Recreation Programs for Seniors in New York City

In addition to administrating and maintaining the 1,700 parks in the five boroughs of New York City , the Parks Department also operates 45 recreation centers that have facilities and programs for all ages. The membership fee for a senior citizen is $10 and for that price, they can use any center in the city. Standard membership includes scheduled access to gym, pool and other facilities for one year.

Instructor-led courses such as aerobics, martial arts, music or yoga may require additional session fees. They are conveniently located to transportation and are a great place to come and make some new friends, or just connect with old ones. Each center is unique with different programs.

And while only some of them offer special seniors programs, many of them are large and offer the same facilities and are still great places to gather. Explore the one nearest you and see what they have to offer.
Manhattan

There are two centers in Manhattan that have special seniors programs.

The first one is:

Pelham Fritz Parks Department Recreation Center
18 Mount Morris Park West
New York, NY 10027
Center Manager: Hakeem Omolade
Deputy Center Manager: Tuwanda Ruffin
Phone: (212) 860-1380
Fax: (212) 860-1391
Senior Program activities include bingo, crocheting, movie day, sewing, computer classes, card games, celebrations and field trips. Monday - Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (SENIOR)
The second one is

Morningside Park Parks Department Recreation Centers
410 West 123rd St.
New York, NY 10002
Center Manager: Jackie Rowe-Adams
Deputy Center Manager: Ellis Mercer
Phone: (212) 280-0209
Fax: (212) 280-0344

There is one center in the Bronx

Owen Dolen Parks Department Recreation Center
1400 Westchester Square
Bronx, NY 10461
Center Manager: Kathy Walker
Deputy Center Manager: Janeth Delgado
Phone: (718) 822-4282 (718) 822-4202
Fax: (718) 822-4201

Senior Program Monday - Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

One in Brooklyn
Fort Hamilton Senior Center Parks Department Recreation Centers
9941 Fort Hamilton Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Center Manager: Lynn McEvoy
Deputy Center Manager: Peter Lovett
Phone: (718) 439-4296
Fax: (718) 439-4296
This one is all seniors and they have quite a line up of things including trips, tap dancing lessons and ball room dancing and a whole bunch more.

And one in Queens
Roy Wilkins Family Center Parks Department Recreation Center
177th St & Baisley Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11432
Center Manager: Edgar Saul (Acting)
Deputy Center Manager: Tammy Mitchell
Phone: (718) 276-8686
Fax: (718) 276-8690
Senior Aerobics Wednesday - Thursday
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Senior Crafts Tuesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Seniors Aqua Aerobics
Monday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

This a good example of what the other recreation centers offer.
Alfred E. Smith Center
80 Catherine Street
New York, New York 10038
Center Manager: Valerie Edwards
Deputy Center Manager: Durice Jones
Phone: (212) 285-0300
Fax: (212) 285-0302
This center does not have a specific senior citizens program, but it is open 6 days a week and has a large variety of facilities including a picnic area, a cardio room and a small kitchen.

If you are not near any of the centers that offer special seniors programs, check out the one nearest you and may be you will be the one to start a senior's group and, if enough seniors are interested, even convince them to start an official seniors program.