Why you need a membership in urban recreation centers: what services and entertainment they offer
'16.06.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Urban recreation centers are more than just indoor gyms. Join the Recreation Center and be part of a community of New Yorkers who support each other. With a membership, you can keep fit, learn new skills, develop your hobbies and make friends, encourages NYC parks.
Find a recreation center in your area by visiting recreation center location page.
Membership Benefits
As a member of the city recreation center, you will have access to hundreds of different programs, services and activities, including:
- adaptive programs for people with disabilities
- art and technical courses
- fitness and dance classes
- playrooms
- GYM's
- indoor playgrounds
- swimming pools
Membership packages
Adults aged 25 to 61
Access to all centers
Annual membership fee: $150
Six-month membership available for $75
Access to any center without an indoor pool
Annual membership fee: $100
Six-month membership available for $50
Seniors over 61, people with disabilities
Access to all centers
Annual membership fee: $25
Young people from 18 to 24 years old, youth under 18 years old
Access to all centers
Free membership
Instructor-led courses such as aerobics, martial arts, music or yoga may incur additional fees.
IDNYC Discount
New Yorkers aged 25 to 61 receive a 10% discount on adult recreation center memberships if they have a New York City ID. To receive this discount, simply present your IDNYC card at check-in.
How to join the program
Complete the Recreation Center Registration Form and bring it along with your payment to any of the Recreation Centers with government-issued ID. In addition, additional documents are required if you are registering as a veteran or a person with a disability. Youth can carry a student ID card, passport or birth certificate. If you do not have a valid form of ID, learn how to get one in Get Your IDNYC .
Download the Registration Form for a Member of the Recreation Center [PDF]
The membership registration form can be completed and printed from your computer. Signatures must be written by hand. Most of the fields are mandatory. For more information or assistance, please call any recreation center.
Membership can be paid with:
- Primary credit or debit card
- Money transfer
- Check drawn to City of New York/Parks and Recreation
- There is no registration fee. Cash payments are not accepted. Refunds are not possible.
About enrollment as a person with a disability
Most recreation centers are fully wheelchair accessible, equipped with special equipment and programs. Please visit each holiday center page for more information. Helpers of people with disabilities can visit centers to help people with disabilities free of charge. Before entering the establishment, they may be asked to register at the front desk. Service animals are welcome.
To register as a person with a disability, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID and one of the following documents:
- NYC Department of Transportation Accessible Parking Permit (PPPD)
- MTA Access-A-Ride ID
- MTA Reduced Fare ID
- New York State Parks Individual Pass
- Certificate from the New York State Department of Developmental Disabilities that the patron is eligible to receive services from a program they license, operate, certify, or fund
- Certificate from the New York State Commission for the Blind that the client has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
About Veteran Enrollment
To register as a veteran, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID and one of the following documents:
- United States Armed Forces Transfer or Dismissal Report (DD-214)
- National Guard Bureau Dismissal and Service Record Report (NGB-22)
- IDNYC New York with Veteran Target*
- New York State DMV driver's license or non-driver ID showing veteran*
- United States Armed Forces Identification Card for Retired Personnel (DD-2 RET)
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VHIC) Veterans Hospital Identification Card
*Does not require additional government-issued photo ID as it satisfies both requirements.
