Now that spring is in full bloom, it’s time to start thinking about ways your family can enjoy the great outdoors on Staten Island. One easy way to embrace nature as a family is to have a picnic! There are many places where families can have a picnic on Staten Island. From beachside locales to historical sprawling grounds, there are many picnic spots located throughout the borough.
Browse our guide to some of the best spots for picnics in Staten Island, pack a basket with some good eats and be on your way to outdoor family fun. It’s free to spread out a blanket and enjoy a picnic at most of these locations, but if you plan to host a larger party, it’s best to call or check online about rules, regulations and possible fees and permits. For example, if you want to have any activity in a NYC-run park with more than 20 people, or if you’d like to reserve a specific area within a park, you must apply for a special event permit.
Wolfe’s Pond Park
WHERE: 420 Cornelia Ave.
PHONE: 212-639-9675
HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary.
From scenic water views to beautiful sprawling grounds dotted with trees, Wolfe’s Pond Park is a great place to set up lunch at one of the many on-site picnic tables, and enjoy the fresh air with your family.
Great Kills Park – Gateway National Recreation Area
WHERE: Hylan Boulevard and Buffalo Street
PHONE: 718-354-4606
HOURS: Daily, 6am-9pm
Great Kills Park is a 523-acre park that is part of the National Park Service. Families can enjoy the park any time of year, but come summer, it’s a great place for a picnic on the beach. Amenities include a life-guarded beach, hiking trails, biking trails and more.
Clove Lakes Park
WHERE: 1150 Clove Rd.
PHONE: 212-639-9675
HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary.
Cloves Lakes is one of Staten Island’s most popular parks. There’s a section with picnic tables for visitors to use, or they can spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic on the grass. The park is packed with activities families can enjoy before or after their picnic, including paddle boats in the summer, sports fields, a playground and more. There’s also a dog friendly area if you want to bring the family pup to the park!
Bloomingdale Park
WHERE: Ramona and Lenevar Avenues
PHONE: 212-639-9675
HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary.
Pack a picnic basket and head to this South Shore park that has lots of activities for kids and families to enjoy, including soccer fields, trails and a playground.
Conference House Park
WHERE: 7455 Hylan Blvd.
PHONE: 718-984-6046
HOURS: Call for information.
Right at the southernmost end of Staten Island is Conference House Park, site of a 1776 peace conference that attempted to end the Revolutionary War. Families can toss a blanket on the lawn or under a tree to enjoy a picnic. After dining, children can toss a ball, play and simply run on the sprawling lawn. Park-goers can walk along the beach or hike into the woods to enjoy nature. Kids—and adults—will get a kick out of seeing New Jersey right across the water!
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Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
WHERE: 1000 Richmond Terr.
PHONE: 718-448-2500
HOURS: Grounds are open daily, dawn to dusk
Snug Harbor is a delightful location for a family picnic. It’s free to explore the grounds, home to 26 historic structures, botanical gardens, a 2-acre urban farm, wetlands and more. Just keep in mind there is a fee to enter some of the on-site museums.
Alice Austen House
WHERE: 2 Hylan Blvd.
PHONE: 718-816-4506
HOURS: Call for grounds hours.
The Alice Austen House grounds provide scenic views and sprawling lawns perfect for a family picnic. While you’re there, consider stopping in the museum to learn about Alice Austen, one of the earliest and most prolific female photographers in the United States.
Willowbrook Park
WHERE: Richmond Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Ashworth Avenue and Forest Hill Road
PHONE: 718-667-2165
HOURS: 6am-10pm or 1am, but hours can vary.
Willowbrook Park is a woodland escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. There are barbecue areas, baseball fields, and more for families to enjoy during their picnic outing. A major highlight of the park is the Carousel for All Children, a handicap-accessible merry-go-round that children can enjoy.
Fort Wadsworth
WHERE: 120 New York Ave.
PHONE: 718-354-4606
HOURS: Daily, 6am-9pm
Fort Wadsworth is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which is maintained by the National Park Service. There are picnic tables, views of the Narrows of New York Harbor, walking and biking trails, and more.
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
WHERE: 83 Nielsen Ave.
PHONE: 718-967-1976
HOURS: Grounds are open year round, sunrise to sunset
Clay Pit Ponds is a state park off the beaten path on the South Shore. A hidden gem, it’s a 265-acre nature preserve that is home to many habitats, including wetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams and woods. Visitors can picnic and hike on designated trails within the park. Keep a look out for cool wildlife, such as deer, squirrels and lots of birds!
This article has been updated from 2022.
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