We provide free tennis instruction to thousands of kids ages 6-17 each year in more than 30 parks throughout the five boroughs.
For more information on our tennis programs, contact sports@cityparksfoundation.org.
Ages 6 – 17
April – June
Once Weekly, Free
Our tennis pros use fun games and drills to help teach kids the basics of tennis and discover a sport for life. Experienced juniors have the opportunity to compete in weekly competitions and qualify for a citywide tournament weekly competitions.
Central Park Tennis Center
Spring and Fall
Ages 6 – 17
Once Weekly, Fridays 3-5PM
Free
Don’t wait until summer to pick up a racket. Free beginner tennis instruction is now available starting this spring in Central Park. Our tennis pros use fun games and drills to help teach kids the basics of tennis and discover a sport for life.
Beginner tennis classes will be divided into two 1-hour sessions. Children ages 6-10 years old will play the first hour, followed by ages 11-17 during the second hour. When registering, please select the time slot that corresponds to your child’s age.
Central Park Tennis Center
Spring and Fall
Upon completion of the spring and fall sessions, a select roster of dedicated players will be invited by their coaches to compete in The Leslie Feely Youth Tennis Tournament. More details will be shared once the program is underway.
Ages 8 – 17
Year-Round, Free
Our year-round tournament training program for advanced junior players provides free, expert coaching and practice time at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Tryouts are held annually in May and are open to competitive juniors ages 8-17.
For more information or questions about the Lacoste Junior Tennis Academy please contact sports@cityparksfoundation.org.
Ages 6 – 17
Once Weekly, Free
Our tennis pros use fun games and drills to help teach kids the basics of tennis and discover a sport for life. Experienced juniors have the opportunity to compete in weekly competitions and qualify for a citywide tournament weekly competitions.
**Please note*** locations and schedules are subject to change. Any changes to program info currently listed will be communicated to registered participants prior to the start of the program.
Ages 6 – 17
September – November
Twice Weekly, Free
Our tennis pros use fun games and drills to help teach kids the basics of tennis and discover a sport for life. Experienced juniors have the opportunity to compete in weekly competitions and qualify for a citywide tournament weekly competitions.
Beginner tennis classes are usually divided into three 1-hour sessions at each park, depending on number of participants and available courts. Children ages 6-8 years old are typically the first hour, followed by ages 9-12 and then 13-17. When registering please select the time slot that corresponds to your child’s age. Instruction for intermediate-level players is also available at select sites. Once the program begins, the site director will provide more specific schedule information for that park.
Intermediate-level Junior Players
Year-Round, Free
After the summer program concludes, dedicated juniors are invited by their coaches to participate in our year-round Aces program. Participants receive free indoor training in a small group environment. This program offers continued training t in the off-season when court time is more expensive and less available. (Eligibility for the winter program requires that participants are registered for the summer CityParks Tennis program.)
The Aces program also provides players with notable guest speakers from the tennis community and subsidizes tournament fees for select players during the off-season.
July – August
Held at five parks in July and August, our Junior Tournament Series gives intermediate and advanced juniors an opportunity to develop their skills all summer in USTA-sanctioned tournaments. Participants must be active USTA members in order to compete.
Click here for more information.
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Generous private support for CityParks Tennis is provided by The New York Community Trust – The George and Valerie Delacorte Fund, The Leslie Feely Youth Tennis Endowment, Life Time Foundation, The Linda B. and Howard S. Stern Family Foundation, The Weininger Foundation, the USTA Foundation, Women’s Tennis Association Charities, Neuberger Berman Foundation, Public Housing Community Fund, The Venable Foundation, and USTA Eastern. Presenting sponsor BNP Paribas, supporting sponsor Lacoste. Generous public support is provided by the NYC Council under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams, including Council Member Alexa Aviles, Council Member Joseph Borelli, Council Member Gale Brewer, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, NYC Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, Council Member Rita Joseph, Council Member Farah Louis, Council Member Julie Menin, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, Council Member Yusef Salaam, Council Member Sandra Ung.
Generous private support for the Leslie Feely Tennis Program is provided by The Leslie Feely Youth Tennis Endowment.
In Partnership with NYC Parks.
At City Parks Foundation, our mission is to encourage New Yorkers to use their neighborhood parks by offering free environmental education, arts, sports, and community-building programs that bring people into their local green spaces. Please give now if you can—we know that city parks will continue to thrive when all New Yorkers get involved.
