Run Every Park

(2014)

Ok not EVERY Park as there are over 1,700 City parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities in NYC.  I did manage to run and “visit” 350 Parks properties in the five boroughs.  Park-runs included the perimeter of large parks; the runnable interior of medium parks, and as much as possible around or through small parks and playgrounds.  For linear properties, such as the boardwalks in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island; and the High Line in Manhattan I ran the length.  

A typical Parks-run would start at one large or medium size park, through city streets to several others and finish at a designated park. Along the way, I developed a great appreciation for NYC Parks and the work they do.  And I fell in love with Parks in NYC.     

Brooklyn

114 Parks

Top 3

1) Maria Hernandez

2) Calvert Vaux

3) Lincoln Terrace

Queens Parks

71 parks

Top 3

1) Kissena (overall Best-in-Show)

2) Juniper Valley

3) Bowne

(best neighborhood park)

Bronx

83 parks

Top 3

1) Starlight

2) St. Mary’s

3) Ewen

staten island

10 parks

Top 3

1) Silver Lake (third-best overall)

2) Great Kills

3) Clove Lake

Manhattan

80 parks

Top 3

1) Inwood Hill (second-best overall)

2) Morningside

3) James Madison Plaza

SUPERLATIVES LISTS

Best Emerald Strings

Kissena > Corridor > Cunningham (QN)

Ft. Tryon > Inwood Hill > Isham (MN)

Jerome > Aqueduct Walk > Devoe (BX)

Best Views

Sunset Park (BK)

Most Challenging Run

St. Nicholas Park (MN)

Most Active / Hard-bodies

Wingate Park (BK)

Best Natural Terrain (tie)

J Hood Wright Park (MN)

Echo Park (BX)

Best Water Fountain

Gorman Park (MN)

Best Water Features

Clove Lake (SI)

Best New Park

Barretto Point (BX)

Best Run

Flushing Meadows/Corona Park (QNs) 5K, 10K, 15K routes around and through the park. Flat terrain, cool breezes, BBQ and music and great views

Worst Park

No such thing as a bad park