St. John’s Recreation Center in Brooklyn. Image Credit: Google Maps.
On October 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced that nine recreation centers across the five boroughs expanded their operating hours. This increase was made possible with $7.1 million in funding by Mayor Adams in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.
Recreation centers with expanded hours will now offer additional programming, including the Saturday Night Lights program, for city youth. Organized in conjunction with NYPD, the Department of Youth and Community Development, the Department of Education, and the city’s five District Attorney’s Offices, Saturday Night Lights gives young people in underserved communities a productive place to gather during evening hours. Saturday Night Lights participants receive free membership at all recreation centers citywide, allowing them access to a wide array of programs and activities.
Expanded hours will also support other programming, including double dutch, basketball, strength training, volleyball, and board game tournaments.
Parks has 36 total recreation centers citywide, offering a range of programs for New Yorkers of all ages. Citywide memberships are $150/year for adults ages 25-61, $25/year for veterans, seniors, and those living with disabilities, and cost-free for young people 24 and under.
The nine recreation centers and their new hours are:
Bronx
- Hunts Point Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Kwame Ture Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Brooklyn
- John’s Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – Midnight; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Manhattan
- Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Hansborough Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Highbridge Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Queens
- Roy Wilkins Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sorrentino Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Staten Island
- Lyons Recreation Center: Monday to Friday 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson praised the expanded hours at recreation centers in their respective boroughs. City Council Members Carmen de la Rosa and Kamillah Hanks also spoke in support of increased hours at recreation centers located within their districts.
Commissioner Donoghue stated, “These nine recreation centers are anchors for the neighborhoods they serve — and now New Yorkers of all ages will have expanded access to them on evenings and weekends. Thanks to $7.1 million in new funding from Mayor Adams, people who live in the areas most impacted by COVID-19 will benefit from safe, welcoming spaces and positive programming. And we’re proud to partner with sister agencies to expand the Saturday Night Lights program, which has proved to have positive and lasting impacts on our youth.”
Mayor Adams stated, “Through our $7.1 million investment in expanded hours for recreation center, we are providing New Yorkers in all five boroughs positive programming and a safe space to grow, learn, and build community. Saturday Night Lights is a hallmark of this administration’s investments and our commitment to free, high-quality activities for our youth, and I’m proud that these expanded hours will connect even more young people to this program.”
By: Cassidy Strong (Cassidy is a CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2024.)
Mayor Adams, NYC Parks Announce $7.1 Million in Funding to Expand Hours at Nine Recreation Centers Citywide, October 3, 2022