By Carol Tannenhauser
NYC Parks announced on Tuesday, February 15, that its online tennis permit purchasing system is launching for the season. A press release provided all the information you’ll need to get a permit and use it to its fullest:
Tennis enthusiasts and those who may be interested in giving it a swing this year can purchase or renew their tennis permit online beginning today, February 15. Tennis courts will officially open for the season beginning Sunday, April 3. The online tennis permit system streamlines the process and will make it even easier to renew for yourself or a loved one next year.
“Our outdoor tennis courts are treasured recreational spaces in all five boroughs as they provide fun and healthy exercise in the sunshine,” said NYC Parks Acting Commissioner Liam Kavanagh. “Whether you’re playing singles, doubles, or learning to play for the first time, your tennis reservation is only a few clicks away online.”
A permit is required to use an outdoor tennis court from the first Sunday of April to the Sunday before Thanksgiving. You can apply here. Full-season permits for adults ages 18 to 61 cost $100. Adults with a valid IDNYC card can receive 10% off their full-season permit fee. Permits for seniors ages 62 and older cost $20. Permits for kids and teens younger than 18 years old cost $10. Once purchased, tennis permits cannot be refunded or transferred.
Please allow up to three weeks to receive your tennis permit by mail. Same-day permits are not offered online.
For more about tennis courts and making permit reservations please visit here.
FYI–players can also get their permits in person at Paragon Sports at union square. They give buyers an extra discount on tennis stuff the day they get their pass.
If you get your pass at Paragon, you CAN NOT renew online in the future. You have to go back to Paragon to get a pass every year.
Just a word of caution.
SM–if you buy at Paragon, nothing prevents you from buying it online from the Parks Department IN THE FUTURE. Just like any regular person. For Paragon, you can apply online and pick up in person but they do not send it to you. I like to do it on a M W F so I can hit the greenmarket on the same trip.
Not a big issue, but my understanding is that you will need to get a NEW permit if you get one from the Parks department, not a RENEWAL, if you purchase from Paragon. This will require you to go to the Armory (for example), and get your photo taken.
I could be wrong … I’ve still got my original pass from 1995, lol!
Maybe a silly question- Does only one person have to hold the permit? Or everyone on the court?
In addition to the annual permit, you can also buy single-play permits ($15). Folks who plan to play less than 7 times/year are better off buying single-play permits.
Central Park rules: A court needs two permits per hour. If you want to play doubles (4 people) for only one hour, you only need two permits. If you want to play doubles for two hours, all four people need a permit. Two sign in for the first hour and the other two sign in for the 2nd hour.
Emailie ,
Every person on the court must either have a permit or pay $15 for a single play pass each day they play. All players sign in for courts and passes/permits are checked by a Parks employee.
Not quite true. You can play doubles for 1 hour with only two out of the four players having a permit.
You need two people with permits to get a court for 1 hour. You can play doubles (4 people) if you like. If you want to play doubles for 2 consecutive hours, 2 people with permits book the first hour, 2 other people with permits book the second hour. All 4 play for both hours.
The shortcoming of purchasing your permit at paragon is that paragon cannot rent u a locker. Only the arsenal can rent u a locker.