You already know that Central Park has a number of activities that you can enjoy, especially during the warmer months. If you're into the types of sports that are meant to be played on grass, such as lawn bowling and croquet, you can take advantage of the two fields that are available in Central Park from May 1 to November 7.
What are the hours for
lawn bowling?
The hours are from 8:00 AM until dusk, which as you are aware in the summer, can be as late as 8:00 PM or 8:45 PM. This gives you plenty of opportunity to enjoy either lawn bowling or croquet after work or on the weekends.
What are the field like and how do you access them?
The two fields that were designed specifically for lawn bowling and croquet are each 15,000 square feet in size. This gives you plenty of room to play your game, without having to accommodate or adjust your wickets and other equipment for a cramped play area.
Access to the fields is on a "first one there gets the field first, others wait to play when a field opens up" basis. You must bring your own equipment. However, because the fields are open during the aforementioned hours unless weather does not permit, you shouldn't have too long a wait before you can enjoy one of them. On weekends, you may want to get there early, though, to avoid a very long wait.
Do you have to pay to use the lawn bowling fields?
You must have a permit in order to play on either of the lawn bowling and croquet fields. They cost $30, and each player must have his own permit. You can get your permit at the Arsenal at 5th Avenue and 64th Street, in Room 1. Permits can be obtained between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 12:00 Pm. However, the Saturday hours only apply to the months of April, May, and June.
