Staten Island Parks and Recreation — Part 2
Escape into Nature in “The Greenest Borough” Part 2
Full trees, green grass, and lush expanses of untouched nature make this the greenest of any other borough. With over 170 parks (9,000 acres of green space), it’s no wonder that Staten Island is called “The Greenest Borough”. There are more than 12,300 acres of protected parkland – that’s more than one third of the Island’s total land mass!
Taking advantage of these Staten Island parks will make you forget you’re just minutes from Manhattan as you experience the charm of the countryside.
North Shore Parks: Silver Lakes Park
With plenty of fun close to the ferry, Silver lake Park covers 209 acres providing abundant recreational activities including golf, tennis and soccer, and of course, plenty of open space. In the winter, lace up the ice skates with the family and head out on the frozen lake in the middle of the park.
North Shore Parks: Clove Lakes Park
Explore Clove Lake by boat or get sporty with the many baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, soccer field as well as a football field and ice skating rink. With 198 acres, Clove Lakes Park also features Staten Island’s largest living thing — a three hundred-year-old tulip tree! One hundred and seven feet tall, this tree has lived through the consolidation of New York City, the Revolutionary War, and the settlement of Staten Island!
South Beach
Considered the pride of the shoreline, the South Beach Boardwalk stretches for almost two miles! Nicknamed “The Riviera of New York City,” this recently restored Boardwalk area boasts new playing fields, fun fountains and a lifeguarded beach, making it a popular destination for the entire family. South Beach also features a comfort station, a shady gazebo, snack bars, a restaurant and the 835-foot Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, which is one of the longest in New York City.
South Shore Parks: Clay Pit Ponds Park
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is a 260-acre nature preserve that features wetlands, sand barrens, spring-fed streams and woodlands. More than these diverse ecological habitats, this park also has a long cultural history. Pack up a picnic then head out for a hike or even go horseback riding and enjoy all the park has to offer.
South Shore Parks: Mt. Loretto
Within Mt. Loretto’s 194 acres are five separate ecosystems: grasslands, tidal and freshwater wetlands, forests, and Staten Island’s coastline. The distinctive clay bluffs are the last remaining in New York City. This is the perfect place for hiking, heading to the beach, horseback riding, bird watching and fishing.
Willowbrook Park
The 164-acres of Willowbrook Park is one Staten Island’s most popular outdoor destinations. It is home to a Victorian inspired carousel, ballfields, tennis courts, playgrounds and an archery range. Explore the birds on Willowbrook Lake by paddle or row boat for an afternoon with the family.
On Staten Island, Gateway Arms Realty Corporation is an outstanding resource for anyone who is looking for the right real estate opportunity. All of our agents live and work on the Island, giving them an exceptional understanding of local towns, properties and market trends. As a family-owned & operated, full-service real estate agency, we are determined to make a positive mark in the community while providing a vast amount of services to buyers, sellers, investors, property owners, along with tenants with the highest level of knowledge, integrity, and professionalism.