Address: 167-191 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002
Website: Sara D. Roosevelt Park Website
Hours Of Operation:
8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week
There’s nothing quite like soccer in the Big Apple. That’s why we’ve partnered with multiple pickup leagues across New York City to bring you all more field options! These leagues host their matches year-round on dozens of unique pitches across NYC, and as part of this partnership, we are bringing Plei App games to their spaces in order to fill in on days that the leagues aren’t running.
That being said, these blogs will answer all the questions that you usually ask before you head out to play some ball, like…
Is it a 6v6, 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9 field? Artificial grass or natural? What are the exact measurements? Where should I park? What subway train do I take and where do I get off? Are there good food/drink options nearby? Are there any other cool things to do or see in the surrounding area?
Fear not: all these questions and more will be answered within each blog, so you can confidently suit up, head out and have fun playing some pickup footy, New York style. 🗽😎
Welcome to the Nike Field of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, a 7v7 artificial grass turf that is one of the many homes of year-round pickup soccer and league play. Fun fact: the refurbishment of the field was made possible thanks to a generous gift from Nike, hence the name.
Keep reading to learn more about this field, and some important tips that you’ll want to keep in mind before you pull up. Click below to navigate to any particular section that you’re interested in! 👇
This is a 7v7 field featuring synthetic turf, brought to Sara. D. Roosevelt Park by Nike themselves as a special gift to the growing footy community in the Lower East Side.
The field is open 7 days a week for reservations that run from 8 am to 8 pm, so if there’s anything you need to know about this pitch more than anything else, it’s that it sees plenty of action.
Speaking of seeing the action, there’s plenty of benches on either side of the field, so if you’re just arriving to spectate and watch a friend or family member ball out, feel free to take a seat outside the fences.
The Plei App first hosted a pickup game at the Nike Field on April 28, 2023, and we continue to play here weekly.
Plenty of street parking is available on both sides of the park, on either Chrystie Street or Forsyth Street. If you can’t find an open spot, you can always check on connecting avenues.
If you happen to be arriving on a Citi Bike, there are designated stations available near the field. You can find them on Rivington Street facing the south end playground and on Stanton Street behind the basketball courts.
Bus goers should look to take either bus M15 or M21. You’ll get off right at the north end of the park, at the E Houston St/Forsyth St station.
And finally, if you’re arriving via subway, you’ll want to get off at the 2nd Avenue station via the F train. Once you head up, the park will be diagonal to you across East Houston Street.
Gates are available on both sides, but you’ll probably want to head to the west side (Chrystie Street) and enter from the gate closest to the Stanton Street Courts. The gate on the east side may be locked.
For starters, you can take a walk through the M’Finda Kalunga Garden if you’re a nature person. You’ll find plenty of green scenery, as well as flowers, wildlife and aesthetically pleasing relaxation areas. The garden is open to the public from April 1 to October 31 on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.
You’re bound to get hungry after an hour or so of footy, we understand. Here are a few recommendations if you’re looking to grab something before or after you play at the Nike Field.
Pinks Cantina (Located across from the Stanton Street Courts; just cross Chrystie Street.) - A neon-accented Mexican joint that sells everything from mouth watering tacos, quesadillas and burrito bowls to sandwiches, burgers, seafood and wings. it’s a real tiny spot, so order what you want and head on out.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters (Located on East Houston Street. Just take a left from the north end of the park, crossing Chrystie Street, it’s on your first left.) - A trendy cafe that serves house-brand artisanal coffee, pastries and snacks. Grab & go, or connect to their wifi and stay a while. Either way you do it, it’ll be a satisfying experience after a tough pickup game.
Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken (Just a block away from the north end of the park. Just cross East Houston Street before crossing 2nd Avenue followed by East 1st Street.) - It’s a 5 minute walk from the field, but we promise it’s worth it. Look forward to fried chicken by the piece, sandwiches, bowls, tender hot dogs (yes, you read that correctly), mac & cheese, and milkshakes at this spot, which opened on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 1st Street in 2013.
It was built way back in 1934 and was named after philanthropist and Presidential mother Sara Delano Roosevelt. To this day, the park remains a vibrant hotspot for senior citizens, children, and more recently, artists and young professionals.
Besides the soccer field, you’ll find a total of four (4) basketball courts, two of which are artistically-designed from floor to the backboards. These are located immediately north of the turf field on Stanton Street. The other two courts are all the way on the north end of the park.
You’ll also come across two different playgrounds, one on the north end and behind the south end of the soccer field. Keep in mind that the playground area on the south is a lot more spacious, but has less equipment. You’ll find a swing set exclusively in this playground, though.
Thanks for reading Pitchside by Plei, a blog series highlighting the best field spaces in your city! ⚽
If you want to get familiar with other unique soccer fields from the Lower East Side all the way up to Washington Heights and beyond, don’t hesitate to click the following links below! 👇
