1 / 3Astoria Heights Playground
📍 Queens, NY
Large outdoor playground in Queens with six handball walls, tennis courts, and expansive open play areas. Free entry, toddler-friendly zones alongside sports courts for older kids.
There are some groups at the tennis courts who don’t follow the rules of courteous play, so be ready to stand up for yourself if needed. Generally, we follow the one-hour rule—each group plays for an hour, then gives the court to the next group. Some people say doubles (with four players) can stay for two hours, which seems to be accepted. But watch out—some people try to exploit the system like they’re finding a glitch in a video game. For example, two groups might be playing singles on two courts for over an hour, then halfway through, their friends show up and they suddenly claim it’s now doubles time and continue playing, skipping over people who’ve been waiting. There are always selfish people who act like the world revolves around them. In those cases, you just have to be brave enough to speak up for your rights. That said, most of the players here are courteous. Just be aware that the courts have some cracks, and on weekdays after work, there tend to be a lot of kids playing nearby, which can be a bit distracting—so stay alert.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for active families with school-age kids and teens who want structured sports alongside open play. The handball courts are among Queens' best for competitive play. Families with toddlers can use the separate playground section, keeping younger children away from busy court areas.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →446 Google reviews
Carmen Chen
8 months ago
“There are some groups at the tennis courts who don’t follow the rules of courteous play, so be ready to stand up for yourself if needed. Generally, we follow the one-hour rule—each group plays for an hour, then gives the court to the next group. Some people say doubles (with four players) can stay for two hours, which seems to be accepted. But watch out—some people try to exploit the system like they’re finding a glitch in a video game. For example, two groups might be playing singles on two courts for over an hour, then halfway through, their friends show up and they suddenly claim it’s now doubles time and continue playing, skipping over people who’ve been waiting. There are always selfish people who act like the world revolves around them. In those cases, you just have to be brave enough to speak up for your rights. That said, most of the players here are courteous. Just be aware that the courts have some cracks, and on weekdays after work, there tend to be a lot of kids playing nearby, which can be a bit distracting—so stay alert.”
Thomas Overmiller
a year ago
“The handball courts 🤾♂️ here are terrific. 6 walls all together w/ some of the best competition in Queens.”
Zainab Alaaly
7 years ago
“A very nice place and big area for every ages and really good for playing different games and doing sport too.”
Pro Gamer OE
6 years ago
“Is very nice place is big enough playground, restroom field to run, play tennis...”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Astoria Heights Playground anchors a large Queens green space with six handball walls that attract serious players and a set of tennis courts operating on an informal one-hour rotation. Expansive open areas suit running games and varied sports. A separate playground section caters to younger children. Restrooms are on site.
