Morningside Park is the dramatic one - a cliff park dropping in stone terraces from Morningside Heights down to Harlem, with a waterfall, a pond and a set of stairs everyone in the neighbourhood has opinions about. The West 116th Street barbecue lawns sit at the bottom of that drop. An annual staff cookout there is a private gathering in a very public and very good park, and the park itself is worth the walk regardless.
What to expect
Expect a permitted barbecue-area gathering with grills and tables, taking place in a park that stays open around it. Morningside's waterfall, pond and terraced staircases are within a few minutes' walk. The lawns are grassy and partly shaded by mature trees along the cliff base.
Good to know
- Morningside Park runs between 110th and 123rd Streets; the 1 to 116th Street-Columbia University sits at the top of the cliff and the B/C to 116th Street is at
- The barbecue area is permitted to the group; the rest of the park remains open to everyone.
- The park's waterfall and pond are near the 114th Street entrance.
- The cliff staircases are steep — use the Manhattan Avenue side for level access.
- There are restrooms and a playground in the park.
- Shade along the cliff base makes the western lawns the coolest part on a hot afternoon.
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Common questions
Where is the barbecue area?
At the West 116th Street end of Morningside Park in Manhattan.
Is the park open to the public during it?
Yes — only the permitted barbecue area is reserved.
What else is in Morningside Park?
A waterfall, a pond, terraced cliff staircases, ballfields and a playground.
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