1,700 and One.

Now I don't want to over hype this but, the post below is the ONLY blog post about NYC parks that you will ever have to read! Ok, that may be a little extreme. I can't confirm that statement to be 100% accurate, however, I can promise what you're about to read will be helpful.

My previous post about Astoria Park got me thinking. With over 1,700 parks in NYC, I could exclusively dedicate a blog to exploring each one. While that may seem like a good idea to some, I do want to provide you all with some variety. Therefore, below I've decided to list the "must visit" parks in each borough, a one-shot punch of information. Brace for impact!

Manhattan:
Disclaimer: I decided not to include Central Park below because I reserve the right to discuss it in a future blog post. There is just too much going on in Central Park to casually mention it in passing.

• The High Line – Not your traditional park, the High Line is a transformed elevated railway stretching 15 blocks.  Pristinely landscaped, and featuring installations and sculptures from world-renowned artists, the High Line is a beautiful addition to the Chelsea neighborhood. Take a late afternoon stroll to watch the sun set over the Hudson River. 
• Bryant Park – The two-square-block park located right behind the New York Public Library was previously famous for hosting Fashion Week. Now, it offers free yoga and Pilates classes as well as free movies on its lawn every Monday from June to August. 

Bronx:

• Van Cortlandt Park – One of the largest parks in all of NYC, Van Cortlandt houses a public golf course, biking and nature trails and a freshwater lake. On July 15th, the park will host Concerts in the Park, a free performance by the New York Philharmonic. 
• Pelham Bay Park – NYC's largest park, Pelham Bay is located at the northeastern most section of the Bronx, extending into Westchester County. Although it may seem like a far trip for just a park, Pelham Bay encompasses a man-made beach, wildlife sanctuary and museum. After you've worked up a hunger from all that activity, walk (or drive) to neighboring City Island for a bite to eat.

Brooklyn:

• McCarren Park – Located in the heart of Williamsburg, McCarren is a hipster haven. But don't let all that irony deter you; the park has a public pool, running track and handball, basketball and tennis courts. The park also hosts SummerScreen, which offers free outdoor movies every Wednesday night during July and August. 
• Brooklyn Bridge Park – Why should you visit Brooklyn Bridge Park? Simply, its spectacular views of Manhattan (as well as the Brooklyn Bridge, obviously). If the gorgeous horizon in front you isn't enough, the park also offers kayaking, bike paths, and beach access. 

Queens:

• Flushing Meadows Park – As the largest park in Queens, saying Flushing Meadows has "something for everyone" is an understatement.  Located right next to CitiField, the park is home to the Queens Museum of Art, the Queens Wildlife Center and Queens Hall of Science (in addition to the standard park fare of bike trails, skateparks and basketball, tennis and handball courts). 
• Forest Park – Forest Park is best known for its (go figure) forest trails and also for encompassing a portion of the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway, a bike and walking path that extends between the two boroughs. 

Staten Island:

• Clove Lake Park – The surroundings at Clove Lake Park are similar to Central Park's serene beauty, except the former is a lot less crowded. Clove Lake features connecting lakes, beautiful bridges, and rocky waterfalls. Explore the park by renting a paddleboat for $10 an hour, far cheaper than a boat rental in Central Park. 

So, there you have it, a compact list of the parks you NEED to visit this summer! There is a lot of information there so take your time, plan ahead and, most of all, have fun exploring.