I grew up attending and working at a camp that came here weekly for cookouts, so call me biased, but there is no park like Valley Stream. Beautiful walking paths, great athletic fields for softball, volleyball, basketball, and more, and multiple playground areas for kids. Add in the tons of picnic tables and pavilions spread out across the park and you can't beat it! A gem in the NYS Parks system. read more

I go to Valley Stream Park for early morning walks, no music, no headphones , just me and my thoughts and the sound of nature. The surrounding area is nice and calm. Often times, I meet my friends, if they can't make it I feel safe walking alone. Safety officers are visible and Nassau County PD conduct tours. The bike lane and lane for walkers are respected by both. The restroom are clean. There is two kiddy parks and BBQ area. The park is a good way to clear my mind and get mine steps in. The tree lines paths are beautiful during the change of season. read more

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It was an average park from the time of the creation of the Parkway system on Long Island. It mostly comes across as a basic park and picnic grounds in which you can BBQ or Picnic. It's pretty because the picnic areas are largely under a canopy of old growth trees and there is a very mild and modest nature trail which traverses the front of the park to the rear entrance. Satisfying tiny stream feature on one of the two trails through the park. Possibly Valley Stream where the park is located. read more

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Big park that's great for running, a good walk, picnic, or bring out your grill and have a BBQ with your loved ones. I love running into this park. Lots of space and greenery. read more

Valley Stream State Park - Parks Near Me - Valley Stream, New York

I came here for my friends baby shower. She reserved the pavilion and it was sooo beautiful because it was a large covered space with tons of seating. I like that the parking wasn't far from the pavilion. The only issue is the bathroom is far away from that area and we had to pay for parking ($8) make sure you have cash!! read more

If you miss the outdoors and want a little time with nature, this is a lovely park to visit. Play areas, bbq stands and a multitude of benches make this a great place for friends to meet and cookout. There are plenty of trails to walk, jog or bike. The steady swooshing of cars nearby is a constant reminder of nearby civilization. but the song of the many birds flying overhead, who call this park home, remind you of why you came in the first place. Come, explore, enjoy! read more

Valley Stream State Park - Picnic Area just off parking lot - Parks Near Me - Valley Stream, New York

This was our first time visiting this park even though we have been living around for about 6 years. This State Park is right next to Southern State Parkway and it is very convenient to get there. We came on a Sunday and there were still plenty of parking spots in the parking lot. There were basketball courts, volleyball courts, playgrounds for big kids and little kids and some exercises trails for the public to use. The bathroom was open to the public, but I was unable to comment on the cleanliness as I did not use the bathroom. The longest hiking trail was around the stream/lake and it was about 2.6 mile. The path wasn't paved for the most part, but it was not hard to walk either. The path was wide and it was close to no elevation, so good for family with kids. Along the trail we saw lots of ducklings, kids loved them. This park is a good place to take an easy walk with the family. read more

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Not really a state park, more like a regular municipal park in the way it feels. All the same, it's plenty charming and I enjoyed my walk through. read more

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My dad enjoys walking here so I joined him today. Parking is $8 (which I think is A LOT), but it's free for senior citizens so we didn't have to pay. There was plenty of parking, probably because it was the middle of the day on a Thursday lol. My dad said it's usually more crowded on weekends. There's something for everyone at this park. There's a nice long walking trail that goes off in different directions so you can go one way one day and one way the next to break up the monotony. There's a playground for the kiddies. There's a picnic area with several tables and grills. There were people biking along the trail as well and there was plenty of room for bikers and walkers alike. Everyone we encountered along the trail was pleasant and offered up a smile and/or a warm greeting. All in all a good experience. I'd definitely come back, with a senior citizen though b/c I refuse to pay $8 for parking. read more

Valley Stream State Park - Parks Near Me - Valley Stream, New York

It's rather small for a state park. A building for mens & womens bathroom exists in the center. There are many picnic tables and fire pits that are in shady areas bc of the numerous trees. An area to pick up coal. A playground and a set of swings is adjacent to the restroom. There's a soccer field and baseball field and basketball court a short ways away. A volleyball sandpit is around. Very crowded during holidays. In the picnic area, where the grass is balding, the dirt is actually mixed in with the used charcoal, so I was coughing and sneezing throughout my time there. My feet (& legs) and shoes were covered in a thick layer of dust. When I blew my nose, the gunk that came out was even more disgusting than when I spend a whole day in nyc, which is pretty amazing. The park is okay for what it is and what it offers. The $8 vehicle fee is kinda crazy though, esp since the park and parking lot are rather small. read more

A friend of mine had an engagement BBQ at this park. There seemed to be a lot of things to do for kids and adults. There are plenty of spaces with tables and grills if you want to have a party or just hang out. Kids can play on various playgrounds, there are places to set up volleyball or badminton nets, there are basketball courts and in general, plenty of space to just run around. Parking is $8, so keep that in mind! The lot was pretty crowded but parking was easy. Traffic coming from the city/Jersey on a Saturday afternoon, however, SUCKED. But that is expected. The ride back was much quicker. This is a nice park :) read more

A small state park located right off of the Southern State Highway. The park offers picnic tables, public grills, basketball courts, and a soccer field. There is a small stream where you'll spot the occasional duck or two. Pretty small in size and can quickly overcrowd on the weekend or major holidays. The park charges a $8 parking fee so beware. read more

My boyfriend's football team holds all of their games at this park. The park is surrounded by beautiful trees, but its kind of hard to enjoy the scenery when you have the highway right next to the park. Overall, its well maintaned. From what I've seen they're pretty strict about cleaning up your garbage and thats how it should be. Parking will cost you $8.00. I think that's absolutely crazy! they need to take it easy. The park is definitely not worth the $8 charge. Waiting for his football season to be over with and I wont be coming back. read more

The price to enter the park goes up every year. What's up with that??? One thing that is upsetting to me is that there are no pets allowed in this park. I bring my small dog to every park with no problem or harassment from the grounds crew. This park will not see my face again because they are not pet friendly. I'm not bringing in a lion or a tiger, it's a tiny dog!! Who is he bothering?? He's always leashed and will be confined to my area so why the no pets rule?? It's ridiculous. Restaurants in Manhattan are allowing you to bring your dog to sit outside with them while Dining. Here is a state park with twigs, dirt and mulch as their picnic area, not the nicest looking park at all, and you're still implying the no pets rule. Trust me, you're not missing anything by going to this ugly park. I'm out. read more

A small, all be it, well maintained State park, but not much to do and not very pretty. It is mostly a good picnic/BBQ spot, with lots of shaded seating. Not worth the $8 unless you have some a cooler full of drinks and so charcoals with you. Pretty clean though. read more

Valley Stream State Park - Parks Near Me - Valley Stream, New York

This park is awesome! The park attendants were helpful and friendly! Plenty of grills and benches. The playground areas are located not far from the benches so you are able to watch the children as the adults can have their time and keep an eye out! read more

I like this park bc I like the outdoors. Its romantic for a walk in the park with a loved one. It has great bbq sites. I wouldn't rate it a 5 because its quite small. However, its a stream which is nice. I would go with a loved one for a cute outdoory date read more

My Husband and I visited this park and had a fabulous time! The maintenance there is pretty good, the park is relatively clean and well preserved. When we were there the park was full of people and it's disturb us a bit. Other than this it's a nice place with a many things to see. read more

What a lovely park! Whenever there is a day that I don't have anything to do and the weather is sunny I adore going here to take a walk and enjoy the gorgeously well maintained landscaping. In Nassau County it is probably one of the nicest parks and it is easy to get to right off the highway. Unfortunately because it is a new york state park if go on the weekends during peak months (may-september, i think) you will have to pay to park there. Here's a tip, use your GPS to take the streets here and park on one of the side streets. You will have to walk a little bit to get into the park but if you are really that upset about the charge, it's an option. Plus, if you're going here to walk anyway why not start your exercise sooner? read more

valley stream state park is a well maintained park on Long Island. it has your trails, bbq areas, basketball courts. for the most part it's a really nice park, however not the best in ny. because of its small size it can quickly fill up on popular holidays. sometimes cars will be waiting at the entrance before closing for hours to get first dibs at a particular prime location within; only on these popular holidays tho and some saturdays. never the less, it's a really nice park. read more

I've been coming to this park for years, and I've stopped recently. However when you do come you realize why you always loved coming because of the openness about it. It's clean the pond is nice and big. You can come meditate and relax. Go for jog or bike ride, there's high nearby so they play sports on there field. However try coming here at night it's beautiful. Oh you can play tennis, basket ball but that's taken over by the kids or teenagers. I'll stick to the trail. There's two sides on the other side you can barbecue. read more

This park is far from small, as said in a last review. It stretches from the southern state parkway to merrick blvd (one way) and from north fletcher to central ave (the other way). It's a really nice park to walk around in, and there's a really beautiful duck pond in the middle. There's a play area for the kiddies located closer to SSP. They have bbq pits and limited workout equipment. On the other side closer to merrick past the pond there's a pool (VS members only) and a big field. read more

Grew up going to this park. Used to ride my bike here with my sister when we were younger and now I go for jogs there when I can. I like the trail and the exercise stations. Unfortunate what recently took place though. Makes me hesitant to go back. read more

I like this park and always have. The location is less than ideal (parkway too close for comfort) and the endless barbecue pits mean you have to avoid it like the plague in the warmer months, but the workout trail is nice and minimalist; very non-intrusive, yet fun. It's a comfortable walk and I like to see nearby Hendrickson park as an extension so that makes it a little bigger. For the area, it's the only place you can really go to get a quiet moment and a breath of somewhat fresh air. Although the grounds could generally be in better repair - the grass can get a bit patchy; the on-site buildings aren't exactly pretty - it's always pretty clean. This is also despite the fact that people take advantage of it (e.g. driving their cars onto the grass because they're too fat and lazy to lug their blankets and portable TVs back to the parking lot after eating ribs all day. Yeah, I'm talking about you, tubby family of 50 blasting your music while passersby glare in your direction). Ahem. In the off-season, it's perfect for walkers, joggers and photographers. read more

I don't know what is up with Long Island and paying to park to go to the park but that overall blows. Doesn't the greedy podonk town of Hempstead have enough money? I think it is to keep out the minorities and other residents and Queens people like myself who think paying to park in a park is ridiculous out of the area. Other than that the park is eh so so but not great. I was spoiled by Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village my whole life so this place to me sucks and is boring. I like the pond because the ducks are cute and follow me but they could get a net and clean it out every now and then. Since they charge to park they could afford to pay the workers to clean it out the lower/ shallow part of the pond. read more

Nice place to have a BBQ plenty of space .... Bathrooms. Slides. Swings ... Enuff to keep the entire family busy