WelcomE To the

Red clay courts.

welcome to The 96th St RED Clay Courts

PLEASE Call 212-978-0277 for up to date court conditions

OPen 8 am to 6 pm (last hour 3 PM to 4 pm)

Watch the video

THEY ARE NYC PARKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC COURTS maintained and operated by the Riverside CLAY Tennis Association,
a non-profit volunteer organization, Affiliated with the Riverside Park Conservancy.

2023 news


RULES FOR 2023
- Permits or single play passes are required for play.
- There will be no free, advance online booking.
Two courts are available for advanced reservations up to a week in advance for $15.
- Remaining courts available for in-person sign up on a first come/first served basis.

SEE THE USTA STATEMENT ON CORONA

HOW TO PLAY -

NOTE: Permits or Single Play required for 2023

The 96th Street Red Clay Tennis Courts (also known as the "Oscar Hijuelos Clay Courts) are public courts within the NYC Parks & Recreation system. Anyone can play. The courts are distributed on a first-come/first-serve basis.

Each player needs one of three things: REQUIRED IN 2023
 - a NYC Parks season tennis permit, or
- pay $15 in cash at the 96th St courts for a day pass
- a pre-printed "single play" ticket from NYC Parks

Check here for more complete details and sign-up rules.

2023 Registration for Private Lessons  Register here.

2023 GROUP LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SIGN-UP STARTING ON NOVEMBER 29TH

First Serve - Ages 3-4 beginner & intermediate
Junior Aces - Ages 9 -18 intermediate & advance
Adult Clinics - Beginner, low & high intermediate

2023 cardio and private lessons are available for sign up.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Browse the RCTA Photo and Video Galleries

RCTA photos by Joe Josephs; videos by Eser Atilla.

GET THE RCTA APP!

Download the new RCTA app (served by TennisGroups). Search for TennisGroups on Apple or Google. Then select the RCTA community. Use the app to meet other players, Book lessons, and much, much more.

About Us

The Riverside Clay Tennis Association is a not-for-profit organization charged with the maintenance and operation of the public red clay tennis courts (Oscar Hijuelos Clay Courts) in Riverside Park along the Hudson River near 96th Street.

In addition to maintaining the courts and the surrounding park land, the RCTA is responsible for operating the courts and all tennis programs at the courts.

The RCTA has over 900 members and raises over $650,000 each year to fulfill its mission. Members do not have playing privileges over non-members.

RCTA raises money through membership dues, donations, sponsorships, court fees and program fees.

The RCTA manages the courts on behalf of the Riverside Tennis Association, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Riverside Park Conservancy, a 501(c)3 organization, through the Conservancy’s licensing agreement with NYC Parks & Recreation.