New Balance Track & Field Center
The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory stands as a brilliant jewel in the center of Washington Heights, an example of civic renewal at its best.
Built as a training center for the National Guard in 1909, it became a venue for many of the city's biggest events, including Track & Field meets by the 1920s. In the sixties, the Armory was the unrivaled center for Track & Field competitions in greater New York. With the economic crises of the seventies and the scourge of homelessness in the eighties, The Armory was converted to a homeless shelter, housing over 1,800 beds. By 1987, New York Track & Field was driven from its historic home.
Renovations for the current incarnation of the Armory track began in 1993, when a flat surface MONDO track was installed, under the guidance of Dr. Norbert Sander, President of The Armory Foundation and Michael Frankfurt, esq., Chairman of the Board. In 1997, the banked track was constructed on top of the original, and The Armory track became a world-class facility.
Map and Directions Directions By Subway
A or 1 trains to 168th Street, then walk one block west to Fort Washington Ave.993, when
Directions By Car
From Westchester County and Tappan Zee Bridge
Saw Mill Parkway South merges to Hudson River Parkway. After you go under the GW Bridge, take exit 14/15 to Riverside Drive south. Turn left at 165th Street. Go up hill and take first left on Fort Washington. Armory is on the right after the first traffic light.
From New England
I-95 south. As you approach the George Washington Bridge take the lower level lanes and get to the right. Take the 181 St. Street exit, the LAST exit before the bridge. Exit onto 181 St. Street and take a right at the light. Go up hill 3 blocks and take a right onto Fort Washington Avenue. Go 12 blocks. The Armory is on the left at 168th Street.
From New Jersey and Points South
Take the New Jersey Turnpike North, following signs to the George Washington Bridge. As you near the bridge follow yellow signs that say "LOCAL" to Bridge. Take the LOWER level of the Bridge. Once at the bridge and past the toll, get to the LEFT lane and exit at 178th Street. make a right at the next light onto Ft. Washington Ave. Go 10 blocks south to 168th Street. The Armory entrance is at 168th and Fort Washington.
From Brooklyn and West Side Manhattan
Take the West Side Highway (Henry Hudson Parkway) north. Take Exit 15 to Riverside Drive, going south. Go to the 2nd light on Riverside and take a left onto 165th Street. Go up hill and take first left on Fort Washington. Armory is on the right after the first traffic light.
Parking
Street parking adjacent to the Armory is seldom available and requires feeding a meter. A free option is Riverside Drive just south of 165th Street.
Parking Garages
Columbia Hospital Main Parking
165th St & Fort Washington Ave.
6:00AM. to 10:00PM
$26 for 8 hours - 7' 4" van height limit
Columbia Hospital Auxiliary Parking
165th St & St. Nicholas Ave.
6:00AM. to 10:00PM
$26 for 8 hours
Central PARK
172 St. & Broadway
24 hour parking Saturday/Sunday - $10 for 10 hours
J&B Parking
165 St. & Amsterdam Ave.
24 hour parking Saturday/Sunday - $12 for 24 hours / $8.50 for 12 hours.
