Jay Hood Wright Park

This park is a small oasis on the edge of Washington Heights.
I go to this park daily for exercising, lunch, and just plain relaxing. There’s a large field in the middle of the park. Around the park, there’s a playground, a basketball/​volleyball courts, a recreational center, a dog park, and a scenic view point.
The recreational center leaves a lot to want as it is super small and dingy. It’s definitely no frills. I would not shower there. But It’ll do if you work in the area and want to work out at lunch time.
The scenic point is the highlight of the park. It’s at the back of the park, and you can see the New Jersey, the Hudson River, and the George Washington Bridge. There are benches and a few trees in this elevated scenic point, and it was built in a boulder. It’s pretty cool. It’s far from the playground, so it’s usually quiet. The scenic point is a great spot to de-​stress and meditate.
Here’s a fun fact: J. Hood Wright Park is named for a rich banker whose mansion was on the site of the park. This banker made tons of large contributions to the nearby public library.

I love this park! I’ve been going there since I was very young. Lots of friendly people here. Lots of families and people who are active. It’s calm and a nice place to go when you need some fresh air.

I grew up across the street from the park, i remember always going there but now everytime i walk by the park i always see rats and homeless people. This park has become really dirty!

Nice sized park, well kept. Lots of families visit here, and there is an overlook of the Hudson and the Bridge :) They also just put in a dog park, which is nice.

I grew up across the street from this park and it has blossomed into a great place for the entire neighborhood!

I work across the street from this park and from my office window I found myself gazing into the park more times than once. The sights and sounds were calling my name and I had to visit. The jungle gym actually resembles the George Washington Bridge which is a stone’s throw away from the park. The grounds are clean and very well maintained. Trash receptors are readily available and easily accessible.
Have you heard the expression that the «grass is always greener on the other side «, well this is the other side. The grass is always green here and well manicured. I have visited at different times throughout the day and there is always a staff from Parks and Recreation somewhere within the vicinity.
There are basketball courts not too far from the childrens play yard area but far enough to keep the children secure and safe.
My after school participants brought out the yoga mats and enjoyed yoga in the park on the grassy knolls.
Parks and recreation also have several free programs throughout the week for the community.
There’s also a fenced in dog park.
What are you waiting for… Come thru!

My favorite midsize park. Playground, older folks, exercise groups, dog parks, kids smooching in hidden corners, leaf composting… this park has a little of everything.
Love the pastelito salesladies in the summer. Love the sport grounds. LOVE the lookout — in all weather! It is truly amazing in clouds, in rain, in sun, at sunset — must go to the north west corner and check that out. Even the folks who clean the park are so nice!
Excellent destination. I am moving soon but will miss it terribly and will certainly visit when I am on breaks from class just around the corner.
Tips:
Early in the morning dogs can be off leash unofficially. Be mindful of some non fixed dogs that go to the dog park with stubborn owners.

Roy’s Top 5 Things to Know:
1. You’re allowed to bbq in select grassy areas here.
2. There’s a dog run within the park.
3. There are special events here in the summer.
4. There is a playground reflective of the GWB, there are handball courts, basketball courts, sprinklers, baseball play area (concrete), swings, sandbox, and a polls for you to set up a volleyball game.
5. This park has stunning views of the GWB.

Stunning park with a great view of the GWB and a dog friendly park with a fenced in area toward the back so you can let the little pups off the leash for a bit to tire them out. Occasionally you’ll see a few sun bathers, but there’s a fair amount of trees there so it’s not an overabundance.

J Hood Wright park is one of my favourite parks in New York. It’s along Fort Washington avenue, in the hilly Washington heights, right off the 175^th st subway station.
It’s bordered by 173^rd st to the south, 175^th to the north, Haven ave to the west and Ft Washington ave to the east. It ‘s quite big and I’ve always seen it crowded with children playing and chilling out during summer time.
The part I prefer is the terrace, on the hill to the right of the park, that offers a few benches and stunning, unobstructed views of G Washington bridge, the Hudson river and New Jersey; that’s an amazing view, especially at the sunset. I love staying here, sitting on a bench and enjoying the quiet of the hood.
From here, looking to the left, you can see the Washington houses, with the typical dark red brick walls and characteristic fire excape stairs; I’m sure these apartments offer the same view to those lucky to have windows facing the river.
This terrace appears in an episode of the tv show «Blue Bloods», featuring D. Whalberg, that is about a family of cops in New York City.
#discovering#Washington#Heights##