Tracking the Brooklyn Tracks
The closure of the Red Hook Recreational Area (including its beloved track) through spring of 2023 has created a gaping logistical hole for many runners facing imminent 400m repeats or who simply yearn for the rote certainty that 4 laps = 1600m and not whatever distance the finicky GPS decides to spite you with at 6am on a 100% humidity Tuesday.
Luckily, your faithful PPTC blog correspondents have wandered Brooklyn in search of viable Tuesday morning interval destination alternatives. And even though nothing tops the way the fenced in jungle that is the Red Hook track infield makes you feel like you’re running in a post-apocalyptic industrial wasteland, there are a few that come close.
Wingate Park Track
0.2 miles around / 2 miles from GAP / Surface: Rubber / Lanes: 6
The closest public track to Prospect Park, Wingate’s main caveat is that it is only 320 meters around. However, the park complex surrounding the track is quite robust, featuring bathrooms, water fountains, and sprinklers.
JV - I am simply not equipped to do the kind of math necessary to convert 1200m repeats into laps around a 320m track.
RD - I honestly don’t mind the 320m length, I used to workout on a 160m track so my brain’s accustomed to that kind of gymnastics. With Wingate, I found it easier once I broke it down to 80m= 1 straightaway. Plus, doing mental math during workouts has always helped me get through them- even if my math’s wrong lol. A 1200m should be 3.75 laps…I think.
JV - The straightaways are also a bit shorter, which is cool because it makes the workout seem shorter...but the workout is probably actually shorter because I’ve totally miscalculated the laps I need to do.
RD - I think I actually did the math on that workout so blame me.
JV - I love the dip. It’s like the track equivalent of a dimple.
RD - I’m a fan too. You hardly notice it when running and if you do, it gives you a boost if anything. The dip breaks up the monotony of a track workout.
JV - The fact that you can literally see Kings County Hospital right there as you hit the straightaway, especially during this particular NYC summer, is incredibly comforting.
RD - I personally love the personality and community of the track. So many people flock to the track for their morning walks and jogs...and the occasional kid riding a bike. That being said, if you choose to do a workout in the morning, it’s best to go around people instead of trying to run solely in lane 1.
Betsy Head Park Track
0.25 miles around / 3.2 miles from GAP / Surface: Rubber / Lanes: 4
Freshly renovated in 2020, Betsy Head Park features all the best amenities a NYC park can offer, including a skate park, parkour fitness area, turf field, climbing wall, and expansive pool facilities. However, despite being 400m around, the 4-lane track itself is square-shaped instead of oval.
JV - This whole complex is glorious. The way the trees canopy running lanes backdropped by the tracks of the 2,3,4 line make this a track I’d rather slowly savor than actually run around.
RD- This track really is a wonderland. Not only does it have countless amenities, the rebound of the track is unmatched in comparison to the other NYC tracks I’ve frequented. Each step is rewarded with a delicious bounce- giving my legs the energy they are sorely lacking after a long run.
JV - There are so many of those spray stations. I think there needs to be an official NYC Spray Station map that they stick on all the telephone poles with a big circle around Betsy Head Track.
RD- The square shape does throw me off, the whole track seemed smaller than 0.25 which is nice because laps seem to go by faster, but it is a 400m track.
McCarren Park Track
0.25 miles around / 3.7 miles from GAP / Surface: Rubber / Lanes: 8
Arguably the heart and soul of the Williamsburg/Greenpoint neighborhoods, McCarren Park (and its copious bocce courts) is a Brooklyn can’t-miss destination.
JV - It’s possible that Domino Park has lured some people off the track and towards the water but, wow, the congestion here during peak hours is unbelievable.
RD- The water fountain by the tennis courts was more of a bird bath than a water source while I was there. Fortunately, there is another fountain on the opposite side of the track, but I’m skeptical of all water fountains right now. Lately, it seems most are inoperable.
JV - And all those errant frisbees…#1 risk to runners for sure.
RD- On a Saturday morning the track is home to an array of runners, those casually jogging to those banging out speedy workouts. Everyone appeared respectful of one another and able to complete their morning’s training without a hitch.
JV - Although there is this really something inspiring about how enthusiastic the bocce leagues are here. If only we could regard fartleks with such gusto.
RD- This track and it’s surrounding area is alive. There are kickboxers to the south of the track, tennis players to the east, clusters of people working out and doing drills in the infield and people lounging on benches along the periphery. It exudes the classic atmosphere of a track meet- many things occurring at once in a peaceful coexistence.
Linden Park Track
0.25 miles around / 4.8 miles from GAP / Surface: Mondo / Lanes: 6
Out in East New York, Linden Park offers a recently renovated track complex, synthetic turf field, and copious spray misters.
JV - Very practical. Not many frills–just six, well-maintained running lanes and a large bathroom that reassuringly comes into view just as you’re rounding the 300m curve.
RD- This track gave me a “high school track state meet” vibe. It boasts the grandeur of a “serious” track and the park’s frequenters respond by occasionally ripping around the oval in spikes.
JV - The track sits right against Linden Blvd, which means there’s much less shade than Betsy Head and gives it this sort of frenetic, urban quality I don’t usually associate with track complexes.
RD- I will say, there is a nice stretch of shade along the back curve, providing a nice reprieve between the 200m & 300m marks.
JV - It’s probably worth noting that just a block away sit a McDonald’s, Denny’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Checkers, Papa John’s, and Popeyes. If you ever needed a reason to power through that last interval, well, I just gave you seven.
RD- So much for unbiased journalism: this is my favorite track of them all. There you go.
East River Park Track
0.25 miles around / 5.1 miles from GAP / Surface: Rubber Coated All Weather / Lanes: 8
Technically not in Brooklyn, but still close enough to be a viable option depending on how close you live to the bridges. East River Park is a magical waterfront experience spanning some of the best parts of Manhattan.
JV - I know it was just resurfaced, but weirdly I prefer doing laps of the East River Park waterfront than of the actual track.
JV - There’s also something about having to go through a turnstile to get in that makes it seem somehow not worth it.
RD- On the flip, that turnstile makes me feel like I’ve just entered some prestigious track, which affords an air of luxury. That alone hypes me up to run.
JV - The all-weather fountain at the track had somehow gotten knocked out of whack and had yellow caution tape wrapped around it…a non-functioning water fountain on a super humid long run day has to be akin to realizing that the pool party you see as you’re crawling through a desert is really just a mirage.
RD- In terms of views, this track’s got it. It’s right along the East River, adjacent to the East River waterfront pathway, and that proximity to water washes a calmness over me- definitely a plus when beginning a tough workout.
JV - For the record, I love everything about this park. But I think this is a case where the park surrounding the track is possibly more runnable (even for intervals) than the track itself.
Kaiser Park Track
0.25 miles around / 7.6 miles from GAP / Surface: Mondo / Lanes: 8
Situated in Coney Island, Kaiser Park offers a host of facilities including tennis courts, football, soccer, and baseball fields, barbecuing areas, and proximity to the tranquility of Coney Island Creek or the bustle of Coney Island proper.
JV - For most of us, this is probably too inconvenient to get to for a workout unless, you know, you need to rationalize the 35 hot dogs you’re about to eat on the boardwalk.
RD- This would be more feasible if you ride a bike out to the track or take a subway.
RD- There are working water fountains which is a plus following the trek out there.
JV - Definitely check the hours for Totonno’s before you make the trek down. Don’t make the mistake of planning your long run around snagging some famous Coney Island pizza only to get there and find that it doesn’t open for another hour. If that does happen, though, the nearby Parkview Diner is 24 hours.
RD- The track isn’t too busy, which is huge bonus. One could easily complete a workout unencumbered by runner traffic.
* Post Publication Note: We somehow missed out on the track around the Fort Hamilton HS Athletic Field, but we don’t want you all to miss out on it too!
The track is located in Bay Ridge at 85th Street between Colonial Road and Narrows Avenue and is 5.7 miles from Grand Army Plaza. It is a 400m (0.25 mile), rubber track. There are bathrooms available as well as spray pads and fitness equipment. The NYC Parks website has the breakdown if you would like more information. Happy running to you all and a big thank you to members who brought this oversight to our attention.
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Intro Texts by: John Vaghi (he/him)
Comment Text by: John Vaghi and Rachael DePalma (she/her)
Photos by: John Vaghi and Rachael DePalma
Produced by: John Vaghi