CENTRAL PARK — Though the weather certainly doesn't feel like spring, Central Park's 26 ballfields have opened this week to the public for the beginning of season play.
The Central Park Conservancy said the fields are subject to closure given that it's still early spring, and conditions can be sporadic.
"Wet conditions may still necessitate 'red flag' days, when flags are posted on the lawn perimeters denoting their closure. Wet conditions, like those common in early spring, make turf vulnerable to compaction and damage," the Conservancy said in an email.
The competition to use the scarce ballfield space is fierce: teams had to apply for a permit for field use between Nov. 15 through Jan. 15. The Parks Department gave first priority to youth and school teams, followed by teams that have previously held a permit, followed by the general public, according to a department spokeswoman.
While the schedule is already set for this season, which runs from from March 17 through Aug. 31, those who have time to play on a weekday morning stand a good chance of walking on, based on the current lineup.
You can check the full schedule here and download it.
The next period to apply for permits for the fall season begins April 15 and runs through June 15, according to the Parks Department.
