Parks for Bench Time, Ball Courts, and Bay Views
Settle with coffee under trees, use wide paths with a stroller or dog, choose playgrounds and courts, or read beside the bay. One plaza is public and free, while the waterfront park restricts entry to members or permitted guests.
Parks, Courts, Shoreline Views
McKenna Square Pocket Park
Between Amsterdam Avenue and Audubon Avenue on West 165th Street, this Washington Heights plaza gives morning coffee a place beneath trees and beside brick walkways. Benches offer a short seated break, with fall foliage adding seasonal appeal. A neighborhood church and a post office frame the space. It is free and open 24 hours daily. Traffic from the surrounding streets can make the setting noisy. Daily litter and overnight camping are reported concerns.
McKinley Park After Work
The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM. That schedule covers an early walk or a late evening stop. Wide, well-maintained paths leave room to navigate with a dog or stroller. Broad lawns offer space to slow down. Basketball courts and a dedicated exercise area support active visits. Children get a playground with two platforms, a sprinkler system, and seasonal cultural programs. The bathrooms are dated, a practical drawback for a longer stay.
Little Neck Bay Recreation
Memorial Field Park pairs shoreline benches with a playground and a separate sports area for soccer and basketball. The water view reaches toward Udall’s Cove, where a book or short seated break fits the quiet setting. There are no walking or hiking trails across the grounds. Access is restricted to association members and Douglaston locals. The park is open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Membership or permitted guest status may be required.
