Go Camping in the City's Parks For Free This Summer

NYC Parks holds camping lotteries for New Yorkers The Urban Park Rangers is back this year, giving New York urbanites the opportunity to take a "trip" the wild. New York City Parks is holding lotteries to determine which city residents will be allowed to go overnight camping in some of the city parks this summer, and lotteries have begun. If you're interested in spending a night on the wild side and outdoors (NY Press would probably recommend a mosquito net), NYC Parks & Rec is holding drawings online on their [site](http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/rangers/registration). And don't worry, according to Newyorkology, the association provides camping tents and food. Most of the parks up for camping have a 24-hour window, from midnight to midnight on a designated date, for people to register. According to their site, the NYC Parks selects winners randomly via computer. Among the parks are Fort Greene, Prospect, Marine, Central, Inwood Hill, Wolfe's Pond, Blue Heron, Pelham Bay, and Van Cortlandt Park, as well as the Alley Pond Adventure Center in Queens. The times to register for the drawings are posted on the site, and if you or anyone in your family enjoys the outdoors, this is the perfect family (the park calls it a family occasion but kids aren't required) summer getaway. Make sure you only submit once per park, though. NYC Parks says you're automatically disqualified from contention if you submit more than once per household. --Nick Gallinelli