A pretty good park around Harlem. It feels like it's pretty safe considering the area isn't the safest outside the park. St. Nicholas Park is like an urban oasis with lots of green space. Mostly safe during the day. There's lots of cool stairs. It has a pretty interesting design with it being on the side of a hill. Lots of stairs that are helpful getting up some of the more treacherous areas in the park. The park is like a big slope and it gets pretty steep. Has lots of bike and running paths on the upper area. There's also wide open spaces good for picnics. Festivals occur occasionally and there's some concerts. The stairs make for good exercise and there's always some exercise group here it seems. Could be cleaner. It need to be more maintained. There too often is lots of left behind junk and trash. read more

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During my consumption of wanderlust in search and find of Asian bubble tea, I encountered St. Nicholas Park intersecting St. Nicholas Avenue at 127th Street, St. Nicholas Terrace and 141st Street, bordering Manhattan neighborhoods of Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, and Harlem. New York City College of CUNY is located within the perimeter edge of this park. St. Nicholas Park contains lots of lush fields of green lawns and abundant trees for 22.74 acreage. (source: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/st-nicholas-park/history) I can visualize the autumn / Fall scenic landscaping of how beautiful the change of leaves color. I walked around the northern perimeter sidewalk which was very hilly as a uphill battle against gravity to ensure diaphragmatic breathing. St. Nicholas Park was built on a rugged mass of rock of steep, high elevation hills, rugged uneven terrain and irregular topography of northern Manhattan which has hills and steep inclines. Alexander Hamilton's 1802 estate, Hamilton Grange, was relocated to the St. Nicholas Park's northern end. This park gets the job done for my leisure of its history settled by Dutch farmers in the late 1600s and its lush green landscape scenery. Note: This park is easily accessible by B and C local trains at 135th Street station intersecting St. Nicholas Avenue. Bring a camera for scenic landscape photos and wear sneakers to climb the uphill gravitational battle. read more

St. Nicholas Park - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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The people that trash the park are right to. While the park has a good soul and the people are full of spirit, it is largely neglected by NYC and located next to the immaculately cared for neighboring Morningside park adorned with beautiful plantings, a turtle pond, completed redone staircases, it is clearly the Cinderella of Harlem. Beautiful but neglected. The city chooses to help parks in ultra reach areas. It does nothing where there is less money. So yes..trash, invasive plants, dog poo, overgrown weeds and poison ivy dominate the landscape. Even with a national treasure on its grounds, absolutely no attention is given to this potentially stunningly beautiful park. Also I haven't seen a single police officer even once in the park...ever! The only people who do work are volunteers but the job is just too big. Without them the park would be a dump. read more

On several occasions I've had the opportunity to visit this city park. I find it full of colorful people and full of energetic activities. I'm never there in Winter so maybe that's why! Since my knowledge is limited to days when I've visited I can say for events there's plenty of security. The park is clean. I'm sure they offer a wide array of activities for the community. The signage is plentiful. I'm posting some of my favorite photos. Once I was at an event and Bill De Blasio spoke. You can see him in my photo if you look closely. The closest I've ever gotten to a NYC Mayor! There's always music of some kind. I'm sharing my photos of a cool band in their colorful garb. Their sound made me want to dance! If you're wandering around or just enjoy visiting parks, this one is nice to add to your portfolio! read more

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Wow, what a gem of a park Harlem has. It's so spacious and has handball courts, basketball courts, bathrooms, spray showers, dog-friendly areas, barbeque areas, and of course, Alexander Hamilton's house, The Grange. With over 22 acres to explore, this is a pretty low-key local community park. Keep an eye out for Movies Under the Stars here, too, along with events like Black Girl Magic, Harlem Week, and Sunday Sermon Fest. Props for all the events and the culture. The park closes at 10pm and is pretty and clean. It's right next to City College of New York's campus, and entrances are very difficult to find. I kept walking to 141st to get in. There's some construction on the west side, which makes it inconvenient right now. You'll see what I mean when you go. Regardless, it makes for a relaxing walk or nap at any time of day. read more

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Park is in major need of a keeper, a grounds man. There is trash everywhere. Nothing is pruned, trimmed and maintained. What a shame! I live only 2 blocks away and like to come here for a walk after a nice dinner, but this park needs a lot of attention. I hope the change is coming..... Parents teach your kids to use trash cans, and adults teach yourself to use trash cans! read more

St. Nicholas Park - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

This is a nice park located in Harlem, NY. I had the pleasure of walking through this park several times, as I was exploring the entirety of the island. The park is long, running north and south, with several hills and stairwells. The high ground is the west side, which hugs New York City college. The lower ground is the east side, which has a subway stop directly below it, and a residential area in the immediate surrounding. The park is frequented by fitness-minded locals. I say many people walking their pets, jogging, and playing basketball here. The greenery is a good contrast with the surrounding buildings, and makes for some good photography. The greenery is also thicker here than the one found in the southwestern US. This park is fairly peaceful. There is not a lot of noisy here, and it was not crowded the few times I've come here. Although I am not big on cardio, this is a good place to take a stroll and unwind after a stressful day. read more

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I was at the Juneteenth celebration yesterday. Check out the pictures. The young girl danced with Uncle Bojangles at the Juneteenth celebration all night long. Both of them didn't know when to stop until the Mayor came on the scene and turned off the funky music. Bummer! I took this photo of these people in the African robes and the lady in the inside-out minister's collar at the Juneteeth celebration yesterday. I don't know who they are but they sure look important. These are a few pictures of Mayor de Blasio's Juneteenth celebration at St. Nicholas Park. NY1 Peroter Angie Gonzales was on the scene doing her thing as was Brad Hoylman and his campaign staff Gina & Gino. The music was great and everybody had a wonderful time mingling with each other and dancing until Mayor de Blasio & his wife and Chuck Schumer got on stage and started congratulating each other. Then they had the most corniest live entertainment ever and people started to ... See More read more

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They have swings big and small and plenty of benches across from spanish restataunt. Kids love it not always crowded. Quiet. Nice to grt on big swongs when i can like today when its not too crowded I feel like a big kid with my big kid. :) read more

St. Nicholas Park - Out enjoying the evening - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Good place to run. So many gottdamn stairs. Good if you are practicing climbing stairs? I wish there was more park here but it was pretty empty on a Saturday afternoon so come and bring the pups! read more

St. Nicholas Park - Pretty good place to run - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

It's no Central Park but it gets the job done! Nice place to lay out and enjoy the sun if you get a good spot. Great for kids and a walk. Could be cleaner but that is the fault of park goers. Bathrooms are usually locked or out of service which is ok since Im not too far away. read more

This is a refreshing park for a neighborhood that is desperately lacking places for refuge. Located on a steep hill, the park acts as a barrier between Central Harlem and Hamilton Heights. The rolling hills and lush green trees are picturesque. The view of Harlem and City College is nice. Some beautiful old brownstones on nearby Convent Avenue are unexpected for the neighborhood. The Hamilton Grange is located in the park which is actually a National Memorial and according to Wikipedia the oldest surviving structure in Manhattan. I've walked through on several occasions and even had a picnic on one occasion. I haven't run into any crackheads as some have claimed roam around here. When I have come, I've seen families, people walking their dogs and school students sneaking off to smoke pot and make out. It's relatively empty which makes it an even nicer escape in the crowded city. The bad....as beautiful as the park could be, it's littered with trash. Dime bags, papers, plastic cups, graffiti on rocks, you name it. Why people choose out of ignorance or apathy to spoil their own surroundings will forever remain a mystery to me. I live in the neighborhood, and in general there are some sketchy residents.... You will hear sirens blasting continuously. I wouldn't say it's dangerous but I wouldn't come here after dark. read more

St. Nicholas Park - Hamilton Grange - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent. 1) The park hosts the Hamilton Grange National Memorial - the only home purchased by Alexander Hamilton. 2) The park sits between City College and giant churches. Great views. 3) Overall, nice place to relax. read more

St. Nicholas Park - Nice artwork and stairs - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

St Nic Park is a constant go-to for the pup and I seeing as how they have enormous open grassy lawns overlooking the city, picnic areas and shade trees along with a huge dog park with separate areas for upset pups and friendly ones alike. It's a few blocks from my house, and while Riverside may be closer it wasn't until recently we got a dog park on Riverside Park (which is only one block away[also Jennifer and I helped build it with the community]). The park is kept pretty clean, actually and offers some lovely vantage points to sit and soak it all in, while being large enough in size to insulate you from the noise of traffic, sirens, etc. There are also several handball and basketball courts in it, and it's multi-leveled so the stairs offer a great excuse to burn some calories. read more

This park is a breath of fresh air. Plenty of stairs and trees and scenic views, perfect for a morning walk or a midday stroll. The stairs provide good exercise and varied pathways, which makes the trip more interesting. Also, there are also other facilities, like tennis courts and a playground (and a neighboring bathroom) to keep you busy. Evidently, St. Nick's is especially attractive for dog lovers, since I always see people taking their pups out for a walk. I noticed there's a dog park (I guess that's what's it is? More like a tiny gated box) that owners visit with their best friends. Very pleasant, unless you're afraid of dogs or unable to climb stairs. I haven't visited the park in the dark, so I don't know about the level safety at night... But during the daytime I feel totally at ease. read more

St. Nicholas Park - The foliage is glorious! - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

On their way to the dog run, run down a large flight of stone stairs, into the playground, with one sprinkler. Vacant benches, paint peeling, in the shade of the Hamilton Grange, In the shade of City College, between churches and rehabs, run by beggars and neighbors. Eat your Devin's fish sandwich, on the great green lawn, before taking the B/C back to reality. read more

Hey Runners! Two laps around Saint Nick will give you a nice 3.5 miles which includes an amazingly KILLER incline near the Hamilton House. Working on your speed? Do this hill! Also, keep you eyes peeled for Harlem Week in the summer. Saint Nick usually holds a series of family friendly summer events and concerts there. It's always been good clean fun. My only con is that I wish the grounds were better kept. St. Nick can get pretty gross due to heavy foot traffic and trifling locals. read more

I love this little park. Right next to the 135th B/C stop, it's a thin strip of park a block wide and a dozen or so blocks long. It's all one big long hill. There's a great lawn right behind the subway stop at 135th street, perfect for sitting, sunning, picnicking, etc. It too is one big hill, so anything sporty beyond a game of catch or tag would be tough. There's a little dog run in the middle, up near the top of the hill. I love St. Nick's for the stairs. When I'm feeling snappy I'll take an hour, weave my way through the long park on the various paths, and work those stairs out. Generally not crowded, nice and shady, and for me, close to home. It's right between two schools, so from 3-4 it's a hip-happening place to be. If you're in a picnic type of mood, you could go to the subway sandwich place across the street on 135, but I'd walk the extra half block to Food Inc. at the corner and get your grub there. Best bodega in the WORLD. read more

First of all all the comments about the park and Harlem disturb me a bit.. As for aggressive dogs - Most people treat their dogs like people WRONG... Cesar Milan 101 owners must be the alpha. As to the crackheads comments you have them on Wall Street/ I know tons of detectives and plainclothes cops who tell me this all the time HARLEM WAS AND HAS BEEN AROUND FOR EVER - the only reason people keep making these snide passive remarks is because they want it sanitized I don't want it sanitized By The way we had people visiting Harlem for our cultural institutions SINCE THE 1920"S NO ONE DISCOVERED THIS AREA. we always accept all folks new comers.. but please refrain from he nice nasty remarks. The dog run is fabulous! read more

My favorite park in NYC. Having gone to A. phillip Randolph and City College, this park has been a refuge on stressful days, an escape from the outside walls. The Hamilton house is gorgeous i stumbled by it one day as I walked with my dog, now its one of my favorite places to go. Great scenery. There are swings, basketball courts, bbq designated areas and places to feel one with Nature while still being close with your city. read more

The park is on a huge schist hill. Several levels of stairs. A dog run with a smaller section for small or aggressive dogs. If you use the dog park, you might want to bring your own poop bags, and some water. The dog run has a wood chip surface, and is maintained by volunteers. During the summer they meet from 9-11 am on the first Saturday of the month. http://stnicholaspark.org/dogrun/ There are basketball and handball courts, chess tables, and picnic tables. The Alexander Hamilton Grange is located on the north side of the property, having been recently moved there. The building is still under renovation, but should be open next year. We've never had problems in the park, but I wouldn't go there alone at night, as it isn't all that well lit. The upper part of the park is frequented by down-low, druggies, and rough trade at night. Alicia Keys filmed her first video in this park. The views of Manhattan are spectacular at the top of the park. Above the park is a NYC Public School and the main City College campus. The 135th street B and C stop is at the bottom of the park. read more

It's always great to see more green space in this city! St. Nicholas Park is a great place to hang out in when you're looking for a smaller park escape. While incomparable to the sprawling acres of land that is Central Park, St. Nick is well equipped with playgrounds, stairs, trees and greenery, and a few basketball courts. Every so often you can see families barbecuing for their kids birthdays or much larger community gatherings bustling with life. St. Nick is also great for outdoor workouts - well-equipped with steep stairwells and hilly pathways that make for a good calorie-burning jog. The park is very clean and because of its hilly location offers some great vantage points to look out on the sprawling city below. read more

St. Nicholas Park - One of the entrances - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

This park could be wonderful if it weren't for all the trash ( saw a neighborhood boy take his burger out of the bag and toss the whole back 3 feet from the trash can) the dog crap (saw a girl make her dog crap on the side walk without stopping, looked down and left it there) , the GLASS there is broken glass EVERYWHERE which is so hazardous as I have to walk in the grass with the dogs I walk. RUDE people I get heckled all the time I had a guy approach me and offered to pay me to walk his 'pit bull' and be his secret lover. This park could be something wonderful because it is pretty but the residents in the area need to RESPECT themselves, their neighbors and their neighborhood. For that I would rather stay away. read more

I'm a student at City College, which is basically right across the street from this park. When I have breaks in-between classes, I sometimes take walks around here. A lot of people walk their dogs in this park, and regrettably, many people do not clean up after their pets. Near the basketball courts, in particular, you will see so many dog feces on the ground. The park has some staircases that are broken down and cracked up; a repair job would really help the park's appearance. Some of the areas are dark and depressing because the trees block off sunlight and the overgrown bushes make you feel closed in. read more

Such a long block. There is a lot of space and a good alternative to central park. It is great for BBQs as well or playing with your dog. I enjoy it for long walks. There are always people there enjoying themselves and lively. There are basketball games going on by 135th street and City College is right by it. read more

Eddie (Chad) was in the house again. Earl made a valiant effort, hope to see them again during the next snow storm. The kids are loving the new snowboards, love St Nick Park on Snow days read more

This amazing park also has one of the best dog runs in the whole city. It is large and has an active dog community which hosts a monthly coffee bark and cleanup days. Fresh woodchips are always inside the run as well as plastic bags for picking up. To get involved go to www.stnicholaspark.org read more

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A strange sliver of a park situated in the steep hill adjacent to City College. 13 city blocks long and only 2 city blocks at the widest with a total of 14 staircases, some long and some short. It is the home to the Hamilton Grange National Memorial, Alexander Hamilton's federal style country estate moved to the park from Convent Avenue in 2008. In some places you'll have great treetop views of the city below. I come here to run in the summer. I run the whole length twice and include all the stairs two times. It's a great lower body workout and takes me approx. 50 minutes. Sometimes I see people sleeping in the thicket so stick to the main pathways. There are some issues that makes this less of a picnic type park. Too much garbage and dog poop. However I give the Parks Department props for stepping up the maintenance, clearing the overgrown weeds and removing garbage. I think the designated barbecue areas are a great feature, however, I suspect a large portion of the garbage being left over from these parties. It attracts rats and other vermin and makes the park less attractive. read more

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Stay out of the park at night..... Because of the COPS That's right I'm A CCNY graduate and I heard bad things about the park while a student at CCNY. But at the end of April I was in the neighborhood with a friend we cut through the park to get to the other side (towards Covent age). We were stopped at the last flight of stair by the cops. There was a police van tool They asked us where we were going and took ID's, checked us for warrants, held us for 15 minutes and gave us tickets for criminal trespassing. ( it was a few minutes after 10 pm and technically the park was closed). But who could read that small sign in that poorly lit area. So much for a free country. :(. read more

I used to be afraid to go into this park but as the years have past and and neighborhood changed I came to find out that it is a relatively nice park. It is situated right below CCNY and St. Nicholas Avenue. The B and C train drop you off right there on 135th Street. The Friends of St. Nicholas Park have done a great job of restoring the park to it's original glory. They have been hard at work putting in dog runs (with the help of volunteers) and now it is a haven for the neighborhood pooches. Gorgeous sprawling lawn on St. Nicholas and shady areas throughout the park. On the 141st side you have the courts where you will find locals playing chess, handball, volleyball or basketball. Venture into the park going toward Convent Avenue and you will find more courts and lots of picnic space...with coveted grills. If you know it is illegal to grill just anywhere so this is one of the few parks that actually allows grilling. Picnic tables under shady trees make it a great summer hang out. As an aside, they are trying to relocate Hamilton Grange (Alexander Hamilton's home) to the park. read more

St. Nicholas Park - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

This is a handy little park to walk through as a shortcut to get up/down the hill to the drastically differing levels of that area. I thought that was all it was. But one day I took a minute, sat, and observed. It can actually be a nice, chill spot. Now, after dark? There can be some choice characters. But, during the day, it can be a cool spot, at the very least for a nice rest on a day's walk. read more

This is a beautiful park. I used to walk through here every night after midnight, despite everyone's warnings, and not only did I not have a problem but also it was awesome. One time at about 2 AM, I was walking up one of the stairways and there was a mega-sized dude walking down the stairs. We both looked over, and to the south there was a family sledding down the hill. The mega-sized dude and I looked at each other and shared a warm smile. It was a little Christmas love in Saint Nick's park. read more

The park looks nice- I'm not disputing that. However, if you enter the park then you'll likely end up as a victim of a felony. It is a seedy park. I attended CCNY. Most students avoided the park like the bubonic plague. The only time I entered the park was when I was doing a project for a geology class and it was with a group of students. If you want to commit suicide then enter the park after dark. read more

great place to workout in the morning. Be careful of the steep steps and dog poop

From Hamilton Heights, the Photog, SamTheDog and I have access to Central Park, Riverside Park, Morningside Park and St. Nicholas Park. St. Nicholas is probably one of the stranger layouts (basically a steep hill that's several blocks long), but it's always filled with plenty of nice people w/their kids and dogs. Good sledding in the winter, decent dog park, and plenty of history. Unfortunately also a fair amount of litter and broken glass, esp in the summer. Nice trees and flowers, great subway access. read more

A beautifully landscaped, steeply sloped park with great views of central and eastern Harlem, beyond.

your review helps others learn about great local businesses. please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. first i wanna say that, there are more crack heads visibly in mid town and downtown area than any where in manhattan!!!! st nicholas park area is a beautiful area especially in the summer time. the park is filled with children playing and people having barbecue reunions with thier families and c,lose friends. i dont know why people are making it out to be such a drug infested environment which is totally false. try going to the bronx!! read more