Get active A great destination for athletes of all ages, Juniper Valley Park boasts baseball, football and soccer fields; basketball, handball and tennis courts; a running track and one of NYC's few roller hockey rinks. The bocce courts are currently being renovated but are tentatively scheduled to reopen this summer. While many of these attractions are first-come, first-served, with tennis you need to purchase a permit.

Learn some new tricks Because of all the athletic fields, Juniper Valley Park is a great place for sports lessons. In summer, the CityParks Foundation offers FREE tennis, and track & field programs in the park. New York Junior Tennis & Learning Community Tennis Program Community Tennis Program offers FREE lessons in spring, summer and fall. The Ridgewood-Glendale-Middle Village-Maspeth Little League uses the ball fields and the Modern School of Soccer holds classes here, too.

Cool off While Juniper Valley Park doesn't have a pool, it does have gentle water sprays that are perfect for tots. The Juniper South Playground sprinkler looks like a lily pad and has a frog that spouts water.

Enjoy a picnic... at tables Much as I love picnicking, I'm not a big fan of schlepping a huge blanket along with my food. That's why I love the picnic tables near the Juniper North Playground. There are black metal tables and benches for adults, and smaller blue and red tables and chairs for kids. Don't want to bring your own grub? A few blocks away you'll find Buon Gelato & Euro Bar, which sells salads and sandwiches.

Get playing There are two playgrounds in Juniper Valley Park featuring slides, swings, rock-climbing walls, spinning equipment, turtle-shaped hopscotch and monkey bars. Juniper South Playground was renovated in 2011 and has a wetland theme and is definitely the more popular of the two.

Go sledding One of our favorite sledding spots in all of NYC, Juniper Valley Park is where the Department of Parks hosts its official snow days at 78th Street and Juniper Boulevard North. On designated snow days, enjoy sledding, snowman building and snow angel contests, snowball fights, music and hot chocolate for FREE. Or just go on any snowy day for a good ride.

Go bird-watching Juniper is a hot spot for our fine feathered friends. Bring a pair of binoculars with you to see what kinds of birds you can spot. The Red-Tailed Hawk is often spied here.

Groove to the music Every July, the Parks Department and the Juniper Park Civic Association hosts a FREE outdoor concert series. While the 2014 schedule hasn't been finalized yet, you'll find it here by late June.

Juniper Valley Park is located from Juniper Boulevard North to Juniper Boulevard South between 71st Street and Dry Harbor Road.

Find out about other great NYC green spaces in our Parks & Playgrounds Guide.