The pink shows snow and ice

NYC Central Park now at 16.9″.  This is approaching the top 10 snowstorms all-time there! 17.5″ total would get them there! Snow, snow, snow…..and that means SLEDDING!!!!!  Whoo hoo!!!! I can’t wait to get out my new Costco sled and run it down the hills of Ft. Greene park.

Here are some of the best sledding hills:

NYC:

• Pilgrim Hill in Central Park (5th Ave and 72nd Street)
• Riverside Park on the Upper West Side (beware of “Suicide Park” at Riverside Dive and 91st Street- it’s meant for adults and older kids). Instead head to Riverside Drive and 103rd Street.

Brooklyn

Fort Greene/Clinton Hill:

1. Fort Greene Park (there are about 4 sides to the hill so it never gets crowded.) By Public Transportation:  Subways: C to Lafayette, G to Fulton, R,Q, B to DeKalb Avenue,  2, 3,4, 5, D, N to Atlantic Avenue. Buses: B38, B52, B25, B26. Sleds are usually available at the dollar store on Myrtle Ave.  The steepest, less crowded area is at the top of the hill by the monument. If you head to the back part of the hill that leads down to Myrtle Ave you will find less crowds.

Park Slope:

1. The Nethermeads has  great sledding hills in Prospect Park. The best hills are next to the tennis house and picnic house: head to 9th Street, off of Prospect Park West. By Public Transportation: (MTA map) • F Train to 15th St./Prospect Park station • 2 or 3 Train to Grand Army Plaza station • B-68, B-69 or B-75 Buses to Prospect Park West and 9th St.
2. In the Windsor Terrace area is Vanderbilt Playground which is at Prospect Park Southwest and Vanderbilt. It’s a steep slope, so be cautious.
3. There is a slope at Maryland Monument. Enter at Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street and proceed across to Wellhouse Drive. The slope is by the bridge and is pretty steep. It’s better for school aged kids. There are stairs there to aid in climbing the slope.
4. Next to the tennis house is the The Long Meadow Slope. Head to 9th Street, off of Prospect Park West. By Public Transportation: (MTA map) • F Train to 15th St./Prospect Park station • 2 or 3 Train to Grand Army Plaza station • B-68, B-69 or B-75 Buses to Prospect Park West and 9th St.

Bay Ridge:

1. Owl’s Head Park in Bay Ridge. Head to Shore Parkway, Shore Road, Colonial Road and 68 Street.  MAP
2. There is a hill at Shore Rd and 97th. Enter from 97th and go right down the ramp and you will see a big hill. It may be somewhat steep for young kids.

Brooklyn Heights:

1. The dog park by Harry Chapin Playground is a great spot with a nice slope. Head to Columbia Heights between Cranberry and Middagh Streets. You can buy a sled at the hardware store on Court/Livingston. MAP

Don’t have a sled?

Try these quickie makeshift sleds to make your kids scream with delight:

• A metal garbage can lid turned over

• Find an old tire (you can buy them from tire shops- and there’s one by the G stop at Fulton St. in Fort Greene)

• A cookie sheet

• Cardboard box (the more creases it has, the more you will slow down, to make it faster, wrap it in a garbage bag)

Related Posts:

1. Brooklyn Blog Talk (July 8th, 2010)
2. Looking for the B69, B71 or B75? How do we get to Prospect Park? (June 21st, 2010)
3. Want a horse in Brooklyn? It’s totally possible (May 4th, 2010)
4. Best sledding hills with snowstorm and how to make a sled (December 18th, 2009)
5. Brooklyn Public Library- Major Cuts? Help Out! (May 29th, 2009)