Est. 2026 · New York City
Your comprehensive guide to parks and public spaces across all five boroughs
NYC Park Guide is an independent editorial resource dedicated to cataloging and celebrating the public parks, green spaces, plazas, waterfronts, and privately owned public spaces across all five boroughs of New York City.
From Central Park's rolling meadows to a quiet privately owned courtyard tucked behind a Midtown tower, we map the full spectrum of outdoor public spaces you're free to enjoy. We cover all five boroughs, all categories, all seasons. Our data is sourced from NYC Parks, NYC Open Data, the NYC Department of City Planning POPS dataset, and the Municipal Art Society.
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation or any government agency. Information is provided for general reference. Always verify access, hours, and conditions before visiting.
Five boroughs, five distinct personalities, hundreds of places to breathe
New York County
Kings County
Queens County
Every type of public space in New York City, organized for easy exploration
Major parks, pocket parks, and open green spaces managed by NYC Parks and partner organizations.
410Historic squares, pedestrian plazas, and landscaped malls from Washington Square to Union Square.
51Linear parks, piers, esplanades, and waterfront walkways along the Hudson, East River, and harbor.
116Public playgrounds, spray parks, and family recreation spaces across neighborhoods.
73Community gardens, nature preserves, marshlands, and cultivated green spaces.
46Atriums, plazas, arcades, and courtyards within private buildings that are legally open to the public.
361POPS are plazas, arcades, atriums, and green spaces within private developments that are legally required to remain open to the public. They were created through zoning incentives: developers received permission to build taller or denser in exchange for providing publicly accessible space.
Many are unmarked or easy to miss. Some of the best include rooftop gardens, sunlit atriums, and landscaped courtyards hidden behind office tower lobbies.