Year Up United trains young adults for careers for free — more than 52,000 students across 20-plus campuses, with corporate internships built into the model — and its New York-New Jersey alumni field day is the reunion end of that pipeline. Holding it in Van Cortlandt Park's Broadway-side barbecue groves gives them 1,100 acres of Bronx woodland to spread into. If you're an alum, this is the annual date; if you're just discovering the organization, the outcomes are the reason it's worth knowing.
What to expect
A reserved barbecue grove with grills, tables and field games running through the afternoon for alumni and their families. Van Cortlandt Park's parade ground, lake and trail network stay open around it. Expect the grove to be shaded and the surrounding park busy with ballgames and cyclists on a summer weekend.
Good to know
- The 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street drops you at the Broadway side of the park
- This is an alumni gathering with a reserved grove; the rest of the park stays open to everyone
- The Broadway-side barbecue areas have solid tree cover, which helps in August
- Van Cortlandt Lake, the Putnam Trail and the parade ground are all within walking distance
- The park's public golf course is the oldest in the United States, if you want a detour
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Common questions
What is Year Up United?
A national nonprofit offering tuition-free career training and corporate internships for young adults, with over 52,000 students served across more than 20 campuses.
Is the barbecue area open to the public?
The grove is reserved by permit for the alumni event. The rest of Van Cortlandt Park, including other picnic areas and trails, remains open.
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