Neighborhood Survey

2014 PAA neighborhood survey results
In the fall of 2014, PAA members shared their favorite family-oriented places, events, activities and experiences as well as education opportunities and health care professionals in our neighborhood.

Favorite playground

1. John Jay Park: FDR drive from East 76th-78th Streets
2. St. Catherine’s Park: 1st Ave between 67th/68th Streets
3. Any of the playgrounds in Central Park, including specific recommendations for:
   • Hecksher Playground, Central Park: Mid-Park from 61st to 63rd Streets
   • James Michael Levin Playground: East 76th Street (“best water feature”)
   • Billy Johnson Playground, Central Park: East 67th Street (“best slide)

Other recommended playgrounds in our neighborhood:

• Carl Schurz, especially the Catbird playground: East End Av To East River, E 84th St To E 90th St
• Twenty-Four Sycamores playground: 60th-61st and York
• 211 east 70th open play space – “best play space for babies”

Recommended playgrounds outside of our neighborhood:

• Arthur Ross Terrace at The American Museum of Natural History: (“Best-Kept Secret Playground”): near 81st Street and Columbus.
• Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park: head there for a “huge sports fields, playgrounds, bike paths and a picnic peninsula”
• Pier 6 playgrounds in Brooklyn Bridge Park: head there for “an awesome waterlab, swing valley, sandbox village, slide mountain and swings galore.”

Favorite park

1. Central Park (“best park in the world”): Central Park stretches from North 110th Street to Central Park South at 59th Street, and from Central Park West at 8th Ave to East at 5th Ave.

Other recommended parks in our neighborhood:

• Walking around the Rockefeller University campus: 1230 York Ave
• Small open play space/ park on 70th: 211 east 70th between 2/3 Aves
• Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island

Favorite neighborhood library and book reading

Several PAA members bemoaned the shabbiness of the NYC libraries overall but highlighted the ease of using the website to put a hold on books and movies and then pick them up at your neighborhood branch:

• 67 street library: 328 East 67th Street (near First Ave.)
• Webster library: 1465 York Avenue (near E. 78th St.)

Recommended children’s book readings in our neighborhood at Barnes and Nobles on Saturdays and Sundays (150 East 86th Street) and Pottery Barn Kids (1311 2nd Ave at 69th & 2nd Ave) and outside of our neighborhood at Scholastic Book Store: 557 Broadway in SoHo.

Favorite neighborhood art class and/or art experience

• Little Shop of Crafts: 711 Amsterdam Avenue at the corner of 94th Street (eastside location closed)
• Make Meaning: 1501 3rd Ave between 84 and 85 Streets
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, especially family programs: 1071 5th Avenue (at 89th Street)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), especially the rooftop sculpture garden: 1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street)
• Met family programs:1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street)
• MoMA, including MoMA Kids and families programs: 11 W 53rd St
• Children’s performances for children and families at New Victory Theater:209 W 42nd St

Other recommended neighborhood activities for families

• Riding the Roosevelt island tram – “great views of our city”!
• Victorian Gardens at Wollman Rink: “a toddler and pre-schooler friendly amusement park in Central Park”
• Central Park zoo, especially Tisch Children’s Zoo (“interactive and hands-on” for kids): 64th St and 5th Ave
• The American Museum of Natural History: Central Park W & 79th St

Favorite neighborhood sports classes and pools for kids

• PAA sports class offerings!
• Kids in Sports classes: 1420 Second Avenue
• Sokol New York gymnastic classes: 420 East 71st Street (Between First & York Avenue)
• Asphalt Green:555 East 90th Street, New York?
• East Side Tae Kwon Do: 301 E 57th Street, Fifth Floor
• Take Me to the Water Swim School: Various locations in NYC

Pools

• Outdoor: John Jay Park pool: East of York Avenue on 77th St.
• Indoor: Asphalt Green (best) and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House (most reasonable price)

Favorite Beach

• Jennings beach in Fairfield, CT
• Long Beach, Long Island, NY
• Jones Beach, Long Island, NY
• Lido, Long Island, NY
• Montauk, Long Island, NY
• Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Queens, NY

Recommended day getaways

• Stepping Stones Museum for Children: Norwalk, Ct
• Stamford Museum and Nature Center: 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns: 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY
• Sesame Place (family amusement park): 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA
• Hershey’s park (family theme park): 100 W Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA
• White Post Farm Animal Farm and Petting Zoo: 250 Old Country Rd, Melville, NY
• Governor’s Island: “Take the ferry to Govenor’s Island, a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan”
• Storm King Art Center: 1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY
• Millbrook Vineyards and Winery: 26 Wing Rd, Millbrook, NY
• Long Beach, Long Island, NY
• Bronx zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
• The New York Botanical Garden:2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
• Wave Hill (“great to see the fall and spring foliage”):  W 249th St, Bronx, NY

Recommended weekend getaways and vacation spots

• Beaches and farms in Long Island, NY
• Rocking Horse Ranch (All-Inclusive Family Resort with Indoor Water Park, Unlimited Horseback Riding and more):600 State Route 44, Highland, NY
• Montauk, NY
• Hamptons, NY
• Poconos, PA
• Cape Cod, MA
• Florida beaches and Disney World

Favorite neighborhood take-out restaurant

1. Matsu (Japanese, Sushi): 411 E 70th St between York and 1st
2. Up Thai (Thai): 1411 2nd Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St
3. Ko Sushi (Japanese, Sushi): 1329 2nd Ave

Other recommended restaurants:

• Ahana Asian Fusion (Japanese, Chinese, Thai) 1154 1st Ave between 63rd/64th St
• Baluchi’s (Indian): 1724 2nd Ave between 89th/90th St
• Fratelli Brick Oven Pizzeria (Italian, Pizza): 1317 1st Ave b/t 70th St & 71st St
• Golossi Pizza (Italian, Pizza): 1304 A 2nd Ave between 68/69th Streets
• Jackson Hole (American): 232 E 64th St between 2/3^rd Aves
• Lili & Loo (Chinese, Sushi Bars): 792 Lexington Ave between 61st/62nd St
• Lunetta pizza (Italian, Pizza): 1162 1st Ave between 63/64th St
• Palacio Azteca (Mexican): 1374 York Ave between 73/74^th Streets
• Patsys (Italian, Pizza): 1279 1st Ave between 68/69^th Streets
• Pio Pio (Latin American, Peruvian): 1746 1st Ave between 90/91 Streets
• The Ritz Diner (Diner food): 1133 1st Ave b/t 62nd St & 63rd St
• Szechuan Gourmet (Chinese): 1395 2nd Ave b/t 73rd St & 72nd St

Favorite neighborhood family-friendly restaurant

1. Bareburger (American, Burgers): 1370 1st Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St
2. Fratelli Brick Oven Pizzeria (Italian, Pizza): 1317 1st Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
3. Patsys (Italian, Pizza): 1279 1st Ave between 68/69^th Streets
4. Up Thai (Thai): 1411 2nd Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St

Recommended family-friendly diners:

• Barking Dog (Diner): 1453 York Ave between 77/78 Streets
• Cafe Luka (Diner): 1319 1st Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
• EJ’s Luncheonette (Diner): 1271 3rd Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St
• Gracie Mews Café (Diner): 1550 1st Ave b/t 80th St & 81st St
• The Ritz Diner (Diner): 1133 1st Ave b/t 62nd St & 63rd St

Recommended family-friendly pizza/ Italian:

• Al Forno (Italian, Pizza): 1484 2nd Ave between 77/78 Streets
• Fratelli Brick Oven Pizzeria (Italian, Pizza): 1317 1st Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
• John’s Pizzeria
• Patsys (Italian, Pizza): 1279 1st Ave between 68/69th Streets
• Pizzaria numero 28
• Tony de napoli’s (Italian): 1081 3rd Ave b/t 63rd St & 64th St

Recommended family-friendly breakfast/ coffee and tea:

• Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter II: 156 E 64th St
• Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter III: 220 E 81st St
• Le Pain Quotidien: 1270 1st Ave between 68/69

Other recommended family-friendly restaurants:

• Ahana Asian Fusion (Japanese, Chinese, Thai ) 1154 1st Ave between 63/64th Sts
• Brother Jimmys BBQ (Barbeque): 1485 2nd Ave b/t 77th St & 78th St [tips shared: “Kids eat free! Go early when there is no sports game on”]
• Cilantro (Mexican): 1321 1st Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
• Ko Sushi (Japanese, Sushi): 1329 2nd Ave
• Moti Mahal Delux (Indian): 1149 1st Ave at 63rd Street
• Totoya (Japanese, Sushi) : 1144 1st Ave b/t 62nd St & 63rd

Favorite neighborhood restaurants for brunch

• Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter II: 156 E 64th St
• Alice’s Tea Cup Chapter III: 220 E 81st St
• Barking Dog (Diner): 1453 York Ave between 77/78 Streets
• Bistro 61 (French): 1113 1st Ave between 61/62 Streets
• Cafe Luka (Diner): 1319 1st Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
• Corner Bakery (Bakery): 1645 3rd Ave b/t 93rd St & 92nd St
• Gracie Mews Café (Diner): 1550 1st Ave b/t 80th St & 81st St
• Hi Life (American): 1503 2nd Ave between 78/79th Streets
• Le Pain Quotidien (French): 1270 1st Ave between 68/69
• Maison Kaiyser (French Bakery): 1294 3rd Ave b/t 75th & 74th St
• Penrose (Gastropub): 1590 2nd Ave b/t 82nd St & 83rd St
• The Ritz Diner (Diner): 1133 1st Ave b/t 62nd St & 63rd St
• Sarabeth’s (American breakfast): 1295 Madison Ave b/t 92nd St & 93rd St
• Silver star (Diner): 1236 2nd Ave b/t 64th St & 65th St
• Sojourn (American, Tapas): 244 E 79th St

Favorite neighborhood date night restaurants

1. Maya (Mexican): 1191 1st Ave between 64th St & 65th St

Other recommended date night restaurants:

• Bottega (Italian): 1331 2nd Ave b/t 71st St & 70th St
• Felice (Italian, Wine Bar): 1166 1st Ave at 64th Street
• Jbird (New American): 339 E 75th St b/t 1st Ave & 2nd Ave
• Jean Claude II (French): 1343 2 Ave
• The Jeffrey Craft Beer & Bites (Bar/ Café): 311 East 60th St at 2nd Ave
• JoJo’s (French, New American): 160 E 64th St at 3rd Ave
• Jones Wood Foundry (British Gastropub): 401 E 76th St b/t York Ave & 1st Ave
• King’s Carriage House (New American): 251 E 82nd St b/t 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave
• Libertador (Argentine): 1725 2nd Ave b/t 89th St & 90th St
• Per Lei (Italian): 1347 2nd Ave b/t 71st St & 70th S
• Petaluma (Italian): 1356 1st Ave b/t 73rd St & 72nd St
• Tanoshi Sushi Sake Bar: 1372 York Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St
• Toalache (Mexican, New American): 166 E 82nd St b/t Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave
• Two Lizards (Mexican): 1365 1st Ave b/t 73rd St & 74th St
• Uva (Italian): 1486 2nd Ave between 77/78 Streets

Recommended date night experience: The Park Ave Armory (performance space): 643 Park Ave between 66/67 Streets

Favorite neighborhood coffee shop and/or café

• Gotham Café: 1298 2nd Ave b/t 68th St & 69th St
• Le Moulin a Café: 1439 York Ave b/t 76/77 Streets
• Marche de Sud (French): 1136 1st Ave btwn 62/63rd Streets
• Starbucks: 1281 1st Ave b/t 68th St & 69th St and 1445 1st Ave b/t 75th St & 76th St
• Le Pain Quotidien: 1270 1st Ave between 68/69 Streets and at 861 Lexington Ave at 65th Street
• Java Girl: 348 E 66th St b/t 1st Ave & 2nd Ave
• Corrado: 960 Lexington Ave b/t 69th St & 70th St
• Sicaffe: 964 Lexington Ave b/t 70th St & 71st St
• Joe 1045 Lexington Ave b/t 75th St & 74th St
• Oslo Coffee Roasters: 422 E 75th St b/t York Ave & 1st Ave

Favorite neighborhood ice cream and frozen yogurt

• Sedutto: 1498 1st Ave b/t 79th St & 78th St
• 16 handles: 1161 1st Ave between 63/64 Streets
• Yogurtland: 1275 1st Ave

Recommended restaurants outside of our neighborhood

• Date Night: Zerza Moroccan Restaurant (Moroccan, Mediterranean): 320 E 6th St b/t 1st Ave & 2nd Ave in East Village
• Kid friendly: Dim Sum Go Go: 5 E Broadway b/t St James Pl & Chatham Sq in Chinatown
• Kid friendly: Brooklyn Crab (seafood) in Red Hook: 24 Reed St, Red Hook, Brooklyn

Education classes and offerings in our neighborhood

Preschool and Daycare options[note: some of these recommendations are taken from the PAA survey responses on pre-K through elementary school options in our community, which was conducted in January – February 2014]

Bright Horizons in Payson and at Columbus Circle

Bright Horizons offers early childhood education and quality childcare for children ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years with full-time and part-time options in addition to Back-Up Care.  Bright Horizons at New York Presbyterian is designed to offer children an experience that will allow them to explore their World by using our curriculum, “The World at Their Fingertips”.

Christ Church Day School

Christ Church Day School, are a small school that serves approximately 95 children, is a non-sectarian early childhood program for children ages 2.3—5 years. Learning experiences are designed to nourish discovery, exploration and invention within a developmentally-based, supportive social and emotional context.

International Preschools of NYC

At the International Preschools, where English language learners are welcomed and supported, children and families from New York City and all over the world share their cultures and gain a sense of international awareness through mutual understanding and respect.

MAGIC

MAP, Mini MAP Classes, and MAGIC’s Alternative Preschool are open to children aged18 months – 5 years and offer early preschool enrichment classes designed to smoothly transition children to preschool as well as preschool alternative classes for children ages 2.3 – 3.5 years and 3.5 – 5 years.

Montessori School of NY International

The Montessori School of New York International offers challenging and rewarding academic programs for pre-school, kindergarten, elementary and junior high school students ages 2 – 14; it also has flexible before and after school extended hours available.

PAA-sponsored Play-and-Learn Cooperative (PAL)

Play-and-Learn (PAL) is a year-round pre-preschool co-op run by an instructor employed by the PAA who uses the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards when planning curriculum, overseen by the PAL committee of the PAA board and supported by parents and caregivers as rotating, daily class-helpers.

Resurrection Episcopal Day School

Resurrection Episcopal Day School (REDS) is an independent, non-profit Montessori early childhood development school for children 2 years 9 months through 6 years of age.

William Woodward Jr. Nursery School

The William Woodward Jr. Nursery School serves the children of families from New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Hospital for Special Surgery, Rockefeller University and the neighborhood community. Children need to be two by the end of April to enter the school and they attend two or three mornings a week; older children attend five mornings or afternoons a week.

Pre-K and Kindergarten options [note: some of these recommendations are taken from the PAA survey responses on pre-K through elementary school options in our community, which was conducted in January – February 2014]

Ella Baker

The Ella Baker School is a Pre-K to 8^th grade public school located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the Julia Richman Education Complex

The Anderson School

The Anderson School P. S. 334 is a K-8 public gifted & talented school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City.

PS 183 Robert L Stevenson School for Discovery

PS 183 is a public school service grades K-5 with arts-infused academics. One-third of the parents are medical professionals or research scientists affiliated with nearby New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and Rockefeller University.

Other recommended educational classes:

Many respondents cited the PAA’s own science and arts classes as well as:

• Moosikikids
• 74^th Street Magic: 510 East 74th St

Recommended Pediatric doctor

• Manhattan Pediatrics, with specific recommendations for Dr Sharon Ho and Dr. Caroline Long:125 East 72nd Street
• Park Avenue Pediatrics, with a specific recommendation for Dr. Julie Luttinger: 1111 Park Ave.
• Tribeca Pediatrics, with a specific recommendation for Dr. Laurie Belosa: 304 E 62nd St
• Weill Cornell Medical Associates- East Side, with specific recommendations for Dr. Eric Ogden-Wolgemuth, and Gargi Ghandi: 211 East 80th Street
• Weill Cornell Medical Associates- HT3, with specific recommendations for Cory B. Kercher, and Dr. Monica Pozzuoli: 505 East 70th Street
• Dr. Jen Kangas at Columbia Doctors Midtown: 51 West 51st Street
• Dr. Daniel Cammerman at Uptown Pediatrics: 1245 Park Avenue

Recommended Pediatric dentist

• Bright Healthy Smiles, with a specific recommendation for Dr. Liora Benichou: 1317 Third Ave
• Dr. Sean Adler at Manhattan Pediatric Dental Group: 192 E 75th St
• Dr. Jack L. Mitchell at Pediatric Dentistry: 305 E 55th St
• Dr. Kristin Miles at Majestic Smiles Pediatric Dentistry:101 Central Park at corner of W 71^st Street
• Dr. Alvina Lim at Urban Petiatric Dental: 128 Mott Street

Random (but useful) recommendations

• The Nail Place (Nail Salon): 791 Lexington Ave at E 61st, 2nd Fl
• Sunny Wellness (No frills but great reflexology massage): 338 E 65th St
• Copy center on east 65th is for copies and printing