Park barbecues: Where to grill in NYC this summer

The park barbecue is a great Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day standby. Gather your friends and fire up the grill in one of these park barbecue areas.

By Time Out editors Tue May 7 2013

  • Photograph: Jonathan Aprea

    Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

  • Alley Pond Park

Photograph: Jonathan Aprea

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

Queens parks with barbecuing areas

For permits and other information, call 718-393-7272 or visit nycgovparks.org

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

  • Critics choice
  • Free

Queens’ largest green space has so much to offer that the two barbecue areas, located on either side of picturesque Meadow Lake, can often be overlooked. Both zones boast grills and lots of space, but we advise sticking to the east side, which lies slightly farther from the nearby expressways. Consider pregaming there during the US Open, held at the park’s USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, or before Mets games at neighboring Citi Field.

  1. Enter at Jewel Ave and Van Wyck Expwy
More info

Alley Pond Park, Queens Village

Brimming with wetlands and meadows, the picturesque park reveals glimmers of sunshine through a canopy of trees. Its small, mostly blacktop barbecue area has only three grills, so get there early to claim a flame, or at least a place in line for one.

  1. Enter at 232nd St and 67th Ave
More info

Forest Park, Woodhaven

  • Free

This is the largest continuous oak forest in Queens, slightly marred by two roads that run through an otherwise all-natural backdrop. You should be okay if you just face away from the traffic and get all Iron Chef on the five grills available.

  1. Enter at Woodhaven Blvd at Forest Park Dr
More info

More Queens grill spots

  1. Manhattan
  2. Brooklyn
  3. Queens
  4. Bronx
  5. Staten Island
Share your thoughts
  4. * mandatory fields

Comments & ratings

Rated as: 0/5 (0 ratings)

  • I really don't think it's fair that the only place you can enjoy a family BBQ is north of 145 street what happenedto the family that live below 145st... that rule really sucks and its not fair..

    lisalaflaca Wed Jul 4 2012
    Report

  • LaBelleVie- it is Riverside park that they are referring to. Riverbank state park has an entry at 145th street and goes downtown to 137th street while Riverside park is the park that starts at 145th street and goes uptown. ( you can get to Riverside park via Riverbank park by taking some stairs down)http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/barbecue

    Riverside Park Mon May 28 2012
    Report

  • it is called riverbank state park not riverside. check the facts.

    LaBelleVie Sat May 26 2012
    Report

  • great info however, the parks and recreations website states "May I hold my event on a major holiday weekend (Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day)? No, we are not able to issue permits for major holiday weekends, as we keep spaces clear for public use on a first-come, first-served basis on those days."

    zeke3572003 Tue May 22 2012
    Report