There are hundreds of green areas in Queens that vary in size, design and activity choices. They provide everything you need for a great vacation, including areas for cycling, surfing and swimming. They also hold festivals and concerts. Find out about the best parks in Queens at queens.name.
Gantry Plaza State Park
Located on the banks of the East River, this urban oasis is ideal for cultural and sporting events, as well as barbecues, fishing, rowing and other activities.
The southern part of the park was once a pier. Piers, shipping locks and restored platforms all serve as reminders of New York’s past. The city once operated as a major seaport. The northern part of the park was originally home to a PepsiCo bottling plant, which closed in 1999. The neon sign Pepsi-Cola, measuring 37 meters in length and 18 meters in height, stands here as a reminder of the past. Thanks to landscaped gardens and green spaces, the entire area has been turned into a lovely green space with a spectacular view of Manhattan and the UN headquarters.
The park is divided into four areas: Gantry Plaza, Library, Fields and Piers. People come here to walk the paved paths along historical sites, enjoy a picnic or simply unwind. The waterfront features fashionable cafes, restaurants and hotels for all budgets. Also, owing to its stunning views of Manhattan and the East River, Gantry Plaza State Park is a popular location for photo shoots. Couples in love can take romantic shots with a panorama of the city in the background.
The park stage hosts concerts and shows on many occasions. Experienced athletes can visit the basketball, handball, tennis and racquetball courts. There’s also an Artdeco-style playground with a multicolored rubber floor, a treadmill, grass areas for tossing flying discs and a multi-purpose sports field for soccer and lacrosse. In the summer and autumn, local rowing teams kayak in the park. Water activities are available for everyone.
Flushing Meadows
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, or simply Flushing Meadows, is a public park in North Queens. In the 20th century, it became a venue for two World’s Fairs that became a symbol of industrialization while also providing an open platform for demonstrating technical and technological advancements. The location serves as a time capsule, preserving the history of the exhibitions while also hosting social and cultural events for both locals and tourists.
Here, you can play football, tennis, baseball and volleyball, visit a wildlife conservation center, a recreation center, an ice rink and an Olympic-sized indoor pool. In addition, there are several trails for hiking and cycling and lakes for water sports.
Meadow Lake is suitable for fishing. This freshwater pond hosts a boat race competition known as the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Boats for rowing and kayaking are available for rent to everyone. In the summer, the park hosts a night food market called Queens Night Market, where international cuisine is served. On the third weekend of May, the Citi Field baseball stadium hosts the World’s Fare Food festival. Since 1978, the park has hosted the US Open tennis tournament. This is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament.
The most recognizable sculpture in the park is the Unisphere, which is surrounded by fountains. Its steel components represent the world’s countries, while three steel rings represent the first artificial satellites that orbit the Earth.
Astoria Park
It is a public park in the Astoria neighborhood that is home to the oldest and largest swimming pool in New York City. It opens on the first weekday following the final day of the school year in New York public schools. The pool is closed before the start of the season.
The views from the park, which is located on the banks of the East River, are breathtaking. There is a running track that surrounds a football field on the south. There are 14 tennis courts to its east. In addition to the swimming pool, the central area features a Play Center, basketball courts and bocce courts.
Forest Park
Forest Park is known for the largest oak forest in Queens. The park is situated on hills formed by a glacier and serves as a haven for natural plants and wildlife in the heart of a bustling city. In addition to the large population of local birds, migratory birds settle here in spring and autumn.
There are several hiking trails available for both locals and tourists. Other amenities include playgrounds, a carousel, a treadmill, two play fields for dogs, a pond, tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, a skate park and a golf course.
If you enjoy taking leisurely walks through the woods, watching birds and riding a bicycle amid abandoned railway tracks, this park will provide you with endless hours of adventure.
Roy Wilkins Park
Roy Wilkins Park is named for a civil rights leader. It draws visitors with its large basketball, tennis and handball courts. Every Labor Day, the Irie Jamboree reggae festival takes place here, including some of the best performers from Jamaica. The park is home to the 425-seat Black Spectrum Theatre, which has piano and cinema halls.
The Roy Wilkins Recreation Center was once part of a naval hospital. Its most prominent feature is the Olympic-sized swimming pool. In addition, numerous events are held here, including daytime summer camp, extracurricular activities and consultations. Located near the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center is the African American Hall of Fame, which honors significant black figures in the States. In the southeastern part of the park, there is an artificial pond, created back in 1997. In addition, there is a vegetable garden, one of the largest public gardens in New York.
Cunningham Park
It is one of Queens’ largest parks and is ideal for hiking and picnicking. Every summer, both the Big Apple Circus and the New York Philharmonic perform here. The space is named for W. Arthur Cunningham, a former New York City comptroller.
The hilly terrain of Cunningham Park was formed by glaciers. The Dutch colonists arrived here in the early 1600s, followed by the British. During the American Revolution (1775-1783), British forces occupied the area and cut down the majority of the local forests. The rural landscape of East Queens remained intact until the economic boom and demographic explosion in the early twentieth century.
Kissena Park
It is an excellent lakeside leisure spot, located in the Flushing neighborhood along the underground Kissena Creek stream. Kissena Lake, surrounded by weeping willows, provides an idyllic setting for enjoying a sunny day. Take a walk through the park to view the rich flora and fauna, and don’t miss the Historic Grove. The Grove features dozens of the most exotic tree species in the world.
After you’ve enjoyed the beauty of the park, plan an active day. Activities available here include tennis, bocce, softball, baseball, handball, golf, cricket and, most intriguingly, cycling races at the Kissena Park Velodrome.