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11 Best Staten Island Parks

As NYC’s “forgotten borough”, many people neglect Staten Island and simply avoid a visit altogether.

However, that would be a mistake since this gorgeous part of the city is home to some of the best parks in NYC – enchanting green spaces that easily rank as the best Staten Island parks of them all.

In fact, many of the best parks in Staten Island are renowned for their safety, cleanliness, fun amenities, and overall variety of activities available to visitors.

So, if you’re looking to get outside this summer and want to enjoy NYC like a 30+ year local, then be sure to explore the 12,000+ acres of (thanks to the Greenbelt and Gateway National Recreation Area) natural landscapes that can be found on Staten Island.

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Best Staten Island Parks

1. Seaside Wildlife Nature Park

Named for the wealth of creatures that reside here, this 20-acre green space overlooks the ocean and is one of the best Staten Island Parks for anyone who enjoys a bit of birdwatching.

After all, the semi-salt marsh in Great Kills Harbor is known for having upwards of 68 different bird species that include ospreys, terns, mute swans, and more.

However, the real appeal of this park lies within its magnificent playground, which features a full-on pirate ship that eager children will love to explore.

In fact, the play space is divided into two separate sections that include a fenced-in area for toddlers and a more robust section for older children.

Pro Tip: Bring the kids here in the summer so that they can enjoy the sprinklers here.

Address: Nelson Avenue &, Tennyson Dr, Staten Island, NY 10308

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

2. Silver Lake Park

View of the lake inside Silver Lake Park, one of the best Staten Island Parks of them all.

Just think of Silver Lake Park as Staten Island’s version of Central Park and Prospect Park.

Because this sprawling, 209-acre greenspace has a giant lake in the center and features an 18-hole golf course, multiple tennis courts, various sporting fields, and tons of hiking trails.

There’s also a charming little playground – with swings and a jungle gym – for children to use, in addition to a massive lawn that is ideal for enchanting outdoor picnics.

Added bonus? Full bathrooms are also positioned right near the playground and basketball courts/baseball fields, making them convenient for families to use.

Plus, anyone with an adorable canine companion will love that sections of the park are also dog-friendly too.

Pro Tip: This place has refreshing spray showers available in the summer.

Address: Victory Blvd. &, Silver Lake Park Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

3. Willowbrook Park

This portion of the Staten Island Greenbelt can be found on 164 acres of land that were established to protect wildlife and provide recreational services to local residents.

As such, visitors can enjoy a ton of amenities here like baseball fields, a picturesque pond, a playground, and even a carousel too (first opened in 1999).

Plus, you can admire the old Staten Island Hotel from within the greenspace before doing a bit of catch and release fishing and taking young children to a small playground with monkey bars, a jungle gym, and slides.

Afterward, make use of a nice picnic area, as well as a well-maintained tennis court and several fun hiking trails.

Pro Tip: This is one of the best parks on Staten Island that is located on Eton Place but that has another entrance on Victory. It also plays host to several seasonal, family-friendly activities like a Huckleberry Finn fishing contest and a pumpkin festival.

Address: 1 Eton Pl, Staten Island, NY 10314

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

4. Bloomingdale Park

This gorgeous, super clean, 136-acre park is one of the best Staten Island parks that is home to a wide array of amenities including a playground, walking trails, and sporting facilities like soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

In fact, the playground here is even fenced in and features just two points of exit and entry, something that many parents appreciate due to safety concerns.

Additionally, there’s a full-on restroom for guests to use, plus bocce courts and special, dog-friendly areas.

Yup, it’s just an all-around great place to bring the family and enjoy a quiet afternoon on the South Shore as you walk bike, and roller skate your way along the many flat paths here.

Pro Tip: Bring the kids so that you can enjoy the sprinklers here in the summer and sledding throughout the winter.

Address: Ramona Avenue &, Lenevar Ave, Staten Island, NY 10309

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

5. South Beach

Old pillars in the water at south beach, one of the best beaches Staten Island.

Easily one of the most beautiful beaches on Staten Island, South Beach is a pick for the best Staten Island parks that shares the FDR Boardwalk with nearby Midland Beach on the Eastern Shore.

It’s an iconic place where lots of locals hang out throughout the summer as they attend free concerts and fireworks displays in the area.

So, after doing a bit of low-key sunbathing, have a picnic in one of the many picnic areas here before doing a bit of fishing on the 835-foot-long Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier.

Then, check out several local bocce ball courts or play a game of checkers at some of the beach’s checker tables.

Also, keep an eye out for a rad, bronze beachside fountain or six dolphins that is illuminated by colorful lights in the evening.

If you want, you can also walk, jog, and bike your way along the FDR boardwalk and promenade since it features epic panoramas of New York Harbor.

Address: Father Capodanno Blvd & Sand Ln, Staten Island, NY

Hours: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day lifeguards are regularly on duty from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

6. Schmul Park

Looking for one of the best Staten Island parks with tons of fun things to do? If so then hit up Schmul Park with its vibrant playground, two handball courts, and great basketball courts.

In fact, the toddler-oriented playground here comes with swings, a sandbox, a spray shower, a padded ground, is fully fenced in, and has tons of play equipment too.

Plus, parents will love the fact that this park is super clean and even includes several full working restrooms.

Then, when the kids are next-level exhausted, take some time to lounge around on the wide-open lawn before using a lighted path to access an additional softball field and the North Park of Freshkills.

Address: Wild Ave., Pearson St, Melvin Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

7. Clove Lakes Park

Located in the Sunnyside section of Staten Island, Clove Lakes Park actually derives its name from the Dutch word, “Kloven”, which means “cleft” in English.

And that makes sense when you realize that this is one of the best Staten Island parks that sits in the cleft, or valley, that lies in between Emerson and Grymes Hills.

However, once on-site, guests can spend the day enjoying a host of activities like picnicking on the lawn, taking a paddleboat/rowboat out onto the lake, barbequing at grills, and eating lunch at picnic tables.

Then, engage in different sports on various soccer fields, basketball courts, and baseball fields before visiting a playground and sprinkler that is designed with a slide and set of swings that younger and older children will love.

Finally, take a scenic stroll on one of the many walking paths here before making use of available restrooms so that you can head back home.

Pro Tip: This is one of the best Staten Island parks with ample on-site parking, ice skating at the WWII Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink, and boat rentals available at The Stone House restaurant.

Address: 1150 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10301

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

Price: Boat rentals are $18 per hour while ice skating is $10.00 for admission and $5.00 for skates.

8. Midland Beach and Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk

Extensive boardwalk at Midland Beach. One of the best beaches in Staten Island.

This is one of the many parks in Staten Island that is also a super sleek beach that is home to the immortal Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk (as is South Beach).

It’s also well-visited by locals who come to one of the best Staten Island parks to enjoy stunning panoramas of the Verazzano Narrows Bridge.

So, take a picturesque walk along the 2.5-mile beach/boardwalk here and enjoy various playgrounds, shuffleboard areas, and volleyball courts.

Afterward, go for a swim in the refreshing water since lifeguards are regularly on duty throughout the summer in NYC.

And, if you can, stop by on a glorious Wednesday evening so that you can admire fireworks from the boardwalk before enjoying a delicious dinner at Lilya’s Restaurant and Grill Cafe Gourman.

Just be sure to order the Xinkalli (Georgian dumplings) since they are some of the best in the city.

Pro Tip: You can get here via the SIM6 bus.

Address: Midland Beach, Staten Island, NY.

Hours: If you want to swim, lifeguards are on duty between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You also cannot swim in sections marked with red flags.

9. Wolfe’s Pond Park

Known for being home to some of the best outdoor activities in NYC, Wolfe’s Pond Park overlooks Raritan Bay on the South Shore of Staten Island and was first acquired by the parks department in 1929 after serving as a local beach resort.

Today, it is a quiet place where visitors can enjoy a beach, local wetlands, various walking trails, and admire local wildlife in their natural habitat.

In fact, it’s a great spot to bring the family since there are so many things to enjoy here, including barbecue areas, bathrooms, dog-friendly areas, fishing spots, two playgrounds, a roller hockey rink (end of Cornelia Avenue), spray showers, tennis courts, picnic areas, a boathouse/bathhouse, a pond, and a free And parking lot.

And while the beach here is amazing, it is only open for swimming during the summer season, when lifeguards are on duty between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm daily.

However, the real highlight of and visit here is mountain biking within heavily wooded areas that feature tons of white oak and hickory trees.

In fact, this beloved green space is home to some of the best mountain biking trails in New York and is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch on Staten Island.

Address: 420 Cornelia Ave, Staten Island, NY 10312

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

10. Great Kills Park

Great Kills Pakr, one of the best parks in Staten island.

Originally named Marine Park, Great Kills Park can be found in the – you guessed it – Great Kills section of Staten Island and is a picture-perfect part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

In fact, it’s one of the best Staten Island Parks that covers a massive, 523-acre area and that is home to no less than four different beaches: New Dorp Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Oakwood Beach, and Fox Beach.

Some of these beaches are even lifeguarded, with New Dorp Beach having a long and fascinating history since it was home to the second European settlement on Staten Island.

However, other fun on-site amenities include a beach center, a multi-use path, various hiking trails, fishing areas, ranger-led programs, and a marina/boat launch.

Pro Tip: The boat ramp requires a permit and the swimming beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Also, don’t miss Cedar Grove Beach.

Address: 3270 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm.

11. Blue Heron Park

Easily one of the best Staten Island parks of them all, Blue Heron park was formed by a group of locals in the 1970s on the South Shore of Staten Island.

Today, it serves as a stunning wildlife refuge that is home to vast meadows, incredible woodlands, charming freshwater streams, and quaint ponds.

So, stop by the on-site nature center (complete with a comprehensive nature library) and admire the hand-sculpted blue heron statue here before hitting the trails and watching out for blue herons, red-bellied woodpeckers, and pine warblers.

Next, visit an on-site bird feeding station at the edge of the woodlands before engaging in group activities like organized hikes, yoga classes, crocheting workshops, owl prowls, drawing classes, and more.

Pro Tip: You can find the nature center at 222 Poillon Avenue, between Hylan Boulevard and Amboy Road.

Address: Poillon Ave, Staten Island, NY 10312

Hours: Open daily from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

Map of the Best Staten Island Parks

Best Staten Island parks map.
Click here for the full map.

Additional Staten Island Resources You’ll Love

There you have it! That wraps up this guide to the best parks on Staten Island!

Tell me, did your fave Staten Island parks make the list? If not then let me know in the comments below.

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