 2

Crocheron Park

The thought of your little one paddling around in a boat on the Hudson might induce some anxiety, but thanks to the free, citywide Urban Park Rangers canoeing programs they can test the waters in a safe, enclosed area. Kids (ages eight and up) will feel the satisfaction of navigating their own vessel on Crocheron Park’s freshwater Golden Pond, with trained instructors leading the way. The 2015 season kicks off in May, with the park’s first basic canoeing session of the year on Sunday 24 at 1pm (meet at Golden Pond, 35th Avenue near Corbett Road), but weekend programs will continue throughout the summer, in Crocheron and other NYC parks.

Crocheron Park, Queens (718-352-1769, nycgovparks.org). Free.

ROLLER RINKS Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 2

Exercise the old-school way, thanks to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s open-air roller rink, perched on the edge of the East River waterfront. You and the kids can strap on roller skates or blades for a few laps around the roomy arena, which just opened its doors last summer. Those without skates can rent a neon-bright pair on-site ($6–$7), and wobbly beginners might want to try a skate mate ($6 per session) until they get their balance. Once they’re skated out, there’s shuffleboard and bocce to try, or stick around until sunset to catch killer views of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan.

Budding ballers will marvel at the pier’s pristine basketball courts, where they can shoot hoops or get in on a pickup game on one of five courts. Pier 2 Roller Rink, 150 Furman St, Brooklyn (718-300-2401, brooklynbridgeskating.com)

Prospect Park LeFrak Center

Prospect Park LeFrak Center

16 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com

Prospect Park’s all-in-one recreation center effortlessly transitions from an icy wonderland in winter to a summer-fun hot spot for Brooklyn families. There’s a full day’s worth of entertainment, whether it’s biking along the park’s shaded paths or gliding on the 16,000-square-foot roller rink. Rent equipment on-site (pricing available online) and move at your own pace with the kids, or improve their skills in a roller-skating or rollerhockey class. Pack a swimsuit, because you won’t be able to duck out without dashing through the 41 sprinklers of the LeFrak Center’s awesome Splash Pad water feature (for under-12s). LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, 171 East Dr, Brooklyn (718-462-0010, lakesidebrooklyn.com)

PHOTOGRAPHS: FROM TOP: ETIENNE FROSSARD; FILIP WOLAK; ICON: CREATED BY ALEXANDR CHERKINSKY FROM THE NOUN PROJECT

a calming paddle. Small rowboats with lightweight oars make it easy to get around, and even kids with tiny triceps can jump in on the community rowing sessions on select Saturdays (noon– 4pm) and Thursdays (4–7pm) throughout the summer. Clip the tots into provided life jackets and take to the water for wide-open views of the sky, unimpeded by towering skyscrapers. Boats launch from the ramp on Wells House Drive, near the south end of the lake. When you’re back onshore, stop at Vanderbilt Playground before heading home.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn (212-229-2059, villagecommunityboathouse.org). Free.