A guide to playing tennis
Some of New York City’s tennis practice walls (hitting walls) let you turn up and play.
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New York City
A public park tennis destination in Queens, Juniper Valley Park offers eight outdoor hard courts in a quiet, well-kept green space. It's a solid pick for casual and community play, with pickleball courts nearby for a change of pace.
Howard Bennett Playground is a neighborhood park in Harlem with outdoor hard tennis courts set among shaded trees, alongside a playground and basketball courts. It's a relaxed, low-key spot for a casual hit or a family outing, with both full-size and mini courts plus a hitting wall for practice.
Kelly Park in Brooklyn has seven outdoor hard tennis courts, a playground and basketball courts. A youth tennis camp is offered in summer.
St. Catherine’s Park on Manhattan’s Upper East Side has a tennis practice wall, basketball and handball courts, playgrounds and green space.
St. Vartan Park has a wall used as a tennis backboard for solo practice. Its basketball, handball and pickleball areas are better documented; two standard tennis courts have not been confirmed.
Commodore Barry Park is a big, lively green space in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, with ball fields, a basketball court, a public pool, and outdoor tennis backboards tucked into the mix. It's less a dedicated tennis venue and more a casual spot to knock the ball against a wall while soaking up the park's open lawns and neighborhood buzz.
Six outdoor hard courts are listed at New Dorp High School on Staten Island. Public use has not been confirmed; check with the school before visiting.
Two campus directories describe five outdoor hard courts at Grand Street Campus in Brooklyn, along with a hitting wall. Public entry at this school entrance remains unconfirmed.
We list 8 venues in New York City, including Juniper Valley Tennis Courts, Howard Bennett Playground and Kelly Park Tennis Courts.
Of these venues, 3 allow walk-in use. Each venue page shows how to book.