If you’ve lived on Long Island for more than a week, you’ve probably seen the signs for Kennedy Memorial Park. It's sitting right there on Greenwich Street in the Village of Hempstead. But honestly? Most people just drive past it. They think it's just another municipal patch of grass with a couple of swing sets.
They’re wrong.
Kennedy Memorial Park is actually a massive 22.5-acre hub that basically serves as the heartbeat of the village. It isn't just a "park" in the sense of trees and benches. It’s a full-blown community complex. We’re talking about a place where you can learn to box, take a ceramics class, and then jump in a pool—all in the same afternoon.
The Sports Scene is Actually Huge
Most people think of local parks and imagine a single, lonely basketball hoop with a chain net. That is not the vibe here. Kennedy Memorial Park is kinda stacked when it comes to athletics.
You’ve got:
- Four lighted tennis courts (hard surface)
- Full-sized basketball courts
- Football and soccer fields
- A dedicated boxing room
- Handball and volleyball areas
The boxing program is actually one of the standouts. It isn’t just some "fitness boxing" class you’d find at a fancy gym in the city. Real coaches teach kids from age 10 and up the actual fundamentals. It's gritty, it’s real, and it’s been a staple of the Village of Hempstead’s youth programming for years.
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If you aren't into getting punched, there’s a weight room too. It’s affordable—like, $25 a year for residents affordable. Try finding that price anywhere else.
The Pool Situation (and What it Costs)
Let’s talk about the swimming pool because that’s the big draw in the summer. It usually opens late June. It’s not a free-for-all; there are specific resident and non-resident rates.
Usually, residents pay about $5 for adults and $3 for kids. If you’re coming from outside the village, expect to pay more, likely around $8 for an adult. They also do swim lessons in July, which is a lifesaver for parents who don’t want to shell out hundreds for private club memberships.
One thing to remember: you have to wear a proper bathing suit. No "street clothes" in the water. They are pretty strict about that.
It’s More Than Just Outdoors
Here is the thing that surprises people. The park has a massive indoor facility.
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Inside that building at 335 Greenwich Street, there’s an auditorium, a gym, and meeting rooms. This is where the local Parks and Recreation Commission actually meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. It’s open to the public, so if you have an opinion on how the park is run, that’s where you go to be heard.
There are also some random but cool programs. Table tennis on Sundays? Yeah, they have that. Yoga on Saturdays? Definitely. They even have youth cooking and ceramics classes that start up in the fall. It feels more like a community center that happened to be placed in the middle of a forest.
Why the JFK Connection Matters
The park is named after John F. Kennedy, obviously. It was part of that big wave of memorials that cropped up after 1963. While it doesn't have a giant marble statue like the one in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, it carries that same "New Frontier" spirit of public service and physical fitness.
Back in the day, the idea was that every community should have a space that promotes health and civic gathering. Hempstead took that seriously.
Is it Worth the Visit?
If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded hike where you won't see another soul, this probably isn't your spot. It’s a busy place. There’s a 0.6-mile walking trail that’s popular with locals, but you’ll likely be sharing it with joggers, strollers, and kids heading to the playground.
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The playground itself is solid. It has slides, swings, and all the standard stuff. It’s well-maintained, though like any urban-adjacent park, you might see some litter if you go right after a busy weekend. The village staff does a decent job keeping up with it, but 22 acres is a lot of ground to cover.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
- Parking: There are multiple lots, but they fill up fast during Friday night summer concerts.
- Hours: It generally opens at 9 a.m. and stays open until 9 p.m. on weekdays. Weekends usually close earlier, around 5 p.m.
- Safety: It’s a public park in a busy village. Use common sense. It’s generally safe during daylight hours when programs are running.
- Events: Keep an eye out for the Summer Concert Series. They usually happen every Friday in June, July, and August. It’s free and honestly a great way to see the actual community of Hempstead come together.
What to Do Next
If you want to use the pool or the weight room, your first move should be heading to the recreation office inside the park building. You’ll need to bring proof of residency if you want those lower rates. If you’re just there for a walk or to let the kids burn off energy on the slides, just show up.
Check the village's official "Notify Me" system on their website if you want alerts about when the pool opens or when registration for boxing and yoga starts. Those spots usually go fast, especially the youth programs.
Stop thinking of it as just a name on a map. Kennedy Memorial Park is a massive resource that most people are paying for with their taxes anyway—you might as well get some use out of the tennis courts.