Battle of the Parks™Pickleball

New York City · Upper West Side

Riverside Park

Olmsted drew the park. We work the angles.

Momos · CC BY-SA 3.0

Claim your park Caught a miss? Call the line

Opening

In early July 2023, Riverside Park Conservancy (with NYC Parks) installed five dedicated outdoor courts on previously little-used cement between the skate park and basketball, without displacing those sports. Players found the soft opening; the official celebration landed July 25, 2023 (ice cream, paddle raffle; offices of Danny O’Donnell, Linda Rosenthal, and Mark Levine thanked).

Conservancy President Merritt Birnbaum had previewed the plan earlier that year. Ballfields Crew maintains the courts; there’s a portable bathroom at 110th. Culture: free scenic Upper West Side alternative to pricey Midtown bookings (wind off the Hudson, highway noise, and courts that fill fast).

Riverside Park Conservancy · West Side Rag

Today

Five outdoor hard courts. Free. When the courts are full, locals run a paddle baskets: stack in, play 4 on / 4 off. Winners don’t stay. Solo paddles get grouped with the next three. One court runs as a challenge court. No lights; play ends at sunset. Hudson wind is real. Heavier outdoor balls help.

Organized leagues or gatherings of 20+ need a ballfield permit (Conservancy). Community email: [email protected].

Stack the rack. Clear after 11. River wind included.

Conservancy facilities

The People

  • Merritt Birnbaum President, Riverside Park Conservancy (contemporaneous)

    Previewed and advanced the five-court plan with NYC Parks.

  • Ballfields Crew Maintenance

    Conservancy crew that keeps the courts playable.

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