Low-Key Spots To Spend Time Outside On The UWS This Memorial Day

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — This Memorial Day in New York City will look a lot different from years past due to social distancing measures in place to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. City beaches are closed, NYPD officers are being deployed to crack down on large gatherings and everyone outside should be wearing a mask.

With warm weather and partly cloudy skies in the forecast for Memorial Day, many New Yorkers will likely want to spend the holiday outside.

Hotspots such as Central Park and the Brooklyn Promenade are mobbed with New Yorkers trying to escape the confines of their apartments, making it difficult to maintain a safe social distance. Patch — and some readers — compiled a list of low-key places on the Upper West Side where it may be easier to enjoy the outdoors this Memorial Day without running into large crowds.

Check some of Patch's and your suggestions out below:

West End Avenue Open Street

New York City is working to pedestrianize 100 miles of city streets across the five boroughs to help residents spend time outside while safely social distancing. A stretch of West End Avenue from West 87th to West 96t Street, about .44 miles, was one of the first streets to open this month.

Like all Open Streets in the program, the stretch of roadway is open to pedestrians, cyclists and is blocked off to vehicles except for deliveries and emergency vehicles. It could be a nice place to go for a walk or bike ride if you're looking for more space than a narrow sidewalk.

West 75th Street Open Street

Another Open Street, this time on West 75th Street from Broadway to Riverside Drive. This stretch is smaller than the West End Avenue portion — it's only about .2 miles — but could still be a nice place for a walk or bike ride if you live further downtown.

Like all Open Streets in the program, the stretch of roadway is open to pedestrians, cyclists and is blocked off to vehicles except for deliveries and emergency vehicles.

Columbia University Campus

Suggested by a reader, Columbia University's campus is an option New Yorkers might not typically think of during the school year, but with the campus shut down since March, it could be a peaceful and picturesque spot to find some fresh air.

It also sits between Morningside Park and Riverside Park if you're looking for somewhere that's a short walk to other, though possibly more crowded, green spaces. Nearby Sakura Park could also be a good spot to try.

Richard Tucker Park

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts might be closed because of the coronavirus, but spaces around Lincoln Center are still open to the public. This park between Columbus Avenue and West 66th Street is usually filled with events or concerts during summer days, but with everything shutdown, it could be a nice empty space to read a book or eat some lunch.

A similar option is Damrosch Park just a few blocks away at Amsterdam Avenue and West 62nd Street.

Straus Park

A lesser-known park further uptown is Straus Park, found by Broadway and West 106th Street.

The landscaped green space stretches a full block up to West 107th Street and is lined with benches perfect for a moment of relaxation on a walk or to hang out for an afternoon. It is also just a block away from Riverside Park.

Septuagesimo UNO

This one might be tricky for social distancing if other people are there, but if you can catch it at a quiet time it could make for a cozy get-away.

Often called "New York City's smallest park" — even though there are smaller parks in the city — this 1960s spot was built as part of a "Pocket Park" campaign to bring green spaces to small lots between buildings. Situated between two buildings on West 71st Street across from West End Day School, the tiny park includes seating, shade and some planting beds.

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