Play Soccer New York City 🍏‍

A Blog Series Highlighting the Best Field Spaces Across the Big Apple‍

⚽ Peter's Field ⚽

Historic Gramercy Park pitch with a newly added synthetic 7v7 field.

Address: 344 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10010
Website: Peter's Field Page

Hours Of Operation:
7 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week

Overview:‍

There’s nothing quite like soccer in the Big Apple. That’s why we’ve partnered with multiple pickup leagues across New York City to bring you all more field options! These leagues host their matches year-round on dozens of unique pitches across NYC, and as part of this partnership, we are bringing Plei App games to their spaces in order to fill in on days that the leagues aren’t running.

That being said, these blogs will answer all the questions that you usually ask before you head out to play some ball, like…

Is it a 6v6, 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9 field? Artificial grass or natural? What are the exact measurements? Where should I park? What subway train do I take and where do I get off? Are there good food/drink options nearby? Are there any other cool things to do or see in the surrounding area?

Fear not: all these questions and more will be answered within each blog, so you can confidently suit up, head out and have fun playing some pickup footy, New York style. 🗽😎

‍

‍

Come kick it at one of the city’s newest synthetic turf fields, named after two NYC legends.

Peter’s Field offers a multi-functional space for those who love being active in more ways than one!

Named after two of the city’s most prominent historical figures, Peter Stuyvesant and Peter Cooper, this sports oasis offers public basketball courts and a newly installed synthetic turf field for soccer, baseball, and any other outdoor activity you can think of!

Nestled in the quiet and homey neighborhood of Gramercy Park, Peter’s Field is the perfect place to enjoy being active, while also taking in a more tranquil side of the Big Apple. 🍎

Keep reading to learn more about this field space, and some important tips that you’ll want to keep in mind before you pull up. Click below to navigate to any particular section that you’re interested in! 👇

Field basics
‍Parking/bus/subway
‍How to access field
Cool things to do in the area
‍Food and drink
‍About the park

‍

What are the basics about this field?

There’s nothing like playing on a new pitch, am I right? At around 38,000 square feet, Peter’s Field boasts a recently installed synthetic turf field that’s perfect for 7v7 footy games. ⚽️

Taking up a majority of the park’s space, the field was designed to accommodate a number of different sports, including baseball, football, and the best of them all, soccer. 

The field is home to a number of local sports programs including Manhattan Football Club’s youth soccer initiative, as well as a baseball tournament named the Chelsea Wood Bat League. ⚾️

Surrounded by buildings on all sides, playing at Peter’s Field will make you feel like you found a slice of soccer heaven in the midst of the concrete jungle.

The Plei App first hosted a pickup game at Peter's Field on April 20, 2024, and we continue to play here today.

‍

Where do I park/what subway/bus stop do I get off at?

Parking is available around the entirety of Peter’s Field. You can find parallel spots on E20th St, E 21st St and 2nd Ave. 🚗

There is also a parking garage four blocks from Peter’s Field. 🅿️

Taking the train? Here’s a list of the closest stops to Peter’s Field and their corresponding lines:

3 Ave and 1 Ave on the L 🚃

23 St on the 4, (6) and <6> 🚃

14 St – Union Sq on the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W 🚃

If you’re taking the bus, here are the closest stops to Peter’s Field: 

2 Av & E 23 St on the M15 and M15-SBS lines 🚌

3 Av/E 21 St on the M101, M102 and M103 lines 🚌

There are also Citi Bikes available on the E 20th St side of the park and another on E 22 St & 2 Ave in case you want to cruise to and from Peter’s Field and feel the wind in your hair! 🚲 

‍

What’s the best/easiest way to access the field?

The entrance to Peter’s field can be found on the E 20th St side of the park. There is a large gate that opens right to the basketball courts–you can’t miss it!

‍

Any cool things to see or do near the field?

Flatiron Building

If you’re not a local, then chances are you may have only seen this iconic New York City building as the Daily Bugle in the first Spiderman trilogy. Though you won’t see Peter Parker on your trip to Peter’s Field, you will see an architectural wonder that has stood tall for over 120 years. 🏙️

This triangular building was designed by Daniel Burnham and Frederick P. Dinkleberg, and opened in 1902. Known for its unorthodox appearance, the name “Flatiron” comes from its triangular shape, which recalls that of a cast-iron clothing iron. 

Union Square Park

Pickup footy can be tiring after a while, so you’ll probably need a place to relax before you decide on what to do next. Luckily for you, Union Square Park is a short walk away from Peter’s Field. 🌳

While Union Square Park is a great place to relax, there is plenty to do there. The Union Square Greenmarket is one of the largest and most famous farmers markets in the world, open several days a week. The park also frequently hosts public art installations, performances, and community events, making it a dynamic cultural hub.

Also, Union Square Park is a major transportation hub, with many train lines and bus routes converging there. The 14 Street - Union Sq station is served by the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W trains.

Remember this location, as all of the eateries that we suggest in the next section can be found within a short walking distance to Union Square Park. You + food + iconic park = A scenic New York City meal to remember. 

The Strand Bookstore

Do you love books and graphic novels? If so, you have to visit the Strand Bookstore. It’s the most well-known bookstore in the city. And guess what? It’s only two blocks away from Union Square Park!

This historic bookstore boasts “18 Miles of Books,” offering 2.5 million new, used and rare books that fit between three and a half floors. You’re sure to find something you’ll like! 📚

Established in 1927, the Strand has a rich history and has been a fixture of the New York literary scene for nearly a century. 

‍

Where can I go to grab some food or drink around here?

Joe’s Pizza

There are few debates as hotly contested as the best pizza in New York City. That being said, we can’t give you a definitive answer on who has the greatest slice, but we can share a widely loved pizzeria close to Peter’s Field that will satisfy your post-footy food cravings. 😍

Joe’s Pizza, located next to the 3 Av station on E 14 St, is a beloved institution in the city. Established in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli, who is originally from Naples, Italy, this iconic pizzeria has offered the classic New York slice for over 47 years.

This tried-and-true option never fails. After all, who doesn’t love pizza? Just don’t forget to fold your slice like a real New Yorker when you’re eating it. You’ll thank us later! 🍕

Silky Kitchen

Looking for something with more of a kick? Silky Kitchen is a highly rated Chinese eatery serving authentic Hunan-style cuisine that will satisfy your love for flavorful rice and noodle dishes. 🍜

What sets Hunan-style cuisine apart from other regions in China? Hunan cuisine is well known for its hot and spicy flavors, fresh aromas and deep colors. This is thanks to their heavy use of fresh green chilies, dried red chilies, and shallots.

Some of the most popular dishes are Hunan style sauteed beef, their crispy pan-fried dumplings, and hot and sour fish noodle soup. 

Silky Kitchen knows more than anyone that their dishes can be a bit spicy, and that’s why they also sell smoothies! They offer flavors such as Bengo Mango, Berry Ba-Na-Na and Cado Avo, all of which will help tame the spiciness while also refreshing you in the process. 🥤

Caffè Panna

If you’re feeling dessert after pickup, you’re in for a real treat! Caffè Panna is a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth, featuring eccentric ice cream combinations that are even more reasons to come back to Gramercy Park (besides playing pickup, of course 😉).

Opened by Hallie Myer, the daughter of famed NY restaurateur Danny Myer (think Shake Shack and Gramercy Tavern), Caffè Panna offers consistent classics, daily rotational flavors, and affogato sundaes that will send your taste buds to paradise.

Fun fact: Hallie Myer spent time cooking in Rome at the Rome Sustainable Food Project, which included a stint at the beloved Roman gelateria, Otaleg. Her time in Rome played a major role in the creation of Caffè Panna, which explains the richness of every flavor they offer! 🍨

‍

About Peter’s Field

Prior to the 2021 renovations, Peter’s Field was mostly asphalt and concrete and consisted of basketball courts, tennis courts and a blacktop area for various recreation uses. 

Thanks to the $1.5 billion park improvement project by the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project, Peter’s Field was able to receive the upgrades necessary to deliver a much-needed green space in Gramercy Park. 🤝

As we mentioned before, the park is named after Peter Stuyvesant and Peter Cooper, however they aren’t the only Peter’s who are honored at this park. At Peter’s Field, there is a series of cast concrete plaques, placed in pairs along Second Avenue, depicting other famous Peters: Peter Pan; Peter Parker, Spider Man’s alter ego, shown as half-man, half-spider; Peter Piper, picking pickled peppers; Peter Pumpkin Eater; Peter Rabbit; and Peter of Peter and the Wolf.

Thanks for reading Pitchside by Plei, a blog series highlighting the best field spaces in your city! ⚽

If you want to get familiar with other unique soccer fields from the Lower East Side all the way up to Washington Heights and beyond, don’t hesitate to click the following links below! 👇