A recreational gem in Crown Heights
Located in the diverse Crown Heights neighborhood, and adjacent to Bedford-Stuyvesant, the St. John’s Recreation Center is part of Robert Moses’ urban legacy. Opened in 1951 and renovated in the late 1980s, it is considered an excellent year-round recreation area, especially for teenagers. It is one of the seven large public recreational facilities covered by the New York Department of Parks in Brooklyn, NY. A story about the history of the recreation center also appeared in Brownstoner.
Although membership is required to use the pool, there are a number of free activities for children and adults.
The St. John Recreation Center offers free after-school programs, computer labs, and tennis classes. After-school programs, which include computer labs, are held Monday through Friday until 6 pm. Free tennis lessons are offered on Saturday mornings.
Millennium Basketball League is a free basketball league and tournament for kids. The league is open to boys (ages 8-16) and girls (ages 8-13) at participating recreation centers in St. John’s and Brownsville Red Hook.
Both “Shape Up NYC Body Conditioning” and Shape Up NYC Cardio Sculpt classes are held at the St. John Recreation Center. Classes are free and for participants of all ages.
Outdoor facilities at Brooklyn’s St. John’s Recreation Center
- 3 athletic fields
- playground
For KIDS and TEENS in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Teen Room
- kitchen
- Gym
- 6 basketball courts
- 2 fitness rooms
- computer room
- 2 changing rooms
Special programs
- Free after school program
- Free Millennium Basketball League
- Free tennis lessons
- Basketball
- Computer lab
- Game room
- Gym
- Swimming with the family
- Swimming
- Children’s swimming camp
- Weight and cardio room
For ADULTS and SENIORS in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
- Basketball
- Computer lab
- Swimming with the family
- Gym
- Ladies night
- Padded
- Low Impact Senior Aerobics
- Major walk
- Senior Water Aerobics
- NYC Shape Up Body Sculpting Classes
- Shape Up NYC Cardio Sculpt classes
- Swimming
- Tai Chi and Chi Kung
- Weight and cardio room
Of course, the programs change from time to time. Contact the New York Parks Department or the number below for information on this season’s hours.
Where is: St. John’s Recreation Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
- Address: 1251 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11213
- Phone: (718) 771-2787
- Nearest Metro: One train to Utica Avenue then short walk or 3, 4 train to Utica Avenue then short walk
- Nearest bus: B65, B15 bus to Schenectady Avenue or B45 bus to Schenectady Avenue
- Cross Streets: Troy and Schenectady Avenue (St. John’s Park)
- Neighborhood: Crown Heights
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm
- Fee: group membership required. Some programs are free.
- Find out more on the official website
Edited by Alison Lowenstein
