Park is an amazing place and always go there every time when visit my friends. Great clean peaceful place either for family and friends time together or if you want to walk/rest on your own. read more

I love Great Kills Park - they have a nice view of the ocean. They have a bathroom - include an eco friendly outhouse thing. It's a great place to take a long walk on the shore or pivot to the other side and stare at the marina. read more

Park is kept exceptionally clean. Unfortunately, the fish are not biting! You feel secure in this park because police do their job here.

Great kills Park in Staten Island is one of NYC's hidden gems. The park is very nice, there is a beach, and a marina. There is an impromptu automobile show most Saturday's and Sunday's, weather permitting. Access to the park is by automobile only, but there is plenty of free parking. The beach is fairly nice, the sand is clean, and the bathrooms are reasonably clean. You may spot some extra's from the set of the "Soprano's" at Great Kills Park, but I can assure you that they are all harmless. read more

Great Kills Park - Parks Near Me - Staten Island, New York

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I am on a fence about this park. Literally. Those fences, "danger" signs and environmental reports are a bit scary. Radiation clean up is no joke. But - it is rather safe in public areas, as my dear friend assured me, and I somewhat trust those findings. Great Kills Park is beautiful. There is a running trail from Hylan to the beach, with clear markers on miles. There are several sandy beaches. Nicely built marina with paved paths and picturesque docks. And seagulls that are the size of the large dog. Not kidding. It's also the best place to sunset-watch on the Island. I do hope officials will hurry up and clean mess behind fenced areas. Soon. *Dedicated to someone I will always keep in my heart, and to dear friends who always keep me safe* read more

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A great marshland/waterfront park in New Dorp, SI. Less than .5 mile from my family's home, it is a cool place to run, walk, bike, blade, swim at a tiny beach and take in the views. New Jersey is close across the harbor. The running/biking path has mile markers, the beach has a Lifeguard in summer, the playground is AoK, all kinds of "ball" courts, waterfowl and critters dashing about; while the Marina, docks and Boardwalks are relaxing havens. Some come out here to cast a fishing line, too. Several people have mentioned the radiation signs, which are somewhat disconcerting. For these people, I have some advice: don't climb over the fences and play in the "radiation warning" areas; find another park; could be worse, could be NJ. It's a choice only individuals can make, kind of give the Park Service props for putting them up...because NJ's "Welcome" sign should have one. Soooo, The dunes are finally coming back after most of the Island was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Outstanding to see nature coming full circle; especially this little gem in the Gateway National Park System. Running and biking next to non man-made bodies of water is not an option where I currently live, so I'm all over it as soon as I'm home. As a person who thrives by the sea/on a beach, and loving the outdoors, this will always top my "steps away get away" list on SI. Serenity is just a sunrise or sunset run away, while breathing the sea air with the sand under my feet. Fangirl status read more

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So Great Kills may not be no Central Park, but doesn't make me love it any less one of my favorite parks in Staten Island. It's a great local park perfect for a stroll, jogging, bike riding, or rollerblading. There is a beach, not one of the best beaches ever but nice if you want to lay out in the sun and don't feel like heading to Jersey. Now for my favorite part of Great Kills Park.... the Marina, such a peaceful spot and the sunsets are gorgeous! PS: Just a quick heads up for those driving in be careful not to go over the speed limit, there are often state police along the road watching for speedy drivers read more

Great Kills Park - Parks Near Me - Staten Island, New York

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Beautiful park on Staten Island. Its great to visit during the summer time. Lovely place to ride your bike, take a walk, swim and other activities. Great space and lots of parking spaces available. Its such a peaceful and beautiful place. read more

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Very pretty park and the beach is nice but completely decimated with litter, up and down the shore line, there is also a ton of driftwood which is fine buyt with the garbage it's a total dump. There are several parking lots to park and look at water in one, one with several entrances to the shorefront and one when you first enter where you can walk on paved trails away from traffic. Staten Island needs to get rid of this garbage then it's a 5 star. Bathrooms closed in winter, there is an outside bathroom, a step up from porta potty but does not flush, it was clean at least. read more

A gorgeous park! I really enjoy walking from end to the other in any season. There is an array of wild life: deer, rabbits, geese, owls, loons, sea birds, ferrel cats. Stunning views, from beach to fields to woodland. I wish they would complete their "cleanup" of the interior parks of the park so they could be further explored. read more

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I had some time to kill before a wedding in Staten Island and Great Kills Park seemed like a decent place to hang out. There are beaches and a marina. You can see from Brooklyn to Sandy Hook and there is plenty on walkways to take a stroll. Best of all, unlike Sandy Hook, this National Park area is free to enter. read more

I had very peaceful and relaxing time with my family! The sunset was simply amazing . You can sit on the sand and watch it or be in the car in chilly day read more

Great Kills Park - The beach - Parks Near Me - Staten Island, New York

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I have mixed feelings about this place. Sometimes it's picturesque and great to bike and walk. Other times it's the most disgusting trashy beach I've ever seen or smelled. The fact that the water is brown and waves nonexistent is insignificant compared to all the trash this place contains at various times in the year. Tampons, condoms, broken glass. Pesticides have been sprayed all along the Orange Trail which makes you feel like you are doing a tour of mankind's destruction of nature. At least those are labelled properly.... Read on! While Googling information about this place, I stumbled on the fact that there are "hot spots" of Radium (radioactive material) inside the park. Seriously. Google it. Right now. The unlawful, immoral dumping was discovered in 2005. It is now July 2012 and guess what NO CLEAN UP has even been started. The EPA and government have basically done nothing except close the closest section of this park and they didn't even do a good job of that: The worst thing about this is the lack of warnings. There are a "Do Not Enter or "Closed" sign here or there but no mention about the reason why. Surely, it would be more effective to state the reason why. Surely the public deserves to know. Just for instance, how many teenagers have wandered by and in the area unaware of the true, invisible danger? It's not like it's completely locked. People can get in. Any "unsafe conditions" signs are not clear enough. There should be large clear signs about the radiation clearly stating "DANGER: RADIOACTIVE HAZARDOUS AREA. RADIATION RISK" Something that would truly WARN the public. PS The cops love handing out tickets to people "speeding" on the road toward the beach. If you do get pulled over, don't consent to an unconstitutional search, cite your 4th amendment right! read more

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Awesome park/beach! Park area/ drive into the park is very nice, peaceful, and clean. I'd love to bike down there on a nice breezy day. The beach is a big enough stretch and quite clean! Wasn't crowded at all when I went (weekday, around 4/5) It's a bit far for me to get to (Brooklyn to SI) but I'd probably make a trip back there again for a little friends/family getaway. read more

We went there on a gorgeous late October Saturday and practically had it all to ourselves, with the exception of a few fishermen in the distance. It was pleasant and peaceful to walk along the beach, accompanied only by a group of seagulls. read more

It's huge, and with marinas, jungle gyms, fields, beaches, model plane fields, and estuaries, this park could fit half of Staten Island and fulfill their expectations of a park too. read more

Great Kills Park - Parks Near Me - Staten Island, New York

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Staten Island also has more natural 'parks'. One is halfway the island on the shore facing Long Island in a village called Great Kills. It is a large park, but you may easily miss the entrance. So ask you bus driver when you get onto the 78 to Tottenville to give you a sign. The first part of the drive takes you through the older part of Staten Island: some very ugly, some quite nice like St. Paul's avenue one of my favorite streets. And you pass the Garibaldi-Meucci museum that should be reopened by now: Meucci was the real inventor of the telephone, and Garibaldi yes, the one from the history books lived in this house for a while. But as soon as you hit Hylan, close your eyes until the driver calls you. Hylan Boulevard is a miles long straight highway that runs all the way to the southern tip of the island, and until Great Kills: it is one boring stretch of look-alike shops and malls. Get out at the park entrance, and look for the sign saying 'the blue trail' almost immediately as you come in. The trail is on your right side, and it takes you through the woods to the village. For me, this was the first trail I followed in New York. And it's not all that long. But to follow a wooded trail in New York was the last thing I had expected even though the din of the cars on Hylan offers a constant reminder of where you are. Follow the trail to the very end: it crosses a gravel road at some point, and ends up at another gravel road. Take that road to the left, and note the very specific vegetation: lots of marshland filled with high reeds, short trees. Believe it or not, but this is typical for New York and the surrounding area: whether you walk in Jamaica Bay (Queens) or you cross over into Newark, everywhere, these endless fields of reeds mark the landscape. On your right, between the bushes, you may occasionally already spot the Great Kills Bay: the coast forms here a crescent shaped peninsula that sticks out into the sea, and that offers a secluded mooring place for yachts and other small boats. Soon, the shrubs end, and you walk along the water, following the coastline. On a sunny day, families are barbecuing here, children playing around, and men sitting in their pick-up truck with the doors open or fishing. I once was here during a mild February afternoon, and was amazed at the number of broken shells on the wooden jetty. Until I found out what caused it: the seagulls dive up the shells and drop them from high up on the jetty. Afterwards, they only have to pick out the slimy contents! A further walk takes you to a large beach. Even in the height of summer, it never gets really crowded but it's not my favorite one. Go past the beach parking lot and follow the road to a threatening sign that states you can only get in with permission of the Park Authority. Walk on, and you get to the end of the peninsula: a wonderful area of shadowed trails, secluded beaches and beautiful views on Great Kills bay and Raritan Bay (the sea arm between here and New Jersey) shimmering in the sun. On the coast, you see the village of Great Kills and to the left in fact right in front of you - is a private village that reminds you of the Mediterranean. On a nice summer day, nothing can beat this place. Afterwards, walk back the way you came, but instead of turning onto the blue trail, follow on and turn left on an unimposing trail. You cross a bridge over a creek and hit a residential private street from where you can unfortunately not get to the rest of Great Kills: you are forced to go back to Hylan, and retrace your steps on the next street leading to the shore. It's worth it: have a drink with raw clams at the Windjammer Cafe, or dinner at the Marina restaurant overlooking the port. And let yourself be seduced by the softly lapping water, the colors of the boats, and of the sun setting on the Bay. read more

Serenity now! Thank God for this! Great Kills Park is part of Gateway National Recreation Area and has a swimming beach with life guards, off-shore fishing, marina, jogging and walking trails and a playground. The best aspect of Great Kills Park, is that there are nooks and crannies to be found, where you are alone on your own beach. read more

Great for spring and summer days, there's little trails that take you on a short stroll through wooded areas. Tennis courts, basketball?, and handball too. Lots of teams go here, usually soccer and baseball, but of the younger kids variety and are pretty contained. The park has SWANS, ducks, rabbits and squirrels. The bathrooms aren't the best-but hey, they're there. Always saw an ice-cream truck in the summer...oh and no syringes on the beach YESSSSS. read more

Beautiful park to just do about anything you want! Drive in or jog in.. Run in or walk in... Parking all over.. Different section to do just angry you got in mind.. Picnics... Beaches... Sails.. Relaxing or just playing ball! Maybe grab some sea food??! This is the place to be near great park for all ages! read more

Love it here love to jog bike ride or just sit in my car at 1 of the many parking areas and watch the beautiful views

Great place for a bike ride or jog. You get an amazing sunset from the end of the peninsula.

The beach is the best on Staten Island.The beach is clean and does not get crowded.There is also cannoning,fishing piers, and great areas for walking.I would recommend this beach for anyone on staten island looking for a great beach. read more

Great Kills park.. so sweet, as you walk threw the park in July you might be tempted to pick the berries off the trees , go for it there yummy and FREE (but you'll need new sneakers after that. This park is magnificent , I'm impressed for a Brooklyn chic. Come and just relax on the beach or take in the view of a few die hard bklyn Ginnie's who still have their hair slicked back tight, skippy sneakers and denim shorts, playing cards at the picnic tables, wear lots of sun block, you don't want your skin looking like theirs..oh and just ignore the whistles and macho remarks.... ya gotta love it. I sat by the boat/dock side many times (bring a chair) (pic of me in silhouette just watching the boats and fishermen enjoying life. If your lucky on Sundays there are a few hobbies that people take to the park, like a bunch of antique car collectors, hobby airplanes, helicopters(men love their toys), kite playing, bike riding, soccer, etc.. Walk, bike ride, roller-blade or run with the wind, its a great place to exercise and take in the view. I have been here many times and each time I wonder why my day doesn't start off like this. I highly recommend if your on S.I. to get over to this park ,stop and smell the ummm...dump I mean roses ! *wink* read more