Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is the only national park in the United States that has the status of wildlife refuge. The bay is more than 9,000 acres of islands with forests, marshes, fields and ponds. There are opportunities for birdwatching at Jamaica Bay due to the approximately 330 bird species that dwell in the park. Jamaica Bay is also home to other species of wildlife, including more than 60 species of butterflies and the largest population of horseshoe crabs in the northeastern section of the United States. Since Jamaica Bay consists of islands, there are facilities for water activities, such as fishing and boating, at the docks on Cross Bay Boulevard. The park features the Jamaica Bay West Pond Trail, a path for hiking and cycling.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Cross Bay Boulevard near Broad Channel
Queens, NY 11693
(718) 318-4340
nyharborparks.org
Fort Totten Park
Fort Totten Park was built in the late 1850s based on the designs of General Robert E. Lee, according to the N.Y. State Military Museum, and was initially known as the Fort at Willets Point. The fort was discontinued as a military institution in 1974 and became a public recreational area in 2005. Fort Totten Park features paths throughout the park for jogging and nature walks. There are tours available where park rangers will guide you through the fort and the surrounding forest, explaining the history behind the points of interest at the park. Fort Totten Park rests on the shores of Little Bay, which provides facilities for fishing and boating excursions. The park is also home to the Bayside Historical Society, a center that is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Queens.
Fort Totten Park
Cross Island Parkway
Queens, NY 11359
(718) 670-3684
forttotten.org
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the largest land park in Queens and hosts attractions such as Shea Stadium, home of major league baseball's New York Mets, and the Aquatic Center, a indoor facility for swimming. The park is also home to recreational areas, including the Flushing Bay Promenade, which offers a path for walking and cycling, as well as facilities for sports such as soccer, tennis and softball. Flushing Meadows Corona Park provides opportunities for kayaking and canoeing at the World's Fair Marina on Grand Central Parkway. This park has hosted two World Fairs and features a massive Unisphere, a stainless steel replication of the planet Earth that stands at 12 stories.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens, NY 11375
(718) 760-9583
nycgovparks.org
