🎾 Parks permits, the big public centers and indoor courts · checked 12 October 2026
Tennis in New York
From April to November you need an NYC Parks permit to play on a city court: $15 for a single hour, $100 for the season. Hudson River Park’s courts need none. In winter the city courts close and play moves under bubbles and indoors, at hourly rates.
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7details we couldn’t confirm →Free public courts
- Free
Central Park Tennis Center
Central Park (93rd St, west side)
PricePermit; reservations $15/court/hrCourts26 clay + 4 hardLightsHowDaily sign-up from 6:30am, or reserve 1–30 days ahead.Was this right when you went?93rd St near West Drive, Central ParkDetails ↗ - Free
Riverside Park — 96th St clay
Upper West Side
PricePermit; reservations $15/court/hrCourts10 clayLightsHowWalk up with a permit, or reserve online.Was this right when you went?Riverside Dr & W 96th StDetails ↗ - Free
Hudson River Park — Pier 40
West Village / Hudson Square
Weekdays 3:30–5:30pm go to school groups in term time.
PriceFree, no permitCourts3 hardLightsHowFirst come, first served; one hour when others wait.When6am–1amWas this right when you went?Near Pier 40, at W Houston StDetails ↗ - Free
Cunningham Tennis Center
Fresh Meadows, Queens
PricePermit outdoors; bubbled courts rented in winterCourts20 hard (10 bubbled in winter)LightsHowPermit walk-up or online reservation.Was this right when you went?196-00 Union TpkeDetails ↗ - Free
Charles Kasper Courts (Walker Park)
West Brighton, Staten Island
PricePermitCourts6LightsHowPermit walk-up.Was this right when you went?Bard Ave & Delafield PlDetails ↗
Paid: clubs, lessons and booked courts
- Paid
Prospect Park Tennis Center
Parade Ground, Brooklyn
PricePermit for the outdoor permit courts; bubble courts rented in winter (rates on the booking site)Courts11 clay, bubbled in winterLightsHowBook up to a week ahead online or on (718) 436-2500.When6am–11pmWas this right when you went?50 Parkside AveDetails ↗ - Paid
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Flushing Meadows, Queens
Where the US Open is played.
PriceOutdoor $42/hr; indoor $42–$82/hr by time; ball machine $18/hrCourtsIndoor and outdoor hard courtsLightsYesHowBook online up to 2 days ahead; photo ID and waiver.When7am–11pmWas this right when you went?Flushing Meadows Corona ParkDetails ↗ - Paid
Cary Leeds Center (Crotona Park)
Crotona Park, Bronx
PriceOutdoor $33–$44/hr; indoor (Oct–Apr) $36–$105/hr by timeCourts20–22 hard; 15 outdoor free with a permit in seasonLightsHowBook online or on 718-247-7420.Was this right when you went?1720 Crotona Ave, Bronx, NY 10457Details ↗
Permits and booking
- A permit is needed on outdoor NYC Parks courts from the first Saturday in April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Source
- Season permits: adults $100 (10% off with IDNYC), seniors 62+ $20, under-18s $10. Single play: $15 for one hour on any court; doubles get two hours. Source
- Buy season permits online (mailed, up to 3 weeks) or same day in person, including at the Arsenal (830 Fifth Ave) and Paragon Sports (867 Broadway). Source
- Online reservations: $15 per court per hour, up to 7 days ahead, at Alley Pond, Central Park, Cunningham, East River Park, McCarren, Mill Pond, Queensboro Oval, Randall’s Island and Riverside (96th and 119th). Every player still needs a permit. Source
- Most courts open 8am to dusk (Central Park from 7am). Smooth-soled shoes; six balls per court at most. Source
Winter and indoor
No permit indoors
Indoor tennis needs no Parks permit and runs through the winter. Cheapest early mornings and late evenings.
Bubbles
Prospect Park (11 clay), Cunningham (10) and Cary Leeds put up bubbles for the cold months; book a week ahead.
- Older NYC Parks PDFs still show a $200 season permit; the current permits page says $100.
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