An annual favorite post…remember, the Mets Police encourage you to re-invest your savings in the Metsconomy.
I’m cheap. I park in Corona. It’s not scary and it’s not far.
Park somewhere in the one-teens as close to 34th avenue as you can.
This shot is from 114th street between 34th and Northern. Remember, the far side of Citi Field is 126th, so at the worst you’re walking 12 blocks and it’s more like nine.
At the end of 34th avenue look for this walkway. The people on the opposite side are waiting for highway-speed traffic to clear. You do have to hustle across an entrance ramp to the Grand Central but it’s not that scary. Please be extra vigilant as cars are at highway speeds.
Now that you’ve dashed across, you will find yourself on this walkway along the Whitestone Expressway. It’s loud, but that’s a nice high barrier so you are in no likely danger of being hit by a car.
To your right you can enjoy the beautiful wildflowers of Queens, or more likely you will see discarded electronic remnants and broken shopping carts.
Keep walking, keep walking.
Keep walking, keep walking.
You can look down at the Grand Central Parkway.
From here you can follow your eyes.
The walkway ends and you will have to cross across an exit ramp (from the GCP to the Whitestone). On the other side is the Citi Field parking lot.
The NYPD is often stationed at this point and will hold up traffic for you, otherwise you’ll have to play Freeway against highway speed traffic. Not so bad.
Now that you’ve made it safely walk down this sidewalk. Again, you can see Citi Field so it’s not like you’ll get lost.
Parking has gone up since I took this photo, but take a minute to laugh about the people who paid $20 while you got 7 blocks worth of exercise.
This is what their $18 got them in 2009. After the game you’ll be over by the highway entrances and they’ll be fighting 20,000 other people to get out of the lot.
And you’ve made it!
If you can’t make it from here you need greater help than I can provide.
That is all well and good (and thanks for the tip, if I ever decide to go that route), but it seems like you have to become a frog and play the game of frogger to get to a game, and if I have my wife & daughter, I would just feel a lot better parking closer! Sure if I went with my friends, this may be a good idea!
There definitely is two spots where you have to play Frogger. I hear ya.
Or simply take LIRR into Manhattan; the Green line down to South Street Seaport, then the free water taxi up the East River. No better way to arrive at the park!
Why wouldn’t you just take the LIRR to Citi Field? Seems like a lot of extra travel for no reason.
I take the subway to Citi, but if I ever decide to drive with friends I’ll take this into account. Good tip.
To avoid playing Frogger, couldn’t you walk down 114th Street to Roosevelt Avenue and head east toward Citi? I believe Roosevelt Avenue has sidewalks.
sure- if you park closer to Roosevelt, where it can harder to find spots.
Why oh why must you insist on promoting what we used to (circa ’99) call “Playoff Parking”?! A best kept secret is not a secret if everyone knows about it!
Ha – I figure the people who read my site deserve to know. The millions who don’t won’t.
Another option, although not free, if you’re willing to walk: the Sky View Center parking garage, on the other side of the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge near College Point Boulevard. Unless you plan to stay more than 7 hours, it’ll cost less than the $20 to park at the Citi Field lot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary_dunaier/8574104090/in/set-72157633042187796
Corona ave near the LIE. No busy roads to cross. A nice walk through the park.
metspolice TezzaNYM jimbojoker38 much appreciated thx