Escape-worthy Picnic Spots In Underrated NYC Parks

Did you know that there are around 1,700 parks in the five boroughs? Why visit the same one a million times?

Regardless of the season, New York City's parks offer a break from the city's stressors as well as ideal settings for increasingly popular outdoor events.

NYC’s parks have open space and fresh air, making them perfect for sunbathing in the summer or quiet walks in spring.

Whether you're looking for fresh air, a jogging path or biking track, a spot to enjoy a picnic, or a place to walk your dog - there’s a park fit for the activity.

Now, city-goers can picnic at these 5 concealed green spaces across the concrete jungle for meditating, selfie-taking, and relaxing.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Boat rentals, museums, and the famed Hall of Science!

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park continues to captivate and thrill tourists as one of the city's most renowned parks and the location of two twentieth-century World's Fairs. There's always something to do here, whether it's partaking in a historic hike, venturing through a picturesque trail, enjoying sports like tennis, or renting a boat. You can participate in sports such as soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, cricket, and more; work out at our leisure center or indoor pool; walk, bike, or kayak around the park's lakes and trails; or visit one of the park's numerous cultural and civic organizations. Spend the day in a park with something for each and every one of your besties!


Bruce’s Garden

Enjoy tranquil florals, luscious foliage, and relaxation!

Travel south of West 215th Street and you'll find one of the city's most charming gardens adjacent to Isham Park. Nestled in Manhattan's northernmost edge, the garden has existed since the 1970s, when Bruce Reynolds, the garden's namesake, volunteered in the park. There's a meandering road with a few benches and a gazebo, as well as eye-catching flowers and two beehives, and it's surrounded by big trees and lush vegetation. In 2002, it was renamed Bruce's Garden in honor of Reynolds, who died while on duty as a Port Authority Police Officer after the September 11th attacks.


Conservatory Garden, Central Park

Catch a glimpse of flowers, fountains, and magic!

This under-the-radar garden, located on the East Side of the park between 104th and 106th street, is home to 20,000 tulips and daffodils. Visitors can enjoy an array of lovely lilacs, summer perennials, crabapple trees, chrysanthemums, and more. The garden is divided into three sections: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden, each with its own distinct design and beauty.


Sven Park

Brand new park boasts parkour equipment and picnic spaces!

Make your way to 29-37 41st Avenue in Long Island City to be the first visitor at Sven Park. The new public outdoor space is offering rest around greenery and encouraging physical activity. The half-acre green space includes a new playground, dog runs, fitness, and parkour equipment, ping-pong tables, swinging seats, and stationary sitting! The park will also include "Nest," an undulating wooden climbing structure for kids, as well as a broad assortment of flowering plants and trees, as well as covered picnic spaces.

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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Flushing Meadows Corona Park (@coronapark)</p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Pelham Bay Park

Trails, mansions, and gardens!

Pelham Bay Park is the City's largest park property, more than three times the area of Manhattan's Central Park! Visitors can walk miles of bridle routes and hiking trails, including paths to Orchard Beach and the legendary Bartow-Pell Mansion. There are also two golf courses, and a stunning 13-mile saltwater shoreline snuggling the Long Island Sound within the park. Its numerous assortment of fields and courts attract athletes of all performance levels, while its playgrounds attract children and families. Pelham Bay Park also includes a rich range of plant and animal life, as well as osprey viewing opportunities.

If you want to know more about NYC's parks, check out "How Big is Central Park Compared to Cities Around The Globe? Well, Pretty Damn Big...".

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