Baker Athletics Complex

Baker Athletics Complex

The Baker Athletics Complex, located in the northernmost part of Manhattan in New York City, is a 21-acre athletic complex owned by Columbia University that has served as the university's primary outdoor athletic facility since 1923. It hosts more than 14 intercollegiate teams (seven men's and seven women's) and supports university competitions and practices in several sports. The complex features a football and lacrosse stadium (Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium), a university football stadium, baseball fields, softball fields, track and field, tennis, and rowing.

Key Features & Amenities

• Locker rooms for football, basketball, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and other teams in the Chrystie Field House.
• Indoor winter practice facility called Bubble at Baker with approximately 92,000 square feet of turf.
• Site states that it accepts "facility rental requests" for use outside of campus activities.
• Parking Details: Site lists locations and routes where parking is available (although it does not provide exact capacity details); e.g., "Parking Information" for visitors.

Programs & Activities

1. Official University Programs

• The complex is home to 14 intercollegiate teams (7 women's and 7 men's).
• These teams practice and compete in American football, men's and women's soccer, baseball, softball, field hockey, lacrosse, track and field, and more.
• During the winter, the "Bubble at Baker" complex serves as an indoor practice space for the university's field teams.

2. Public Programs or Open Leagues

• The "Community Information" section of the site states that residents of Northern Manhattan can use the complex's indoor track during certain hours.
• However, there are not enough details on the site about "open leagues" (such as local soccer leagues, public tennis leagues, or registrable classes).
• If you want, I can try to find a more detailed list of leagues or general classes in this set by searching deeper (internal data, university PDF pages, or contacting the university community department).

How to book

1. Visit the “Community Information / Facilities Rental” section of the complex’s website.
2. On that page, there will be a “Facility Rental Requests” link or form.
3. Fill out the form, including your organization or group’s details, type of use, desired date and time, number of participants, type of sport or space needed.
4. Once your request is submitted, the complex’s team will review it and contact you to determine the terms, fee (“Columbia Rate”), and contract details.
5. Once your contract is approved, paid, and signed, your reservation will be finalized and you will receive confirmation that you will be able to use the complex’s space at the specified time.

Location & Accessibility & Contact 

• Address: 505 West 218th Street, New York, NY 10034, USA
• Subway Line 1 (IRT) station at 215th Street; about 6 minutes walk to the complex.
• Subway Line A (8th Avenue) station at Inwood-207 St; about 10 minutes walk to the complex.
• Bus lines such as BX7, BX20, M100 stop near the complex.
• Contact number for some events: (212) 305-6359

FAQs

Is the complex open to the public?

Yes, residents of Upper Manhattan can use the track during certain hours; reservations for organizations and groups are also available.

Does the complex have parking?

Yes, there is parking nearby; directions and parking locations are listed on the website.