Summer on the Hudson's family strand is the part of the programme that quietly solves a summer weekday morning: a free, structured hour of soccer for small children on a riverside lawn, run by NYC Parks with no sign-up and no fee. Riverside Park South's lawns at 71st Street are flat, fenced from the greenway and right on the water. If you have a three-to-six-year-old and a morning to fill, this is the answer.
What to expect
Expect a coached session on the grass with soft skills drills and small-sided games rather than real matches, parents on the edges, and the Hudson greenway running past. Sessions are drop-in, so arriving a few minutes late is fine. Bring water, sunscreen and shoes your child can run in.
Good to know
- Riverside Park South's 71st Street lawns are a walk west from the 1/2/3 at 72nd Street.
- Free and drop-in — no registration required.
- Aimed at young children; bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
- The lawn is level and reachable by paved paths with a stroller.
- Morning sessions are the coolest part of a riverside August day.
- Restrooms are available within Riverside Park nearby.
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Common questions
What age is it for?
It is a tots session, aimed at young children rather than school-age players.
Is there a fee?
No — Summer on the Hudson programmes are free.
Where does it meet?
On the south lawn at 71st Street in Riverside Park South.
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