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

On July 6th, in parks throughout New York City, City Parks Foundation kicks off its 2015 Summer Sports Program for young people. Throughout the summer, City Parks Foundation provides over 14,000 New York City children free tennis, golf, soccer and track and field instruction including free use of equipment in over 80 locations citywide. This summer, City Parks Foundation’s Sports programs will be taking place in Alley Pond Tennis Center, Astoria Park, Baisley Pond Park, Brookville Park, Cunningham Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing Memorial Field, Forest Park, Juniper Valley Park, Kissena Park, Detective Keith Williams Playground, Captain Mario Fajardo Park, and Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. Kids can register online at http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/2015-summer-youth-sports-registration/.

BNP Paribas is the presenting sponsor of CityParks Tennis and LACOSTE the Official Apparel Sponsor. CityParks Tennis provides free tennis lessons to children, ages six to 16, in more than 36 parks throughout the five boroughs. The program 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 14th 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.

CityParks Golf presented by Fondation Lacoste 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 6th through July 30th and from August 3rd through August 28th.

CityParks Track & Field presented by EmblemHealth with support from Nike+ Run Club 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 12th.

CityParks and the New York City Football Club (New York City FC) are launching a community youth soccer initiative this year running for six weeks starting on July 6th. At each session, participants will receive technical guidance and ball mastery training supported by New York City FC in partnership with City Parks Foundation coaches. Players are then split into teams for fun, “street soccer” style games. The format is designed to promote camaraderie, creativity and player ownership of the game. The pilot program will take place weekly in one park in each of the five boroughs, with hopes that the model can be scaled as interest in soccer in New York City grows among kids of all athletic abilities.

For more information and a full list of City Parks Foundation’s 2015 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 Fondation Lacoste. CityParks Track & Field is presented by EmblemHealth. Additional support for CityParks Track & Field is provided by Nike+ Run Club. Additional support for CPF sports programming is provided by: The Coca-Cola Foundation; New York Community Trust – George and Valerie Delacorte Fund; J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation; J.M. Kaplan Foundation; Aviation Development Council; New York City Council under the leadership of Melissa Mark-Viverito; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides; NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo;

NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras; NYC Council Member Vincent Gentile; NYC Council Member Vincent Ignizio; NYC Council Member Mark Levine; NYC Council Member Deborah Rose; NYC Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer programs in parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in more than 350 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of programs in an effort to promote healthy and vibrant communities. Our programs and community building initiatives reach 425,000 people each year. Our ethos is simple: we believe thriving parks reflect thriving communities. For more details, please visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.

2015 City Parks Foundation’s Sports Schedule in Queens

CityParks Tennis presented by BNP Paribas

Alley Pond Tennis Center

Union Turnpike, Grand Central Pkwy. & Winchester Blvd.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Astoria Park

Astoria Park South & 18th St.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Baisley Pond Park

155th St. & 118th Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Brookville Park

Brookville Blvd. & Southern Pkwy.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Cunningham Park

Union Turnpike. & 193rd St.

Monday/Wednesday, 9AM – 12 PM

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM (Intermediate)

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Monday/Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM

Flushing Memorial Field

149th St. & 25th Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Forest Park

Myrtle Ave. & Woodhaven Blvd.

Monday/Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM

Juniper Valley Park

62nd Ave. & 80th St.

Monday/Wednesday, 9AM – 12 PM

Tuesday/Thursday, 9 AM - 12 PM (Intermediate)

Kissena Park

Rose Ave. & Oak Ave.

Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM - 4 PM

CityParks Track & Field

Astoria Park

Astoria Park South & 18th St.

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

Detective Keith Williams Playground

173rd St. & 105th Ave.

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

Forest Park

Myrtle Ave. & Woodhaven Blvd.

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

Juniper Valley

62nd Ave. & 80th 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 Fondation Lacoste

Alley Pond Park, Field 1

Winchester Blvd. & Union Tpke.

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

Baisley Pond Park

Foch Blvd. & 155th St.

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

Captain Mario Fajardo Park, Field 10

Kissena Blvd. & Booth Memorial Ave

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

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Field 11

56th Ave. & Corona Ave.

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

CityParks Youth Soccer

Roy Wilkins Park

Baisley Blvd. & 177th St.

Thursday, 1 - 3 PM

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