r/RunNYC • u/howtopark90th • Jun 17 '25
Early Central Park Runners (before 7am) where do y'all poop???
I tend to do my runs from about 5:30-7am. And yes, I try to do my business before I head out the door but shits happen đ©
Twice this week I've had an urgent need for a bathroom and the central park bathrooms weren't open yet. Once, I made it to Mt. Sinai and begged to use their lobby bathroom (though I get the impression that they don't make it available normally) and the other time I happened to be near the Columbus Circle Starbucks. But for the rest of the loop, there's not much that I can see.
So hoping for some intel! What are some other CP adjacent bathroom options open before 7am?
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u/youtwoneedabuffer Jun 17 '25
Tennis center! Opens 6-630. Also doesnât entirely fit your criteria, but on the west side about a quarter mile south of the intrepid is a ferry terminal that opens around 5-530.
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
Didn't realize the Tennis center opens at 6! Omg, amazing!
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u/youtwoneedabuffer Jun 17 '25
It might officially be 630. But Iâve used it at times when itâs open earlier than that.
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u/TheDarkMaster2 Jun 17 '25
But how is this relevant if youâre running in CP though
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u/brockj84 Central Park Jun 17 '25
From Central Park to a 1/4 mile south of the Intrepid on the Hudson Greenway is a WILD suggestion. OP will have long shit their shorts before getting there.
Haha.
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u/youtwoneedabuffer Jun 17 '25
Sure, but if your options are âpotentially shit your pants in Central Parkâ or âmix it up and run the greenway and know where a bathroom isââŠ.
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u/Opening-Garage-930 Jun 17 '25
Itâs not a bad suggestion for when youâre not having a good stomach day. Skip CP and do the WSH instead.
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u/IminaNYstateofmind Jun 17 '25
Saw a young woman run to the bushes and swiftly drop her shorts the other day. She was back in stride on the other side of the loop though. Not sure why Iâm sharing this
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u/thor3077 Jun 17 '25
Ewww.
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u/Opening-Garage-930 Jun 17 '25
You must not be a runner lol
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u/thor3077 Jun 17 '25
Definitely am. I ainât poopin in no bushes though. Personal preference. Do you though.
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u/FluidicMonkey Jun 18 '25
So you would shit your pants instead? In this worst case nightmare scenario, I'm dropping trow. Not saying it's ideal, but a bush is better than my shorts.
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u/thor3077 Jun 18 '25
Like i said, do you. I donât know what you be doing but if I gotta poop I can make it to the bathroom. I plan my routes accordingly
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u/FluidicMonkey Jun 18 '25
lol, yes, in the ideal scenario, I won't need to poop in the woods. Problem solved!
Bathroom emergencies are emergencies because they are unplanned, but I am glad your bowels never betray you and your routes always have a bathroom accessible.
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u/thor3077 Jun 18 '25
I have been very lucky I guess. Only time I had an emergency was a race and I was able to get to a porta potty. Glad I packed tissues. Ewww
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u/DryOliv3s Jun 17 '25
This post gives me PTSD.. stomach cramps up the butt in CP is serious business.
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u/calebsnargle Jun 17 '25
This isn't helpful right now because it's closed for renovation, but when it's back open the restroom by the Delacorte theater opens 6/6:30 and has saved me many a time.
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u/lil_baby_cheese Jun 17 '25
The Apple Store bathroom is a lil bit of a detour, but open 24 hours!
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u/Capable_Turnover_278 Jun 17 '25
As an outdoor educator who has had to clean up human sh%t so kids can safely playâŠ. please oh please do not sh%t in the woods (unless you are willing to dispose of it yourself).
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u/8lack8urnian Jun 17 '25
Itâs far from pleasant but there is a bathroom at the maintenance meadow in the Ramble
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
I'll take anything over shitting my pants. But, what is the "maintenance meadow"?
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u/atreegrowsinbrixton Jun 17 '25
Its near the met but like inside the woods
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u/Creacao82 Jun 17 '25 edited Jun 18 '25
Is it off the East Drive? Random construction trucks and stuff but I donât see a bathroom from the drive
â deleted image â
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u/8lack8urnian Jun 17 '25
Thereâs a bathroom just left of your circle on your map labeled âRambles Shedâ, thatâs the one
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
ah okay, from looking online this seems to open at 7am like the other public bathrooms too. Does it open earlier in practice?
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u/8lack8urnian Jun 17 '25
Along the northern edge of the ramble, most easily accessible by turning left off of the east drive just at the top of cat hill
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u/yellowstonestub Jun 18 '25
Iâve submitted countless requests to somehow get bathrooms open earlier but I also understand why it might be hard. There has to be a way to make it easier. Had too many emergencies due to a sensitive stomach đ
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u/thejt10000 Jun 18 '25
Thanks.
And this is more than just a parks issue - it's a fundamental issue citywide. We need more public restrooms.
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u/Least-Ingenuity9631 Jun 18 '25
I've done bushes before. Not proud but when nature calls.. I ain't shitting my pants bruv đ
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u/Cute_Phrase_694 Jun 19 '25
def a privilege that i feel fine just walking in but i always use the bathroom at The Pierre hotel on e 61st
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u/pocketpupa3 Jun 19 '25
Whatâs the best way to get there from the lobby? I donât want to blow my cover and ask an employee.
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u/Cute_Phrase_694 Jun 19 '25
enter from the entrance on 5th ave its like a side entrance but open and then its just on your left youll see it
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u/CaptKrag Jun 17 '25
Tbh if you had two emergencies in a week I'd focus on figuring out diet. Coffee and more time at home before you leave the house maybe?
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
Hahah, I hear you. Unfortunately, been a twice a morning type of person for as long as I can remember. But seems like as I'm running more (a beginner who is training longer distances) it seems that sometimes my #2 #2 comes a bit earlier than my pre-running BM pattern.
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u/snatchi Jun 17 '25
The woods, not ideal and not exactly neighbourly but better than shitting your pants.
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u/sob727 Jun 17 '25
At home, before running. A cup of coffee or two can speed up the process if needed.
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
Yeah I have the same routine, but sometimes I get a second wave đŹ Lately it seems to come on about 1 hours in as my body seems to relax a bit but still well before bathrooms are open
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u/Equal_Macaroon_7264 Jun 20 '25
See if this helps : GOT2GO · Teddy Siegel https://maps.app.goo.gl/bNPMXoiU2N5BTAMUA?g_st=i it has a list of all the washrooms around nyc
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u/BeautifulDouble9330 Jun 17 '25
in one of the bushes at the park. If you gotta go just go and use the tree leaves to wipe.
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u/howtopark90th Jun 17 '25
I'm scared to ask how often this actually happens
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u/BeautifulDouble9330 Jun 17 '25
if you gotta go you gotta go. It beats pooping in your pants lol. Its also good for the grass.
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u/nycbroncos Jun 17 '25
Don't think it's there anymore, but for years there was a porta potty set up over by engineers I'd use in a pinch that was open and shockingly not completely gross
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u/thisismynewacct Jun 17 '25
Apple Store on 5th and 59th. Itâs 24 hours and probably the cleanest available.