The playground is very well planned out. There is a seating area with a little free library…read more There are no bathrooms yet, but they are under construction. Water features, including sprinklers, a wade pool, and access to the bay. No dedicated parking (that I saw) but plenty of street parking. Not far from Cole's Dockside for lunch. Liked it so much, went back two days in a row.

Cute little park. Nice little seaside path…read more Nice play area if you have kids. Chill vibe. It's a neighborhood park, not necessarily a destination in and of itself. Go if you're nearby.

I recommend Clay Pit Ponds nature center for the amazing, AMAZING, children's programming. They…read morehold Tot Time Tuesdays with a read aloud and activity. Just a few weeks ago they had a Harvest Festival; with scarecrow making and pumpkin painting. The staff of rangers there is always a lovely bunch. Check out their eventbrite and Instagram to stay updated on events. Highly recommend you bring your kids. P. S. Can't wait until the maple syrup walks start up in the winter!

Yesterday I went for a hike through this park. You need a map unless you're lucky enough to be with…read morepeople who know the trails. I was lucky! When you first drive up there is parking. There is a bathroom and a building where you can get a map and ask questions. The young lady working there was very accommodating. The trails were pretty well kept. You're walking through the woods basically except for a time or two to cross the road. Ya I would've got lost map and all. We passed an area where they had different types of peacocks, it was like a little peacock zoo. Of course there's beautiful areas with a pond. We saw more then one. The trails we took were a total of 3.38 miles, we did that in 11/2 hours and they went back through the trails again. It's really a beautiful walk/hike that I'd love to go through on a slower pace and photograph more. Not scary if you're going alone. I believe dogs are allowed on leash.

The trails at Greenbelt Conservancy are always good to visit, but one of the best times to come is…read morein the Winter; that's because you'll pretty much have them all to yourself, and you'll be able to snowshoe. Tip: Another good activity to indulge in when you're here is trail running.  There's not a lot of elevation change on the trails, but there's enough distance to get the job done ;-) Once you get a ways inside the Greenbelt you won't hear a lot of car noise, which is a good thing in my book.

The Greenbelt - heart of New York's green side, park of all parks (almost 3000 acres of it!), and…read morelargest of city's forest preserves. From wild life and bird watching to tennis and golf courses, from hiking trails to just enjoying the beauty of nature, it has it all. With six major trails and more secondary ones, Greenbelt is hikers, runners and bikers dream. Clearly marked, varied in terrain and length, trails spread from Hylan to Victory Blvd with a heart in High Rock Park. Must see: Willowbrook Lake, Nature Center & Carousel for kids. There are also many wild streams, old ruins and foot bridges along the trail - enjoy the walk and the scenery! (wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring your camera!) For more info and map of hiking trails: sigreenbelt.org

Victory Blvd was a parking lot. I was tired, and decided to make a run to Forest Ave for cookies,…read moreespresso and hopefully less traffic. After couple of wrong turns, I found myself in a city-block-sized heaven. Quiet park, with tallest trees I've seen on the island. Benches to sit on, grass to play on, shade of the trees comforting and welcoming in heat of summer. Well taken care of, perfectly blue hydrangea was blooming in the corner. Peace.

Quaint little quiet, park right in the middle of a quiet out of the way area of the neighborhood…read more Circular almost hexagon in its dimensions but perfect for peaceful reading, walking your dog, meeting up with a friend to catch up. Another one of Staten Island's little gems that is still perfection! Closes at dusk. Poop scoop Law in effect./ bags on site.

It's definitely an underrated gem, which makes it a blessing or curse that their sign is so…read morenondescript. The walkways are well maintained. The crowds are usually just the right amount of thin. Hiking to the fenced off lighthouse is a pleasant stroll with a bench nearby for reflection. This is definitely a worthy destination if you're in the area.

I've decided to explore the Staten Island parks to walk/hike in. Today I came to Mt. Loretto Unique…read moreArea, and that it is! There is a small parking lot, but not too many people that you can't get a spot. There are different trails to walk up and there is a paved trail throughout. There is a wetlands trail and a dry lands trail. I took the wetlands. This takes you to the beach. You're like at the end of the world. I was expecting to see the head from the Statue of Liberty! only.49 miles so I came back and went on the paved trail which also has a few different trails, gentle rolling hills. Easy to do though. I saw birds, wild flowers interesting fields. Before I knew it I walked over 2 miles. There is an area with picnic tables covered by a roof. A few nice decks right by the water with a place to sit and watch the sea birds. Very very clean!. You do see others but no one is in your way. You can bring your dog. There is a pail for your poop bag and I would think it would be nice to walk your dog up there right before you go on the trail. There is a porta John up front in the parking lot. So all in all it was a great place! Will bring bug spray so I can hit a few of the more over grown trails. Taken care of but on the narrow side. Get out and walk or hike!

We went there on a gorgeous late October Saturday and practically had it all to ourselves. The…read morepark is part of the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation. You'd never know this was once a wasteland filled with many abandoned cars, because it's now a very peaceful and good-sized place with six ponds. The two largest (and most beautiful) are Blue Heron Pond & Spring Pond. The reflection of the foliage in the water was really lovely! There are naturalist-guided walks every Sunday at 1:15 & 2:15 p.m. and they leave from the Nature Center. In addition, there are various other programs (see the Friends of Blue Heron Park web site).

The trails are not very long or challenging, but the strength of the park is its wildlife, many…read morekinds of insects and birds. If you do all the trails (pretty doable in one day) you end up seeing a lot. The forest is fairly picturesque with several lakes and streams.

I came here to explore and clear my head on my lunch break, and just how in the world did I not…read moreknow about this place before??? My little hike started with balancing on stones to cross a small creek and then locating the entrance to the trails in a local neighborhood. This was followed by an excellent, very steep, heart-pumping climb to the top of the "mountain". After about another 1/2 a mile I came to the LaTourette Golf Course and cut across a small parking lot. In the next leg of the hike, I encountered many deer, robins, woodpeckers, big blue jays. bright red cardinals & squirrels. There was a section of the park which turned out to be burned down, I am not even sure if the FDNY is aware of this. I really enjoyed the solace of this place and the way the birds sings and calls echo throughout the forest. There are large trees, some of the largest I have seen on Staten Island. Please be aware of the abundance of poison ivy - stick to the trail!

Acres and acres of woods, miles of trails. It's nestled in the center of Staten Island but gives…read moreyou a great feel of what it all looked like before civilization came along.

FUN that is all I have to say! Went with my girlfriend and we didn't follow the trail we just…read morewalked down the creek and it was FUN

I did the mini hike (5-10 minutes) from the small parking lot at the base of the hill. I was the…read moreonly one there. The route was unmarked (no blazes) and 85% overgrown so I was bushwhacking along the suggestion of a trail and following my nose when the path split. Much of the walk was climbing over rocks and tree roots - which is fine, I like that kind of hike, but this is a warning for those who might not. At the top, there was no marker to acknowledge you were at the summit. I visited in August and trees in full leaf so there was no view to be had. Not sure how far one can or can't see if the dead of winter. Waste of time.