CITY PARKS FOUNDATION KICKS-OFF FREE SUMMER SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR NYC YOUTH

On July 5th, in parks throughout New York City, City Parks Foundation kicks off its 2016 Summer Sports Program for young people. The program concludes mid-to-late August, depending on the sport. City Parks Foundation provides over 14,000 New York City children free tennis, golf, soccer, track & field and fitness instruction including free use of equipment in nearly 60 locations citywide. This summer in Brooklyn, City Parks Foundation’s Sports programs will be taking place in Bensonhurst Park, Fort Greene Park, Highland Park, Jackie Robinson Playground, Kaiser Park, Kelly Playground, Leif Ericson, Lincoln Terrace, McCarren Park, McKinley Park, Prospect Park, Betsy Head Playground, Linden Park, St. John’s Park, Marine Park, Sunset Park and Seth Low Playground.

BNP Paribas is the presenting sponsor of CityParks Tennis and LACOSTE is the Official Apparel Sponsor. CityParks Tennis provides free tennis lessons to children, ages six to 16, in 39 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program, one of the largest free municipal tennis programs in the United States, promotes physical fitness while building self-confidence and is designed to make the sport of tennis freely available to those who want to learn the game in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Lessons for kids are offered at all skill levels. Opportunities include free beginner lessons, tournaments, leagues, excellence programs and special events. CityParks Tennis runs through August 15th and concludes with an exciting tournament for beginners held at the Central Park Tennis Center and the BNP Paribas Aces Tournament for intermediates held at Flushing Meadows Tennis Center in mid-August. To register, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/cityparks-tennis-registration/.

CityParks Golf presented by LACOSTE Foundation makes it fun and easy for boys and girls, ages six to 17, to learn to play golf. The free golf lessons and use of equipment, held in public parks and on citywide courses, makes the sport of golf accessible to kids of all skill levels throughout New York City. The emphasis of the program is not only on learning the basics of the sport, but also on developing self-esteem, discipline and sportsmanship. The program gives kids a chance to improve their skills and ultimately try out for the CityParks Intermediate Program and Junior Golf Academy – specialized programs for dedicated young golfers available at the CityParks Junior Golf Center, a facility in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn that also offers programming for new or first-time youth golfers from New York City. CityParks Golf will be held in two sessions, running from July 5th through July 28th and from August 1st through August 25th. To register, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/cityparks-golf-registration/.

CityParks Track & Field gives New York City kids, ages five to 16, the chance to learn the basics of the sport, from hurdles and relay races, to long jump, shot put and javelin throw. All participating youngsters have the opportunity to display the basic skills learned at the end of the season at an organized track meet held at Icahn Stadium, the world class sports complex on Randall’s Island, on August 10th. To register, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/cityparks-track-field-registration/.

Following an overwhelmingly successful pilot season in 2015, City Parks Foundation and the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) are thrilled to be expanding the CityParks Soccer youth program this year to a total of 10 parks across the five boroughs. The program will run for five weeks beginning July 5th, with twice-weekly sessions for youth ages 8-12. At each session, participants will receive instructional tips and training from NYCFC and City Parks Foundation coaches before they are split into teams for fun, "pick-up" style games. To register, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/soccer/.

This summer, City Parks Foundation will also expand its youth fitness program, Get Up and Go, which debuted last year. The educational, multi-sport program will be held twice weekly in 10 parks and playgrounds across the city, helping children ages 6-10 stay active this summer. Aerobic activities will include obstacle courses and relay races, as well as strength and agility contests. The program will run July 12th through August 19th. To register, please visit: http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/sports/kids-fitness/.

For more information and a full list of City Parks Foundation’s 2016 kids programs, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

BNP Paribas is the presenting sponsor of CityParks Tennis and LACOSTE is the Official Apparel Sponsor. CityParks Golf is presented by LACOSTE Foundation. Additional support for CPF sports programming is provided by: The Thompson Family Foundation; The Coca-Cola Foundation; The George and Valerie Delacorte Fund; The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation; The J.M. Kaplan Fund; The Randall’s Island Park Alliance; Aviation Development Council; The Women’s Sports Foundation. Public support is provided by the New York City Council under the leadership of Melissa Mark-Viverito; NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides; NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland; NYC Council Member Vincent Gentile; NYC Council Member Mark Levine; NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez; NYC Council Member Debi Rose; NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal; and NYC Council Member Ruben Wills.

City Parks Foundation is the only independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer programs in public parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. At City Parks Foundation, we are dedicated to invigorating and transforming parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life through sports, arts, community development, and education programs for all New Yorkers. Our programs and community building initiatives -- located in more than 300 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across the city -- reach 425,000 people each year. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks reflect thriving communities.

2016 City Parks Foundation’s Sports Schedule in Brooklyn

CityParks Tennis presented by BNP Paribas

Bensonhurst Park

Cropsey Ave. & Bay Pkwy.

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Fort Greene Park

DeKalb Ave. & S. Portland Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Highland Park

Elton St. & Jamaica Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Jackie Robinson Playground

Malcolm X. Blvd. & Chauncey St.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Kaiser Park

Neptune Ave. & Bayview Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Kelly Playground

Ave. S & E. 14th St.

Monday/Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Leif Ericson

8th Ave. & 66th St.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Lincoln Terrace

Buffalo Ave. & E. New York Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

McCarren Park

N. 13th St. between Bedford Ave. & Berry St.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

McKinley Park

7th Ave. & 75th St.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM (Intermediate)

Prospect Park

Parkside Ave. at the Parade Ground

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

CityParks Track & Field

Betsy Head Playground

Strauss St. between Livonia Ave. & Dumont Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (5-7 year olds) 10:30 AM - 12 PM (8-16 year olds)

Kaiser Park

Neptune Ave. & Bayview Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (5-7 year olds) 10:30 AM - 12 PM (8-16 year olds)

Linden Park

Linden Blvd. & Vermont St.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (5-7 year olds) 10:30 AM - 12 PM (8-16 year olds)

CityParks Golf presented by René Lacoste Foundation

Kaiser Park

Neptune Ave. & Bayview Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (6-8 year olds) 10:30 AM - 12 PM (9-16 year olds)

St. John’s Park

Bergen St. & Troy Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (6-8 year olds) 10:30 AM - 12 PM (9-16 year olds)

CityParks Soccer

Marine Park

Stuart St. bet. Ave. S and Ave. T

Monday/Wednesday, 9 AM - 11 AM

Sunset Park

44th St. & 6th Ave.

Monday/Wednesday, 9 AM - 11 AM

Get Up and Go

Kaiser Park

Neptune Ave. & Bayview Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Seth Low Playground

W. 12 St. bet. Bay Pkwy. & Ave. P

Monday/Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 12 PM