Stuyvesant Oval

Amazing basketball courts on the west and east side of thr ovals! 2 full courts. Always someone there to play a pick up game.

The Stuy Town Oval concert series is something of a newcomer to the free show cavalcade. With about five or six a summer (on Wednesday evenings) it’s a short program but one that is really worth checking out if FREE music is your thing.
What makes it worth the time? First and foremost is the talent. Saw Delorean (killer Spanish indie band) a few weeks ago and will be seeing Easy Star All-​Stars soon (google Radiodread to get an idea). Second, it’s a little off the beaten path so it’s as relaxed as you want it to be. The grassy area is large and a blanket can easily be put down for a picnic. There are a lot of kids running around and there is a family atmosphere. Yet when the music starts the fans move to the stage and in feels like a concert.
The PA is plenty plenty loud and everything sounds good. Only downside is that if it rains within 24 hours of the show the oval can be anywhere between damp and muddy. Music usually starts around 7pm with a DJ spinning for the hour before.

The Oval is accessible to all residents or Oval Essential members depending on the event. For just $ 20 a month, you have access to Oval Study, Oval Film and Oval Lounge events.
There are different events each month. For February 2010, there was the Super Bowl party last night which had food (see photo), drinks and $ 350 gift card prizes. The next few events are Mardi Gras (free food), Burgers Beer & Bingo night with $ 350 gift card prizes (see photo), Homemade Pastry tasting and Wine-​Tasting to name a few with many, many more events. At the Super Bowl Party, my buddy and I won $ 250 worth in gift cards just by participating in Football Trivia.
Every Saturday there is free bagel and coffee at Oval Study. Every Sunday there is free brunch at 11 (see photo) and free lunch at 12 from Lenz (see photo). This already is well worth the $ 20 per month.
If you are a resident of PCV or Stuytown, definitely take advantage of this membership, you won’t regret it. I promise!

A nice open park in the center of Stuy Town.
There’s a large fountain, grounds enough for people to play and relax, benches and music performances in the summer now and then around the oval.
Plenty of space to throw frisbees or footballs, lots of kids running around, and encircled with nice little lounges.

I really love the Stuyvesant Oval, especially during the summer. New York in the summer feels like a musical. Everyone has a smile on their face, and everyone is playing outside. I never experienced such joy towards warmer months as back home it is warm for the most part of the year.
During the summer at the Oval you see all sorts of residents lying on the grass in multi colored towels, some with picnics, some with reading materials, ipods, you name it. Boys throwing around their footballs or frisbees. Kids playing games. Security guards telling them to stop– in Stuy Town you are only allowed to play ball/​frisbees, etc inside designated areas. You are also not allowed to set up tables in the grass and you are most certainly not allowed to go in the fountain (so if you are going to do so to cool off, make sure the guards aren’t looking!)
There are also various different courts– basketball, hockey, etc. And there is a basketball court with a sort of shower.
The oval also hosts afternoon concerts, and a wonderful market during weekends.
So if you’re around during weekends with nothing to do, head on over to the Oval and you’ll find us.