Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

10 Outdoor Activities in Upper West Side Parks This Summer

 Out on the water with the Atlantic Yachting Club, which is based off Riverside Park.
Out on the water with the Atlantic Yachting Club, which is based off Riverside Park.
View Full Caption
Facebook/AtlanticYachtingNYC

UPPER WEST SIDE — Sandwiched between Central and Riverside parks, the Upper West Side is spoiled as far as green space goes.

Locals looking to make the most of the neighborhood and its abundant open space would do well to check out these 10 summer activities taking place in and around the parks.

Boot Camp in Central Park

Instead of breathing in funky gym air, take your workout outside with one of the many "boot camps" held at different times and days in the park. Central Park Fitness's classes take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., as well as 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Classes last for an hour with a mix of running, strength exercises, speed and agility drills, and ab workouts. A single class costs $25, while six go for $125.

Tennis Lessons in Riverside Park

This is the year you will finally learn to play tennis. The Riverside Clay Tennis Association holds private one-hour lessons for $75 and semi-private lessons for $45. If you want to hit some balls with a friend or three, you can get a single-play permit for $15 from city's Department of Parks and Recreation or buy a $15 day pass on location from the RCTA.

Foraging Tours in Central Park

"Wildman" Steve Brill will make you fall in love with the city all over again. The quirky naturalists hosts hands-on foraging tours, teaching city slickers about the wealth of edible and medicinal plants growing in city parks. Throughout the year, Brill hosts about two tours each month in Central Park. The four-hour walking tour costs $25.

Tai Chi in Riverside Park

Take a free Tai Chi lesson on Sundays at 8 a.m. in Riverside Park. Tai Chi is a slow moving martial art that surprisingly gets your muscles working hard. The class meets at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument Plaza near West 89th Street, and event host Riverside Park Conservancy suggests bringing sunscreen and comfortable clothing.

Actors' Workout Class in Riverside Park

If you're up for a dose of Shakespeare with your exercise, the Actors' Workout Class is for you. Not only will the class teach stage combat, there is also acting instruction and voice production. Participants meet at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument on June 18, July 16 and Aug. 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each class has a $10 suggested donation.

Birding Tours in Central Park

Dr. Robert DeCandido, or “Birding Bob,” has hosted birding tours for more than 20 years. You can catch one of the tours most mornings in Central Park for $10. While it is best to bring your own binoculars, “Birding Bob” sometimes provides additional binoculars to rent for $10.

Croquet in Central Park

After a long day at work, why not grab a mallet and head to the lawn for some old-fashioned fun? The New York Croquet Club hosts open play most Mondays to teach newcomers the game. The no-obligation evening will also give you a chance to consider membership in the club. Central Park's croquet lawn is located to the north of Sheep Meadow across near West 69th Street.

Art Gallery Tour in Riverside Park

Starting next week and running through to May 2017, Riverside Park will host seven sculptures from the Art Students League Model to Monument open-air art project. There will be a opening ceremony at 4 p.m. on June 16.

Landscape Painting in Central Park

David Pena will host private art classes anywhere in the city, but he suggests Central Park as the ideal setting for landscape work. A two-and-a-half-hour class costs $120, and three hours goes for $160. During the session, Pena will walk you through the fundamentals of creating a hangable landscape painting for your home. Materials are not supplied, but Pena sends a list of what is required ahead of time.

Sailing Lessons off Riverside Park

The Atlantic Yachting Club is located at the Boat Basin in Riverside Park at West 79th Street. You can either get a private lesson, a lesson for you and friends, or join a small group class of four students. The basic Keelboat class runs for two days on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will learn a host of sailing skills — from how to properly rig a sailboat and reading nautical charts to the four basic maneuvers of a sailboat. A weekend of sailing starts at $425 per person.