Summer is fading and Fall is approaching.
The weather outside has hit the point where it is no longer too hot nor is it too cold yet. Everyone can agree that it is a great time to take advantage of the weather and spend some quality time outdoors. Time seems to always be an issue for many busy persons and families, so taking a weekend trip to have a fun outdoor adventure is not always convenient. The good news is that there is no need to spend hours in the car because Staten Island, NYC’s “Greenest Borough”, has it all! Whether you are looking for biking, skating, walking, or jogging, trails; wooded hiking and rock climbing trails; a skateboarding park, an ice-skating rink or bocce courts; basketball courts, soccer fields or baseball diamonds; picnic areas, playgrounds, golf courses or fishing piers; scenic woodlands, or just a place to sit with serene lake or ocean views – you name it, it’s convenient to get to and it is on Staten Island.
From the north shore to south shore, take your pick and enjoy one of our beautiful parklands and all they have to offer.
Silver Lake Park is comprised of 209 acres of scenic trails for hiking, biking or running. There are various sports fields and an 18-hole public golf course. At the centerpiece is a scenic lake. So, take a walk, play some golf or just sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Clove Lakes Park provides an abundance of family entertainment opportunities. Wander the trails around the lakes where you will often be crossing paths with bird watchers. The park offers basketball courts, playgrounds, and several baseball diamonds. Bring the family and light up a BBQ or just picnic at one of the family picnic areas. Clove Lakes Park even has an ice-skating rink which is open seasonally. If you would like to sit and savor a fine dinner, the beautiful Stone Park Café is located within the park.
If fishing strikes your fancy, Staten Island’s FDR Boardwalk which runs parallel to Father Capodanno Blvd will find you in like company on the fishing pier. Water views from the Boardwalk are magnificent and draw walkers, runners and bikers wishing to exercise in beautiful surroundings. Sports fields are plentiful, although you need a reservation, or just bring along your bocce balls and play a few games on one of the bocce courts. The Midland Beach end of the Boardwalk offers skateboard enthusiasts a place to show off their skills at the Ben Soto Skate Park, where its fun to sit and watch them perform their tricks.
Do you think you have to travel upstate to experience the woods and rock climbing, guess again!
For the outdoors enthusiast, High Rock Park offers six wooded walking trails where you can see stands of red maples, highbush blueberries and many other variations of foliage. It is home to wood ducks, great blue herons, muskrats, as well as owls, hawks, woodpeckers, frogs and turtles. You can climb Mt. Moses which is 260 ft. high and offers climbing trails to its peak where you will have a 360-degree panoramic view.
More paved biking and skating trails are available at Great Kills park with a gravel trail that runs parallel for runners. It is approximately 2.1 miles from the entrance of the park to Crooke’s Point where you will see many avid fishermen casting their lines off the beach into the surf. After a several year renovation project, a new children’s playground has just opened.
Bloomingdale park located on the south shore features a 650-yard exterior bike/fitness trail as well as baseball diamonds, soccer fields, two basketball courts and a bocce ball court. Children will enjoy the expansive playground area which also features equipment for children who have disabilities. Dog lovers can bring their canine buddies to run in the fenced dog park with benches for owners to relax.
So, plan to enjoy the great weather and everything the outdoors has to offer because its right at your fingertips on Staten Island.
By: Sonia Tomai
For more information contact Sonia at Sonia@CasandraProperties.com
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