//
Photo: Jim.henderson, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wolfe's Pond Park is a large public park located on Staten Island's South Shore. It is bounded on the west by Holton Avenue, on the south by Raritan Bay, on the northwest by the Staten Island Railway, and on the north & east by Chisholm Street, Luten Avenue, and Cornelia Avenue, which is also the main entry into the park's public areas. Hylan Boulevard bisects the park, and most visitors only visit the eastern half of the park, where Wolfes Pond, two playgrounds, and basketball and tennis courts are located, as well as numerous walking and biking paths, open fields, and a small beach on Raritan Bay. The northern, inland half consists mostly of ponds and woodlands, and the northeastern corner hugs Tottenville High School.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
This park is home to the creek that shares its name, as well as a variety of wildlife. One of the most notable is the purple martin. The park has one of the very few colonies in the New York Metro.
A large park on the South Shore known from its large collection of wildlife, from birds to wildflowers. True to its name, the park is a known habitat for blue herons.
Nature preserve on the South Shore with hiking trails and shoreline access. Fishing is permitted along the beach or the freshwater pond inside the area. Most of the land is minimally developed, and is an excellent place to observe wildlife. An abandoned orphanage on-site, after which the area was named, burnt down in 2000.
Dates back to 1680, and held an abortive peace conference during the Revolutionary War.
This park is home to a large woodland and a number of beaches. A small portion of the beach is closed for radiation screenings.
Only in the first stages of development, this mega-park is set to be 2,200 acres—three times the size of Central Park. It will cover the wild areas of the Fresh Kills, and the former Fresh Kills Dump. The first section of the park, Schmul Park, in Travis, features a large and colorful playground for kids, along with basketball courts, handball courts, and an open grass field.