North Meadow Recreation Center050

North Meadow Recreation Center is an indoor/outdoor facility located in the heart of Central Park. Basketball and handball courts, in addition to zillions of youth activities for kids eight and up, including basketball clinics and tournaments, and seasonal camps are offered here.

Built originally as stables, the building was converted to a recreational facility in the early 1990s, and underwent a second refurbishment in 1998.

The exterior of the building was preserved to protect its Landmark status, but the interior has a cushioned exercise floor, high ceilings, and an indoor climbing wall.

Each program uses innovative approaches to encourage self-esteem among the elementary, middle school, and high school age students that participate.

Kids ages six to eleven can sign up for Camp Central Park/Winter Wonderland during the winter break. Winter Wonderland campers explore Central Park through rock climbing, ice-skating, special winter nature hikes, and arts & crafts. Register early; space is limited.

Basketball Clinics are held for kids ages eight to 17, and are geared to increase skills in basketball, team building, and sportsmanship. Saturdays 12n-2pm (seasonally, Spring-Fall).

Twelve handball courts and six basketball courts are open on a first come, first served basis daily from 10am-7pm.

The Center also loans out Field Day kits. With a photo ID, a visitor can borrow a kit containing a basketball, 10 cones, three bats, a horseshoe set, a playground ball, a nerf ball, a football, a Frisbee, two handballs, a soccer ball, a jump rope, two whiffle balls, and hula hoops.