Sports

[UPDATED 9/09] We've added some new classes to this post about free after-school programs and wanted to share it again. There are some great, high quality after school programs that are absolutely free. Here's a round-up of the best of the free after-school programs for kids and teenagers.

Summer vacation just isn't quite complete without playing some mini golf. Luckily for those of us doing staycations you don't even have to leave the city to enjoy this favorite summer pasttime. There are lots of mini golf courses right here in NYC and even luckier, some of them are even free. Plus, since this is New York, many of these cool mini golf courses were designed by artists or have something extra fun going on.

Outdoor sports and free are not necessarily the first words that jump to the mind when thinking about summer in the City. But, it turns out, that just because you live in the concrete jungle doesn't mean your kids can't have a summer filled with great sports activities. And you don't have to be a Hilton to afford them. New York City offers many opportunities for city kids to learn team sports, tennis, swimming, golfing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping and more. We've updated this list with 15 of the best programs for kids to enjoy sports this summer:

There are plenty of free swimming pools in NYC, but if the idea of putting your kids in a public pool makes your skin crawl, then you need another option. Ideally, you have wisely cultivated a friend with access to a free pool in their building, but for those of us who are mooch-challenged, don't worry. It's not commonly known, but there are plenty of private pools in New York that you can pay to swim in just for one day, or even have a moderate membership fee.

You can check the websites of each swimming pool for their varying hours, which change by season, but I strongly recommend that you call before you go because many of them close randomly for events or may have changed their policy.

Bicycling is having a real renaissance in New York City. We're seeing more bike paths and more nice places to bike, plus more resources and programs to make biking easier, more affordable and fun. Find out below some of the best resources for New York City Bikers from the best places to bike with kids, where to get New York City bike maps, bike rentals, free bikes to borrow and more.

Every May, New Yorkers celebrate Bike Month. This year, it’s more important than ever: With the recession still in full swing, families are looking for cheaper transportation alternatives. But most importantly, bicycling is a fun and healthy way for kids and parents to spend some quality time together. So with that in mind, we present some of our favorite family friendly bike events for May—and beyond.

The largest park in the South Bronx, Crotona Park is a 127 acre natural oasis containing 28 different species of trees, a 3.3 acre lake, 11 playgrounds, playing fields, and basketball courts. Most Bronxites would agree that the true gem of Crotona Park is the 300 foot public pool… it’s the perfect spot to take the kids to cool off on a hot summer day. Other big draws for families with young children who visit the park are the recreation and nature centers, both of which offer outstanding programming to introduce kids to nature. Crotona Park also has the honor of appearing in Mommy Poppins’ "Best Sledding Hills in New York City” post. For all you tennis buffs out there, Crotona Park’s 20 tennis courts are home to the annual Bronx Pro Tennis Classic.

At nearly 3,000 acres, Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in New York City (take that, Central Park!). Home to Orchard Beach, the Bartow-Pell Mansion, the Pelham-Split Rock Golf Course (the only 36 hole course in NYC), and a stone’s throw away from City Island, Pelham Bay Park provides almost any distraction you’re looking for to spend a day outdoors with the kids. From hiking to horseback riding to biking, this park has it all. The only negative aspect of Pelham Bay Park can be the crowds during the summer, but this is mostly an issue at Orchard Beach. With 3,000 acres, there’s plenty of space to go around!

At over 1,000 acres of land, Van Cortlandt is the fourth largest park in New York City. The possibilities for family fun at Van Cortlandt are endless… There are playing fields and courts for every sport imaginable (baseball, basketball, tennis, softball, football, soccer, Gaelic football, bocci, cricket, handball/paddleball), along with an 18-hole golf course, a 9-hole golf course with driving range, hiking trails, four playgrounds, and a world-class cross country running course. Van Cortlandt is also home to the Riverdale Equestrian Centre, which provides riding lessons for both children and adults. If horseback riding isn’t enough to make you forget you’re in the city, you can also take the kids fishing in Van Cortlandt Lake. The park offers countless programs and educational opportunities for kids throughout the year. There’s even a pubic pool at Van Cortlandt… and it’s not gross! In Summer 2008, it was named the borough’s best pool by the Daily News due to its cleanliness and impressive amount of lifeguards on duty. Just remember if you plan on swimming, you should bring a lock with you. They are very strict about making sure everyone’s belongings are protected and won’t let you in without one.

This well-manicured park (whose name can be misleading... it's actually located in the Norwood section of the Bronx) hosts many programs and offers an array of amenities for families, all of which are open to the public for a nominal annual fee (and free for kids). Some of the major highlights you'll find at the Oval include: tennis courts, four different playgrounds, shuffle board courts, basketball courts, a newly renovated synthetic turf playing field with surrounding track, as well as a top notch recreation center with a fitness room, senior citizen room, and computer resource center. The recreation center hosts an array of interesting programs, including an after-school program, karate, self-defense, and arts and crafts. At just under 20 acres, the Oval is a quaint little park with the unbeatable amenities that rival any large city park.