East River Park tennis courts are back and gorgeous

After four years of construction delays and Lower East Side players scrambling for alternatives, East River Park's tennis courts reopened on May 31st with a complete transformation.

The old courts were demolished in 2021 as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project. What was supposed to be a quick rebuild turned into a four-year ordeal that left thousands of Lower East Side players without their home courts.

The wait paid off. The courts aren't simple replacements: they have better drainage, modern surfaces, and unobstructed river views.

Both locations use the standard NYC Parks permit system. No special booking is required, unlike Central Park or Prospect Park Tennis Centers.

Season: First Saturday in April through Sunday before Thanksgiving

East River isn't the only NYC court worth the trip this summer. Down in southern Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach Park reopened after a $3.8 million renovation, and the upgraded courts have already become a weekend favorite with the beach crowd. Between the two, players on both ends of the city finally have fresh options again.

With 25 million people using city courts in 2024, these new and renovated courts ease the bottleneck during peak summer hours.

The East River courts are already drawing pickup games and community clinics. Manhattan Beach is booking up on weekends thanks to the beach crowd discovering the upgraded facilities.

Availability during prime hours still exists right now. Summer is when NYC tennis gets competitive, so booking early is worth it.

The courts are open, the views are unbeatable, and for once, the city delivered exactly what it promised. Grab your racket and get on court this summer.