Turf & Lawns
Governors Island’s natural areas provide New Yorkers with dedicated spaces for exploration along with the ideal canvas for fostering community. The Island is home to many sweeping lawn spaces that host formal and informal events and activities of all sizes — explore them below, and click here to reserve a field for your next game, practice, tournament, or field day.
Located at the heart of the South Island Park, the Play Lawns contain two irrigated natural turf ballfields with an expansive level-graded outfield and clay infields and spectacular views of New York Harbor. At four acres, the Play Lawns are primarily used for baseball, softball, and kickball–through organized leagues, the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, or pick-up games with Island visitors.
Located in the Island’s Historic District, the Parade Ground is a 7.5-acre flat turf field with unobstructed views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. The Parade Ground was used for military demonstrations during the Island’s history as a U.S. Army and, later, Coast Guard base, and even contained a nine-hole golf course during the mid-20th century! The Trust regraded the Parade Ground in 2017 to create a consistent level turf grass field large enough to host soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, and other activities. The Parade Ground is a magnet for picnics and other informal gatherings, and hosts several of the Island’s largest public events–including free outdoor films, the annual Egg Hunt, and the annual Earth Day celebration.