- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Astoria Park
Rating Details »
Category: Parks
Neighborhood: Long Island City19-00 Hoyt Ave N
23rd Rd to Hoyt Ave S
Astoria, NY 11106
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
48 reviews for Astoria Park
yet another astoria gem, perhaps the crown jewel. what shieva r. said.
most work mornings you can find me at the track, doing my stretches and exercises before work. its calming, next to the water, and sends me to work in a good state of mind.
how many times have i biked by here on my way back or forth and found some fun event happin'? music, plays, fests, or simply picnics.
WED mornings t'ai ch'i still happening in the cold, 7a, at or about.
little girl's favorite playground. the pool is popular, and looks good, but we've not carved out the time to figure out the gig. it seems there are "shifts" of swimmers, so you stand in line whilst the previous group gets cleared.
I LOVE ASTORIA PARK! IT'S AMAZING!
Why?
Astoria park is the place I learned to swim and now there are art shows and after hours weekend hang outs. This is place the place to be to relax in the day and chill with your friends at night. This area is very safe and the locals tend to keep it that way. Everyone knows everyone because it's very European. The people here are very friendly, if you encounter a non friendly person - they're not a resident.
I feel like there isn't as enough grass & trees as there used to be here. I hope that changes and they plant some more. Coming here for picnics, taking my little cousins out here to ride their bikes, speed walk (since I can't run. thanks asthma) is a great way to spend your day or start your day.
Whenever I need a place to clear my mind I get a take-out, park my car under the bridge in the parking lot, look at the beautiful manhattan view with sparkling lights. Most of the time I come here late at night when my boyfriend and I argue and I need to relax because if it wasn't for Astoria Park I would've been all over the National News as "IRON WOMAN" the woman who beat her boyfriend up with a clothing iron.
astoria park POOL tips:
-try getting to the pool very, very early. the earlier the better!
-LONG LINES: yes there is a very long line time passes
-Surviving the LONG LINE: Relax, listen to your iPOD, talk to your friends/family
just remember once you get into that pool you will feel very refreshed since you're overlooking the hudson river and swimming in a pool it's like "YAY! I'M SPLASHING MY BODY IN WATER DURING THE MELTY/STICKY WEATHER"
Oh also: Bring a combination if you're going to the pool, they have lockers
Apply Water proof sunscreen/sunblock before coming here
Pack Light: Don't overpack just bring water, a towel to dry yourself, a towel to sit on or blanket, sunscreen/sunblock if it's not waterproof and a mini body wash to rinse yourself before entering the water or after, a mini wallet , your keys, cellphone, wear your sunglasses.
My suggestion is keep your valuables in the locker but make sure you have a MASTER lock brand or better because cheap locks-- all i have to say is, better safe then sorry.
anyway my best advice, save the pool if you have kids or for social reasons or if you really want to swim ASAP otherwise the line can get intimidating but socializing helps.
Amazing park!!! So beautiful, right off the water with bridges overhead everywhere!!!
I may sound crazy, but why go to Central Park when there's Astoria Park???
I agree with most of the reviewers who agree with me, its a good place. Its my new running spot :)
For the city that never sleeps, we do have some amazing public parks. Astoria park is no exception. Located north of the tri-boro, lining the east river, astoria park has sizeand space, ball fields, a pool and one of the best views of the city.
While I didn't grow up playing in Astoria Park (CP was my park growing up), that doesn't mean I don't have love for it. Best part of the ample space the park provides is summer time entertainment by way of music concerts and showings of film and documentaries.
I managed to get out a few nights ago for a viewing of a Nat Geo show on the human family tree, filmed in Astoria. It was a great show, made better surrounded by other Astorians made even better by not feeling crammed laying out like in Central Park events or other parks around the city.
*****5 stars A great park is only fitting for a great neighborhood. I just wish i had more time (and motivation) to start getting more active in running and the like!
Tennis Courts - Check!
Nice Views - Check!
Cool workout stations - Check!
BBQ spots - Check!
A lawn to tan on - Check!
A pool - Check!
Great track - Check!
Hot people running on the track - Double Check!
There's more, but I think I've made my point :)
This is one of the better parks in astoria...i have been living here for almost 3 years and I find going for a run, bicycling or having a picnic very relaxing ...especially while overlooking manhatten/ jfk bridge(formerly Triboro) views
As for the pool.....I dont think so!
The last couple days I have taking my dog Charlie on a walk up to this park. I love that its in walking distance from the Ditmars & Astoria Blvd subway stops, its clean, its got plenty of benches, a gorgeous view of the skyline while you walk along the east river, and plenty of area to enjoy outdoor activities.
One of my favorites though was seeing how much my dog apparently missed grass. I enjoyed watching him frolicked through it. I also hear this park has a pool and I have been seriously jonesin' to do some swimming so I will be hitting that up this summer, for sure. If you are in the Astoria area check out this park, its a gem.
We've had such little decent weather this summer that I feel deprived of my park time. But whenever I get the chance, I walk to Astoria Park just to lie down in the grass and relax. It's a gorgeous setting--right on the East River and between two bridges, so what's even more relaxing is that you can look at Manhattan without actually dealing with it. Astoria Park is never that packed but there tend to be families with small children and small dogs there.
If you don't like grass, there's plenty of benches along the water. It's a wonderful place for a picnic or for stretching out and enjoying some shade.
Astoria Park sits on the edge of the East River and is nestled inbetween the Triborough Bridge and Hell Gate Bridge. It offers great views of Manhattan and during the Summers they offer live music and movies on the lawn.
How did this happen? It took me a full year to stumble upon this SPRAWLING park? How did I not ever turn right off my street?
Anyway, I've been lucky enough to live another year and a half in Astoria post-park discovery, and I have to say, life is much better with said park in my life.
An incredibly well-maintained track, large, clean, free, public pool, a half dozen (not free) tennis courts, basketball courts, and an abundance of grass for tanning, football, frisbee, and people-watching. The view is amazing, and I always see a bunch of free dog-training workshops being held on the weekends.
It's a safe place to hang out even into the night, as a lot of people set up chairs and cars along the riverside to catch up or BBQ (though I'm not sure the latter is legal)
My spring fever is officially in full-force...
Hands down one of the best public parks in New York City.
The 56 acres contain large basketball courts, a track, a big playground, tennis facilities, grass lawns, bocce ball area, and NYC's largest/oldest newly renovated public pool - all framed wonderfully by a beautiful waterside view as well as both the Triboro (RFK) Bridge and the Hellgate Bridge.
When we were kids we called the area right by the water "the strip". I spent many a summer running around the sprinklers here, sipping on 'quarter waters', playing soccer, basketball, and running on the track. During the summer months the free concerts make for great entertainment on a lazy night.
Really? ....Is there really a park this cool in such close proximity to my new astoria-licious digs?
I couldn't find it yesterday based on the shoddy directions of my ill-informed roommate who's lived here for two years. But after studying my fabulous fold-out laminated Streetwise Queens map, I found it on my own today.
So there's a couple of big baseball fields, a kick ass track and some really lovely trails to walk/run on. A stunning view of the manhattan skyline. Way better than from the other side of the river where I used to live. Who knew?!
But it's more serene and peaceful than the other side of the east river. The other side has a noisy highway and I had to walk through like all of the ev to get there and i always felt like a dork in my running gear when I took my workout to the river. ...but that's not particularly relevant to this review...
um, yeah, anyway-- like i said, beautiful -- really beautiful view of manhattan. You have to go when the sun is setting-- like around 645 or 7pm this time of year. You can catch the sun sparkling so magnificently through the Triborough Bridge that you can feel the energy of new york pulse through your soul and remind you of how much you effing love this city.
Flowers would have bumped the rating up to 5 stars. ....Where are the flowers? I mean, really. It is springtime. And if you're going to have a soul-stirring experience of any kind, it's always nice to have some flowers.
This is a pretty sizable neighborhood park by the water. It has tennis courts, a track, a few exercise areas for pullups/ situps, a (huge) outdoor pool, ample trees, an overhead bridge, large lawn areas, basketball courts, handball courts (mentioned by a fellow Yelp!er), a few random statues, paved walking paths, a few small hills, a parking lot, a playground... seriously, what's not in this park?
I purposely mapped out this park to be at the end of my weekly jog, because I wanted something to look forward to at the end of my route. It's been gorgeous throughout all seasons, is usually pretty quiet, and is pretty well-maintained. In the summertime there are occasional outdoor musical performances and movies.
This is my favorite feature of Astoria, hands down.
(NYC Parks' website for Astoria Park: http://www.nycgovparks...)
One of the best parks! Now, some might say that I feel that way due to its proximity to my apartment. I say they are right.
But it is also a great park. Very open and spacious and hilly, there is a giant free pool there and a track that my boyfriend likes to run on (I am not a fan of "running"). One of the best things to do in the summer is grab a picnic lunch and take it to Astoria Park and relax. Read, get some ice cream and sit in the sun. The view of Roosevelt Island, Manhattan and the bridges is enough for me.
I love the view.
I love the track.
But what I really love is the puppy watching.
I have lived in Astoria for almost two years and can't believe this is the first weekend I ever went to the park. I never thought I would say the hum of the RFK Bridge traffic would be soothing, but somehow it is. The non-stop jingle of the ice-cream man was a little ridiculous. I couldn't believe the size of the pool and all the updated court-sport facilities. We will def be venturing back again real soon!
I LOVE Astoria Park!!! It has a great running track, plenty of open space and a so-so basketball court(s.)
Good for:
Sports
Picnic
Walking with a loved one
*In the summer it is fun to watch the "bikers" do tricks along the water (it is not fun to hear them race up and down Ditmars while you are trying to work/sleep.)
I've seen Astoria Park in two of it's most extreme moments and I still find it attractive.
In the winter, I've seen it laden with snow. There was so much snow, the kiddies pulled out their sleds and cardboard boxes and slid down the slopes. Astoria Park is quite hilly and goes on and on forever. Those sights made me smile. Maybe one does not have to move to the burbs after all. I would bring my kids out here to play one day and certainly I'd let them make snow angels.
In the summer, the pool is the focus and people sure are having a good time. It's a place to cool off. And the square footage of that pool is massive. I think it would be awesome to hang out at Astoria Park every summer. Free swim!
Fall is near and I'm sure the change of leaves will be a beautiful sight. The season will inspire different activities. Maybe I'll start running. Or take a romantic walk. Actually I'm envisioning my future child throwing leaves up in the air. *Whfgsovfubhoh!! Sorry. That was my biological clock and I just smashed it.
I heart parks.
Five stars for great parks. This park has an amazing view day and night and is a great place to go and just relax, play basketball, swim or exercise. There is a great exercise facility at the park. You can ride bikes, picnic and it even has parking which is free. It really is a gem. A great place.
I don't know if this is actually the greatest park around or maybe its just because I live in Astoria. This park is big enough for everyone and their mothers. The Astoria Pool is here, plenty of grass to lounge, a track to run on, tennis and basketball courts and of course a great view of Manhattan which you could never get if you were in Central Park.
I've been reading all the reviews on yelp about this park. I never got around to visiting until yesterday. Boy, have I missed out! It was a ten minute walk from my apartment. As soon as I got there, I was impressed with their tennis and basket ball courts. They had a decent size track which a bunch of people were running on. I've found my gym for the summer. Now if only my leg and recuperate fast enough so I can start running...
The Astoria Park has a vibrant life of its own. There are many events taking place there, mostly in the summer. Sure, there is tennis, running track, the pool and the waterfront, but more about them later.
First, the night-vigil and fundraiser for breast cancer cure. This takes place around June. The entire track & field gets illuminated with candle lanterns, while survivors and their families congregate and spend the night out on the field. There are performances, games and other activities. This year was so moving that my roommate and I went there first at 11pm, made a donation, chatted with some people there, and then again, we went back at 4am out of curiosity.
To our nice surprise the field was just as crowded then as it was at earlier on, plus the parks people turned a couple of those high-power lights (not too many, so that the candle lanterns can still provide the cameral feel). Usually, those lights illuminate the entire track and field for those who run or play on it until 11pm, or so.
During the week preceding July 4th, the Steinway company sponsors the annual fireworks held over the East River at Shore Blvd. precisely between the Triboro on Hells Gate bridges (ironically enough, the 'grand stand' is held by the Quiet Zone, next to the Long Island War Memorial obelisk).
The entire waterfront gets filled with people, cars, bikes, kids, pets etc. The fun in the park begins from this point on. Every Thursday at 7:30pm during the summer a free series of concerts is held on the main lawn. Bring a chair, blanket, your cat, dog or goldfish and listen to some good old doo whop or Sinatra-impersonators.
During hot summer days and evenings you'll run into to two or three Mr. Softee trucks strategically parked by the waterfront and the pool. While motorcycle lovers show off their rides and girlfriends, (or is it the other way around???).
The largest-in-NYC pool has a super-cool summer schedule for lap-swimmer adults: 'early bird' (7:30am-8:30am) and 'night owl' (7:30pm-8:30pm) hours let you swim in a designated section of the pool, kids-free. No locks needed, just set your towel and flip-flops on the steps by the pool.
The park has a little secret extension past its parameter, i.e.: take Shore Blvd. north, past Ditmars Blvd. (north road of the park) and find yourself in Ralph Demarco Park. It's a narrow strip with a single walkway along the East River that widens a little at 21st Avenue and terminates at 20th Avenue with a brand-spanking new bike lane on 20th Avenue that takes you straight to Rikers Island... well, not quite. But, it does terminate at Hazen Street, turn left and you're just a bridge-away. ;-) The views from Demarco Park are quite interesting, lots of industry facilities, lots of barges, and some interesting smells. Ironically, it all seems eerily colorful.
Back to Astoria Park - Although I'm not a tennis enthusiast myself, the courts seem to be kept in good shape, and I see dozens of people passing my house on their way to the courts. I do know that the biggest complain among people who play there is the lack of light fixtures for night play.
The track, on the contrary, is probably one of the best-kept ones I've ever ran on - and that I do a lot. The workout aids set up around the exterior of the track also get lots of action. The field within the track (although not fully grassy) serves well for tossing football, kicking soccer ball or throwing Frisbee, and all that happens there a lot.
The park also serves as a main rest-stop to many bicycle rides that take place throughout the city from May to September.
Tip: For an unprecedented, 'aerial' view of the park and its surroundings hop on your bike and ride up the Triboro bridge just past its Queens leg. Remember to walk your bike on the walkway, should you decide to cross the bridge all the way to the other side.
I really love this park. It's got a great view of the city and the nearby bridges: Hell Gate & Tri-borough (RFK). It's a great park for biking, dog walking, people watching, picnicking, etc. This park has pretty much all your standard fares for park activities...AND a swimming pool. You name it, they got it. Do yourself a favor and stop reading reviews about a park. Go grab your long neglected bike/rollerblades/skateboard/sneakers so you can head out for a look yourself.
Is there such thing as a hidden park? Astoria is spitting distance from Manhattan and a very residential neighborhood. Yet despite this, on a truly gorgeous Sunday afternoon, the park was simply not that crowded. Incredible! Is everybody out of town in the Hamptons or the shore somewhere? Not that I'm complaining, but it was sort of odd.
My only knocks against the place are the elevated train that goes over the bridge is kind of loud, and the grass isn't that great. Not that the grass is the park's fault or anything, but too many patches of dirt.
I don't get out to Astoria much, and had never been to the park, but it's now in my mind of good places to go in Queens.
This a great big park right by the water. We always go to the dog run which is the Most popular in Astoria, though it's technically not really even in the park and not that big, but on the weekends, there are lots of dogs.
Oh Astoria Park, where do I begin?
As a life long Astoria resident, a good chunk of my youth was spent there.
The park has improved a lot since the 80's. It is much cleaner now.
The "Strip" down by the water is a great place to zen out on a weekday when you play hooky from work. The lawn is well kept and green and on any given spring and summer day, you can find people reading and sunbathing. It's a great place to hang out, jog, play soft ball or frisbee or just people watch.
I haven't been there at night in a while, but it is still a summer hangout, and still make out in the park and drink beer while under age. ;)
A word to the wise, use your head when you go there at night. No place is 100% safe and there are some danger zones where you are at risk at night. Use caution and stay on the strip or in open areas. Especially if you're alone.
When I decided to add "jogging" as part of my health regiment, I was at first a little worried about what to wear...
Having overcoming my fear and buying some nifty pair of running pants and shoes, I didn't know how to go about knowing where to run.
Enter Astoria Park which I discovered by just running around my 'hood! Astoria Park has a beautiful view of Manhattan and there are a lot of runners there even at 8 pm in the evening. So far I haven't been mugged or raped while running through this park, and so I figure this is an enormous plus.
There is a lovely walking trail along the perimeter of the park, and whenever I run through this park I feel like I'm recreating the opening scene to Punch-Out!! viewable at the following link, now in gif form!
http://img61.imageshac...
This is a great park in walking distance from the Astoria Blvd train station, and underneath the Tri-borough bridge. Nice track and large grass area for tanning, baseball, soccer, or ultimate frisbee! Also features a nice set of tennis courts, basketball courts as well as a walking area to stroll by the East River, and one of the largest public pools in NYC! A Great to bike, read, run, jump and roll down grassy hills check it out it's worth it and with all of the oxygen you need and a set admission price at free 99 this park can't be beat!
I started playing tennis at this park last summer as I live 5 minutes away. All in all I've enjoyed the atmostphere. A step up from the east river park courts under the williamsburg bridge. These courts are clean and the people are nice (except for he who they call "the animal")
The rule is that you have to sign up for a court 30 minutes prior to game time. So go there early and stretch. If you don't have a partner, there are people who pair up to hit around all the time.
If tennis is not your thing, read the other reviews - there're plenty to do at this park. Very family oriented and plenty of parking. I like the gym equipment all along the track, you can do pull ups (or attempt to) as well as take a stroll along the river.
It's a huge park, with a pretty interesting view. It's surprisingly nice, and quieter than you would think, what with the bridges overhead and all.
The pool, well, don't get your hopes up. But if you like standing in line, make a day of it with the family!
There's plenty of grass for lying, frisbeeing, soccering, or tanning. Whatever you want. There's even a track with those fun work out stations and relatively ambiguous looking fixtures. Do I hop these logs, or do I do backward sits ups on them?
Tennis courts, check. Benches, check. Tracks, check.
Really, a worthy park, and a great place to go in Astoria. It's not Central Park, but really, how many parks are?
A park with a wonderful view! There's so much going on here: public swimming pool, tracks, and a huge grassy spread to walk around and explore. This is a nice little surprise outside of Ditmars.
During the day, it's interesting to people watch and you'll inevitably spot various photography/fashion portfolio shoots.
Wow as a visitor to NYC I was introduced to this park by Jenifer D and I unexpectedly found myself in awe. It's simply a whole different perspective on New York, especially when compared to the first thing that pops into your head when you think NYC.
Tall buildings, Times Square, metal, concrete, etc. This park is certainly none of those. It's got this strange calmness to it at night with the water flowing under the Triborough & Hell's Gate bridges and it's a little surreal.
I went here at night where it seems to be a happening spot for romantic couples, bonding families, motorcycle enthusiasts, and night time strollers.
During the day the grassy area was filled with sunbathers and people enjoying a good book. There's also this large Olympic sized pool that's free to the public which looked incredibly tempting. Too bad it was way too packed when we got there.
If you're in the Queens area, this convenient and gorgeous park is just perfect. You've got a great view of the river, the bridge and the skyline. Never too crowded (except at the pool--yeesh!), this place rocks for picnics, jogs, and just plain relaxing.
Interesting fact: A scene in the movie Serpico was filmed here.
Until they complete the park in Dumbo, Astoria Park will easily lay claim to the best views of any park in the outer boroughs. Tucked underneath the venerable Triborough and Hellgate Bridges, it's location offers unparalleled views of Manhattan, Randall's Island and the East River.
To top it all off, the park is immaculately maintained with meandering foot paths stretching from the waters edge to the rows of townhouses that define this part of Astoria. It also boasts one of the better public tracks I've seen in NY, about a dozen tennis courts and the city's largest public pool.
This park is truly a gem for all of us in the neighborhood and certainly warrants a visit by anyone in the city.
So many people travel over this park on their way into Manhattan, and probably don't even realize the treasure just beneath them.
This park is home to:
1. the largest public pool in the 5 boroughs with beautiful art deco facilities
2. a public track with exercise circuits and instructions surrounding it
3. public tennis courts
4. sweeping views of Manhattan
6. playgrounds
7. grassy knoll to enjoy a picnic, book, game of Frisbee, etc
8. easy access to Mister Softee
9. abundance of parking
10. neat views of the underbellies of the Hellgate and Triborough bridges
So it might not have some of the distinctions that other parks in NYC may have, but it does have more than most neighborhood parks.
Easily my favorite New York City park.
Okay so maybe it is the only one I have easy access to, but I loved it even before I moved to Astoria. Among the many sights to behold at the park, runners, sun bathers, soccer players, dog walkers, men fixing their cars in the parking lot, Mr. Softee eaters, and the occasional East River motor boat cruiser, my favorite is the Hellgate Bridge. There are few bridges as beautiful, perhaps the perfect compliment to the neighborhood it defines.
Came out here to visit and to meet some runners for the Hellgate Running Club who train here. A huge pool, tennis courts and most important for me, a 400 meter track. Decent surface and with a view of the Manhattan skyline and Roosevelt Island. Met up with some great guys, ran 5-6 miles to Roosevelt Island and back and enjoyed the scenery. I want to work out here whenever I come to Astoria.
A view of Manhattan never looked so beautiful and the views from this side of the island are fantastic day or night. Granted its not quite Central Park, it has its own vibe that is versatile enough to spend a romantic afternoon/evening, a quiet place to read a book or relax, or a fun group/family outing spot for picnic or park activities. Restaurants are not far away and the park itself has tennis courts and a public swimming pool during the good weather months.
Now if only they could put a lid on the sporadic (serious) crimes that happen here, then it'd be perfect.
I don't spend nearly as much time here as I'd like, but I love Astoria Park. It's got a great view of the Manhattan skyline, a running track, plenty of paths for biking or rollerblading, and lots of big grassy areas to lounge around on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It also features the largest public pool in New York, which I've never actually swam in, but looks really clean and nice.
