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Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

Most of New York City is situated on islands. Manhattan, Staten Island, and Brooklyn and Queens—which are part of Long Island—are all surrounded by water. The newly developed Pier 35 offers an immersive experience of that nautical environment. The waterfront oasis on the Lower East Side provides a tangible sense of tidal choreographies and biodiversity, along with striking views of Brooklyn, great picnicking spots and space for contemplative pursuits like tai chi. To top it all off, there are porch swings.

The pier is the final piece in the redevelopment of the East River Waterfront Esplanade, a 2-mile-long stretch of gathering space, walkways, bikeways and other amenities. Designed by the architecture firm SHoP in collaboration with landscape architects Ken Smith Workshop, Pier 35 is a showcase for new thinking in urban sustainability.

In addition to a tidal estuary that is helping to restore habitat for mussels, the park space is bordered by a massive green wall that will be the largest such installation in the City. “We hope that, with this project, and the rest of our work on the East River Waterfront Esplanade, we can inspire a dialogue about the different ways to incorporate public space, and green space, into our communities,” says Cathy Jones, the lead architect for the project. Below, check out our guide to Pier 35’s key features.

Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

Mussel Beach

This area, so named “Mussel Beach” because of its role in restoring habitat for ribbed and blue mussels, is visible through an extensive cutout in the pier construction, close to the entrance, where a metal footbridge spans the concrete bed that slopes downward toward the river. The water noticeably rises during high tide and recedes during low tide (you can find timing predictions here).

Landscape designer Ken Smith notes that while some of the design touches—the pier’s dunes, lawns and folded metal screen at the back of the site—were devices for making the pier’s space feel bigger, “Mussel Beach makes the time feel bigger” because of the way it focuses visitors’ attention. “Normally in Manhattan, if you see the edge of the river at all, it’s static,” he says. “You don’t see it moving up and down.”

This is one of many areas in the development that exemplify its planners’ “prototyping” approach, in which smaller projects serve as tests for ideas that, once tested and proven effective, can be more widely implemented. If the mussels thrive at this estuary, says Smith, there could be “more robust installations elsewhere up and down the river.”

Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

Habitat Restoration

Mussels, oysters and other mollusks once were populous denizens of the Hudson River and surrounding areas until their numbers diminished in the early 20th century because of overharvesting, pollution and habitat degradation. In recent years, they’ve made a comeback as local groups have spearheaded restoration efforts like the Billion Oyster Project and the River Project on the Hudson River. Mussels, like oysters, remove toxins and pollutants from the water while helping to restore habitat for other marine creatures. They have an affinity for those liminal areas between dry land and open ocean, making the estuary an ideal habitat. According to the scientist tracking the Pier 35 site, the mussels have begun to repopulate there. Working in collaboration with an ecologist, Smith’s team made sure the underlying concrete was given a ridged texture that mussels like, and they carefully placed boulders on top so as to allow ideally sized crevices where the creatures would attach.

Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

Viral Vines

At over 300 feet long and 35 feet high in some places, the green wall is a showcase feature of Pier 35. Smith carefully chose the varieties of plants so they would be hardy enough to survive urban conditions and sufficiently aggressive to engulf the metal screen that forms their climbing wall—a process that will take an estimated two years. Smith selected Virginia creeper and Boston ivy—typically the plants that cover buildings on college campuses—for their mettle, adding in honeysuckle vine for fragrant flowers and trumpet vine for its pretty blossoms. The evergreen English ivy will be a constant as other vines change colors and fade during the fall and winter. The wall has several practical roles; its foliage moderates the air temperature here and hides the still-active DSNY building on the pier’s northern side.

Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

The Swings

Near the East River side of the pier, on a raised platform, are four metal porch swings suspended from a canopy. The elevation allows for spectacular views of the water, the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, across the river into Dumbo and Williamsburg, and south along the esplanade. The swings have already proven to be a popular attraction. “We think of the area that houses the swings as the City’s ‘front porch,’” says Jones. “Since you are above grade and above obstructions such as railings, you get the feeling that you’re suspended in the middle of the river.”

Courtesy, Ken Smith Workshop

Lighting

The nighttime lighting at Pier 35 was designed to enhance the location’s comfort and fit into the site’s sustainable design. The lights are highly efficient, long-lasting LEDs. Lighting installations subtly integrated into the wood bench seating provide the area with a warm glow, highlighting spaces to gather and sit. Brighter LED floodlights are used to light the green wall, and the strategic absence of light in some spots is as notable as its presence. Instead of the “pedestrian poles” typically used along the waterfront’s perimeter—as they are on the Hudson River side—the lights at the pier are all located away from the water’s edge, ensuring that viewers will have gorgeous, unobstructed views when looking out.

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Why You Should Visit Pier 35 on the East River

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The attraction features public space, sustainable design and stunning views.

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Free City Park Summer Concerts

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Things to Do > All Events > Free Summer Concerts

Musicians from around the world are coming to New York's parks to perform. Rock, folk, jazz, hip hop, classical, world-no matter what your style is, there's a performance for you.

Free Summer Concerts Events

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NYC Parks is the source of free outdoor events. From concerts, movies, sports and fitness, to events for kids and seniors, there's always something to do in a park near you. Musicians from around the world are coming to New York's parks to perform.

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The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

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Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer

The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers enjoying friends, family, and music under the stars, for free! This summer Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducts two iconic masterpieces - Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man - plus a potpourri of overtures by Rossini and J. Strauss II, and works by NY Phil Very Young Composers.

All outdoor performances begin at 8:00 PM and are followed by fireworks. The Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island begins at 4:00 PM.

For weather and other updates, call the Concert Information Hotline at (212) 875-5709.

The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks are presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer.

Major support for the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers Program is provided by Susan and Elihu Rose.

Concerts in the Parks are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Activities are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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Classical Music Concerts in NY Parks | New York Philharmonic

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Outdoor concerts from the New York Philharmonic - an iconic New York summer experience since 1965. See the schedule and visit the Official Site.

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All the free museums days in NYC you should know about

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You don't have to pay full price to visit your favorite museum when you can save on admission during the best free museum days in NYC.

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National Museum of the American Indian. Photo: Julienne Schaer

These New York City museums are either always free, free on specific days of the week or free for select hours. Find one near you, and take advantage of their generosity.

Note that this takes into account general admission only; certain events and special exhibitions may still require a fee.

BRIC House. Photo: Liz Ligon

Always Free

Sometimes Free

The following museums typically require paid admission but open their doors for free on specific days or times—though again, some do charge for admission to specific events or sections. Be sure to consult their websites or call ahead if you hope to see a specific exhibition.

Photo: Julienne Schaer

Mondays

Photo: Marley White

Tuesdays

Photo: Julienne Schaer

Wednesdays

Brooklyn Children's Museum. Photo: Julienne Schaer

Thursdays

Courtesy, The Museum of Modern Art

Fridays

The Jewish Museum. Photo: Alex Lopez

Saturdays

The Morgan Library and Museum. Photo: Graham Haber

Sundays

Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

Seasonal

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Free NYC Museums: Cool Free Museums In NYC

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These NYC museums are free today, on specific days or at certain times. Find one near you.

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International Museum of Photography Museum: On Thursdays, pay as you wish from 6 PM – 9 PM. Timed tickets are required.

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International Museum of Photography Museum: On Thursdays, pay as you wish from 6 PM – 9 PM. Timed tickets are required.

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden: pay as you wish in the winter on weekdays – Call ahead.

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden: pay as you wish in the winter on weekdays – Call ahead.

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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: pay as you wish on Saturdays from 4 pm – 6 pm and select Saturdays (free all day). 

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Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: pay as you wish on Saturdays from 4 pm – 6 pm and select Saturdays (free all day). 

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Whitney Museum of American Art: On Fridays, pay as you wish from 7 PM – 10 PM.

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Whitney Museum of American Art: On Fridays, pay as you wish from 7 PM – 10 PM.

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Morgan Library and Museum: On Fridays, it is free to visit from 5 PM until 7 PM – reservation required. 

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Morgan Library and Museum: On Fridays, it is free to visit from 5 PM until 7 PM – reservation required. 

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New Museum of Contemporary Art: pay what you wish from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday. Timed tickets are required.

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New Museum of Contemporary Art: pay what you wish from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday. Timed tickets are required.

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The Met: its pay what you wish (NY, NJ, and CT Residents)

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The Met: its pay what you wish (NY, NJ, and CT Residents)

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American Museum of Natural History: pay what you wish only in person at the ticket counter (NY, NJ, and CT Residents)

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American Museum of Natural History: pay what you wish only in person at the ticket counter (NY, NJ, and CT Residents)

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The MoMA: Free for New York Residents on the first Friday of the month from 4 PM – 8 PM

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The MoMA: Free for New York Residents on the first Friday of the month from 4 PM – 8 PM

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Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Things to Do > All Events > Free Summer Movies

Noir, romance, action, sci-fi, and comedy--Parks has movie screenings for all types of film buffs.

Free Summer Movies Events

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NYC Parks is the source of free outdoor events. From concerts, movies, sports and fitness, to events for kids and seniors, there's always something to do in a park near you. There are lots of free movies that play in New York City's outdoor parks every summer. Find out what's playing near you.

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Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy on 8 special Thursdays, July through August 2022! This season will return for its 22nd season with the theme " Around the World." The full lineup will be announced soon.

Doors open at 6pm and the movie begins at sundown (around 8:30pm). Smorgasburg will provide food and drinks all evening along the Pier 1 promenade and beer and wine concessions will be available for purchase for adults 21 and over.

The pre-movie lineup includes a DJ brought to you by Brooklyn Radio, and a short film by local filmmakers, selected by BAMcinématek.

Free bike valet will be available thanks to Transportation Alternatives.
Subscribe to our email list and be the first to know about upcoming events and Park announcements.

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Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy on 8 special Thursdays, July through August 2022! This season will return for its 22nd season with the theme " Around the World." The full lineup will be announced soon. Doors open at 6pm and the movie begins at sundown (around 8:30pm).

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Important Service Changes
There is a citywide curfew in effect through Monday, June 8. It will take effect from 8pm until 5am each day.
NYC Parks is making important service changes. Find out more about our additional safety precautions, program cancellations, and potential closures before you head to a park or recreation center.

For more information, please visit our Service Announcements page.

Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Activities and Facilities > Beaches

Coronavirus-Related Service Changes

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, New York City's beaches are closed for swimming until further notice.
Walking, running, exercising, and access to the sand and boardwalk are still permitted during regular park hours. Restrooms are open during regular hours.

If you visit the beach, please observe the following service changes:

Please limit the length of your visit

Please practice social distancing and wear a face covering

Barbecuing & grilling, gatherings and organized sports are prohibited

Drinking fountains are closed

To enforce social distancing restrictions, patrons will be asked to park in every other space in municipal parking lots. At beaches with food services, only to-go service will be available, and online ordering will be used whenever possible.

Parks maintains 14 miles of beaches. Beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through September 8, 2019. During beach season, lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags. All of our beaches are free and open to the public.

Beach Statuses

Sign up for Notify NYC, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's New York City Area Beaches page for water quality advisories or closures before you head to the beach, or text BEACH to 877-877 to receive real-time opening, closing and water quality information.

What Beach Are You?

Take our Beach Quiz to find out which New York City beach is most like you, then plan a visit!

Search Beaches and Related Swim Programs and Leagues

South Beach

On Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach, Staten Island

Beachgoers can sunbathe while taking in a lovely view of the Verazzano Bridge, bike through a scenic trail, jog along the boardwalk, kayak, play tennis, or fish off of the Ocean Breeze Fishing...
South Beach Details

Swimming in NYC

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There is a citywide curfew in effect through Monday, June 8. It will take effect from 8pm until 5am each day. NYC Parks is making important service changes. Find out more about our additional safety precautions, program cancellations, and potential closures before you head to a park or recreation center.

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Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Activities and Facilities > Outdoor Pools

NYC's outdoor pools have closed for the season and will re-open June 28, 2022.

Every day during our summer pool season, thousands of visitors head to our city's free public outdoor pools. Learn more about our pools, and dive in to find an outdoor pool near you!

All pool patrons will be required to wear a face mask to enter the pool facility. Face masks must be worn in locker rooms, bathrooms, and on the pool deck. They are not to be worn in the water.

Cool Pools

Check out our Cool Pools and their fun amenities.

Learn about our Cool Pools initiative

Pool Hours

Outdoor pool hours are from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily, with a break for pool cleaning between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mini pools are closed on Tuesdays.

Free Swim Programs

Find out more about our learn to swim program, lap swim hours, our youth swim team, and programs for seniors and people with disabilities.
Learn more about free swim programs
Looking for our free Learn to Swim program? Find out more by visiting our Learn to Swim registration page.

Know Before You Go

What to Wear

You'll need to have a swimsuit to enter the pool area. We may choose to check men's shorts for a lining if we can't tell if they are wearing a bathing suit. Feel the need to cover up from the sun? Throw on a plain white shirt or white hat and you're set. We don't allow shirts with colors on them on the deck. And remember to wear sunscreen! We provide free sunscreen to city pools across the five boroughs.

Information for Parents

Thinking of bringing floaties? It's safer to leave them at home and just stay in the shallow end of the pool until everyone learns to swim. Want to venture deeper? Try some of our free swimming classes.

Babies or toddlers can put on swim diapers before they head into the water. While we may be able to find a place to park your stroller, we can't keep an eye on it for you, so bring it at your own risk.

What to Bring

Make sure you have a sturdy lock when you head out to the pool. It will keep your valuables safe, and let you hit the water feeling more secure about your belongings. Locks are required to enter, and we will not accept luggage locks.

What Not to Bring

You'll need to leave food, glass bottles, electronic devices, and newspapers at home. Unbound periodicals tend to blow around and create litter, food can be messy to clean up after, and there's too much water around to make sure your electronics stay safe. Just to be on the safe side, we also recommend leaving valuables like jewelry and credit cards at home.

= Indicates that the pool includes a wheelchair accessible ramp or lift.

Locations

Fort Totten Pool

338 Story Avenue

Outdoor Diving Pool
Dimensions: 35' x 35' x 10.5'

Outdoor Wading Pool
Dimensions: 20' (round) x 1.5'

Fort Totten Pool Details

Lyons Pool

Pier 6 and Victory Boulevard

Outdoor Wading Pool

Outdoor Diving Pool

Lyons Pool Details

Free Swim Programs

Find out more about free aquatics programs in Parks.

Take free swimming classes at Parks.

Indoor Pools

Want to swim in a pool all year long? Browse our list of recreation centers with pools, and become a member today.

Be WaterSafe

Stay safe near and in the water. Here are 10 Tips to Stay Water Safe in New York City.

Related Information

Beaches
Parks Swim Programs
Spray Showers
BeFitNYC: Find fitness facilities, programs, and leagues in your neighborhood!
The History of Parks' Swimming Pools

Swimming in NYC

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Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Activities and Facilities > Outdoor Pools NYC's outdoor pools have closed for the season and will re-open June 28, 2022. Every day during our summer pool season, thousands of visitors head to our city's free public outdoor pools.

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Free Kayaking in NYC

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Free Kayaking at Pier 96

in Hudson River Park

Starting Memorial Day Weekend May 28–29, 2022
Open Saturdays & Sundays from12PM - 6PM

FREE TO THE PUBLIC | RUN BY VOLUNTEERS | FUNDED BY DONATIONS

Plan Your Visit

HOW IT WORKS

Kayaking with us is always free!

We supply everything you need: A lifejacket, a paddle, a single or two-person kayak, and a locker for anything you’d like to keep dry.

Paddlers must stay within the boundaries of our protected cove.

We ask that participants return to the dock after 20 minutes if there are others waiting in line.

Requirements

A waiver of liability is part of your online reservation, and must be completed by each participant (or their parent/guardian).

Participants must be at least 18 years old and know how to swim.

Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and minors over 50 pounds must know how to swim.

An adult must be present with minors at all times, and children may not be left on the pier unsupervised.

All paddlers under the age of 16 must share a kayak with an adult.

A maximum of two paddlers (including children) is allowed in any one kayak.

For the safety of our volunteers, masks are required while on the pier.

Helpful Hints

Reservations are not required but you can book a kayak up to two weeks in advance using the form below.

Kayaking is suitable for people of all ages and athletic abilities.

You will get wet in our boats, so be sure to dress accordingly! We have changing rooms if you would like to bring something dry to wear home.

Bags and backpacks are not allowed on the water and must be secured in a locker.

The closest public restroom is at DeWitt Clinton Park (enter at West 54th Street and Eleventh Avenue). We do not have public restrooms.

If you are arriving by bicycle, remember to bring a lock! Bikes must be secured in Clinton Cove Park and will not be monitored by boathouse volunteers.

Be sure to allow time for waiting in line when planning your visit; we can’t guarantee that you will have a chance to kayak if you arrive less than an hour before we close.

We cannot accommodate pets.

Location

Pier 96 Boathouse
56th Street in Hudson River Park

If we have to close for any reason, we’ll announce it on Twitter. Follow @kayakmcbh for the latest news:

Mark your calendar: Free kayaking at Pier 96 starts on Memorial Day weekend and we want to see you and your friends… https://t.co/TPGl3Dc5Nc

May 11, 2022, 9:27 PM

Make a Reservation

This reservation includes a waiver of liability, and must be completed by the participant or their parent/guardian.

If two adults would like to paddle in a two-person kayak together, each adult should sign-up separately for the same time slot.

We have a limited number of 1 Adult + 1 Child reservations available to accommodate families. Adults who make a reservation as 1 Adult + 1 Child and arrive without a child may not be admitted.

Multiple reservations for the same day will be cancelled to make room for other paddlers.

Volunteer

JOIN OUR TEAM

We’re always looking for more friendly and responsible individuals to join our all-volunteer team! Complete the form below to find out about our next orientation session and receive our weekly volunteer newsletter.

Membership

Our Board of Directors is determined by election and members with at least two consecutive years of paid membership are eligible to participate. You can become a member for the calendar year by making a donation of $20 using the link below. Membership is not a requirement for volunteering or kayaking.

Donations

ONLINE DONATIONS

One hundred percent of your donation will be used to fund our free kayaking program. All donations are tax-deductible.

Donating EQUIPMENT

If you would like to donate a kayak, paddle, life jacket or other piece of equipment to our program, please use the “Contact Us” form at the bottom of this page and let us know the make, model, condition and quantity of items you would like to donate.

Contact Us

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Manhattan Community Boathouse - Free Kayaking in NYC

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Manhattan Community Boathouse is a nonprofit organization that provides free kayaking in New York City, at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park. Kayaking at MCBH is free to the public, run by volunteers, and funded by donations.

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Join us on Saturday, October 21 for two special guided tours of Little Island in celebration of Open House New York.

12:00 p.m. - Learn about the history of Pier 54 and Little Island's connection to our local community from members of our education and community relations team. Click here to learn more.

6:00 p.m. - Learn about Little Island's nighttime lighting with the team from our partner FMS Lighting. Click here to learn more.

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Little Island is a new public park where all New Yorkers and visitors can experience nature and art in a unique urban oasis on the Hudson River.

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Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

Things to Do > All Events > Best for Kids

NYC Parks offers a multitude of events, programs and activities made with kids especially in mind. Children will have plenty to keep them active throughout the year no matter what their interests.

Best for Kids Events

To FILTER events, use the menu on the right-hand side. Currently viewing 254 events
from May 24, 2022 to September 10, 2022
in Bronx (x)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center , Bronx

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center , Bronx

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Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Things to Do > All Events > Best for Kids NYC Parks offers a multitude of events, programs and activities made with kids especially in mind. Children will have plenty to keep them active throughout the year no matter what their interests.