Address: 1st Avenue &, E 35th St, New York, NY 10016
Website: St. Vartan Park Page
Hours Of Operation:
6 am to 11 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. 🗽😎
A versatile open grass space, it can be used for anything from soccer, baseball, football and other recreational group activities. St. Vartan Park is Murray Hill’s biggest playground/park area, beloved for its spaciousness and variety of activities. Besides the caged turf area, you’ll also find basketball courts, playgrounds and handball courts.
Keep reading to learn more about this field as well as the surrounding area, 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! 👇
Versatility is not something you come across easily, especially when it comes to fields located within public parks.
The artificial turf soccer field at St. Vartan Park is an exception, though. Horizontally, it makes for a full-sized 11v11 game, but it can also be split in half to make two 8v8-sized fields.
You can catch pickup games via the Plei App at this turf field space within St. Vartan Park, Murray Hill’s largest public park area. Just open the app, sign up, and keep an eye out!
The Plei App first hosted a pickup game at St. Vartan Park on May 3, 2023, and we continue to play here today.
If you’re coming in a car, you’ll want to drive around the park until you get lucky with a parallel spot on the road, as there is no designated parking lot here. The park spans across 2.76 acres, so you’re bound to find at least one open spot.
If you get unlucky, though, you still have an option. Just a block south, there’s a city parking garage available on East 34th Street.
Subway goers should look to take services 4 or 6 to the 33 Street station, the closest one to St. Vartan Park. From here, it’s either a 10 minute, half mile walk or a 4 minute bike if you rent a Citi Bike from around the corner.
If you’d rather take the bus upon getting off the train, look to take M15 service to either the 2 Avenue & East 36 St station or the 1 Av & E 35 St station.
You’ll want to enter the field at St. Vartan Park via East 35th Street. You’ll see a gate opening where the two fences on each side curve inwards. Keep in mind that no pets are allowed onto the turf, but they can be elsewhere.
You bet! Just a five minute, quarter mile walk east and you’ll be able to take in breathtaking views of the East River as well as the Long Island City/Queens city skyline. Set your GPS to either the East River Esplanade, New Wave Pier or the East River Platform for the best viewing spots. If you’re a dog person, head to the New Wave Pier Dog Run instead, and you may or may not be greeted by a swarm of fluffy friends.
Back at the park, you can stop by the conservancy site, located on the far east end, bordering 1st Avenue. It was launched in spring of 2022 as a non-profit charity acting on behalf of the public to improve St. Vartan Park and its surrounding community.
Since the formation of the program, the number of wildlife species in the park has increased, so keep your eyes peeled for unique bird and insect sightings.
If you’re a flower person, you can check out the garden, open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm.
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 St. Vartan Park.
Marche Madison (Located just a 2-minute walk northeast from the park; on ground level of the Manhattan Place condo building) - This place is a deli, grocery store, juice bar, coffee shop and Korean eatery all at once. Look forward to gourmet options, acai bowls, freshly made sandwiches and gyros, all-day breakfast; whatever you need to re-energize following a tough pickup game.
Gemini (Just a quick stroll west from the park, on the corner of East 35th Street and 2nd Avenue) - Gemini is just your usual New York diner, with food options ranging from breakfast basics to dinner entrees. It’s right across from the park, making it ideal if you’re looking to keep it simple after playing. It’s also open 24/7.
Montagu’s Gusto (Across the street from Gemini, directly across from the handball courts in the park) - This spot is best known for their mouthwatering sandwich options, but they have more to offer than that. Montagu’s Gusto sells pastries, salads, breakfast platters, rice bowls and snacks. Grab a coffee, smoothie or bottled beverage while you’re at it.
Fresca Bowl & Poke Mahi (A few businesses down from Gemini, on the corner of East 34th Street and 2nd Avenue.) - If you’re exclusively into superfoods, then look no further. Here you’ll find power smoothies, salads, toasts and a wide selection of bowls (poke, acai, chia, pitaya, kale, oatmeal). If you choose to get a poke bowl, you have the option of picking a pre-built one or building your own.
Murray Hill’s largest playground, it also has plenty more to offer for the local community. The park, established in 1906, is best described as beautiful and serene, providing a green oasis for visitors that want to enjoy fresh air and a peaceful atmosphere alongside wildlife.
St. Vartan’s Park is known for its spaciousness and room to play under large trees that offer some shade, but it’s also the home of a large turf area for sports like soccer, football and lacrosse, a basketball court and a pair of handball courts.
A field house on the east end of the park acts as a comfort station for families looking for relief. This area also occasionally offers programming, provided by the St. Vartan Conservancy, a non-profit charity. Overall, the park is a nod to New York’s vast Armenian-American heritage, and the name actually comes from the St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, located nearby.
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! 👇
