Riverside Park Conservancy | October 10, 2024
A Growing Camp Community in Fort Washington Park
Youth sports are a great unifier – no matter where you’re from or what language you speak. At Riverside Park Conservancy’s Multi-Sports Summer Camp in Fort Washington Park, it’s the shared physical activity that brings together kids from different backgrounds to exercise, have fun and form connections – alongside the natural beauty of the Hudson River shoreline.
In 2022, the Conservancy expanded its successful sports camp model at West 102nd Street to a second location in Fort Washington Park, making use of the area’s tennis courts, soccer fields, and volleyball courts. This new location offers neighborhood children aged 4-16 the opportunity to participate in high-quality, full-day athletic instruction. At Sports Camp, young athletes work with coaching professionals to build their skills alongside teammates in a picturesque park setting.
“Our Fort Washington Camp has sparked a lot of excitement and curiosity within the uptown community,” said Ahmed Cohen, the Conservancy’s Sports Camp & Facilities Manager. “There’s definitely a need for more outdoor-based sports programming in this neighborhood. Our campers have an opportunity form close connections with their coaches thanks to our small group sizes, and it’s a great way for them to really hone their skills in their chosen sport.”
Making Camp Possible for More Local Kids
The need for quality, affordable, local summer camp options is greater than ever. The Conservancy’s goal is to make its neighborhood-based camp accessible for more kids in Washington Heights and West Harlem. Poverty rates in these communities are three times higher than neighborhoods just to the south, making fee-based summer programs out of reach for many local families. At the same time, most free outdoor programs are located far away, a challenge for younger kids who can’t travel by themselves. The Conservancy’s model is to offer need-based financial aid, ranging from partially discounted to completely free tuition.
“We’re really excited to keep expanding youth sports opportunities here in Fort Washington Park. It’s such a beautiful spot to experience nature, exercise and human connection,” said Merritt Birnbaum, the Conservancy’s President & CEO. “Being able to hit a tennis ball in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, or score your first soccer goal while enjoying the cool breezes off the River – these are the magical moments that will stay with these kids forever. The Park is a tremendous asset, and we want more children to be able to make their formative memories here.”
“Fort Washington Soccer Camp is a rare uptown option for our kids in the summer,” said one parent who had struggled to find a good program close to home. “My kid doesn’t like taking the train,” chimed in another parent. “This camp is within walking distance from our place.”
Serving Children of Asylum Seekers
Thanks to a new collaboration with the Parks’s neighbor, NewYork-Presbyterian, the Conservancy was able to create a special program that worked to overcome barriers and make it easier for asylum seekers to enroll their children in Sports camp. With the surge of new immigrants to New York over the past few years, including 40,000 school-aged children since 2022 alone, the youth programming system is overwhelmed. For many of these kids, summer presents a unique challenge as their families struggle with unstable housing and a lack of planned enrichment activities. The Conservancy is grateful to NewYork-Presbyterian for understanding this need and stepping in to help fill the gap.
NewYork-Presbyterian generously provided full scholarships for kids to attend five weeks of the Conservancy’s Sports camp. Conservancy staff worked closely with local schools and other nonprofits to conduct outreach and help newly arrived families navigate the enrollment process.
The Conservancy looks forward to the 2025 season of Sports Camp in Fort Washington Park and hopes to welcome more families and children from the community to enjoy sports along the Hudson River. For more information about Sports Camp, please contact [email protected].
About Riverside Park Conservancy
From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.