Alley Pond Park
Directions
Driving: The intersection of the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and the Cross Island Parkway cuts the park into two sections.
- North of I-495. Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22806 Northern Blvd, Little Neck, NY 11362 – GPS Coordinates: 40.762835, -73.753249
- South of I-495. Alley Pond Ropes Course, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364 – GPS Coordinates (approximate): 40.742307, -73.738085
Public transportation: Flushing Line (#7 train) to Main St.; Q12 bus to Northern Blvd.(East). The Center has a bus stop just outside its doors -- it is the first building on the right after the Cross Island Parkway. The Long Island Railroad also stops at Bayside, where you can walk south to Northern Blvd. and catch the Q12 bus.
By car from Northern Boulevard near the Cross Island Parkway.
Public transportation: Flushing Line (#7 train) to Main St.; Q12 bus to Northern Blvd.(East). The Center has a bus stop just outside its doors -- it is the first building on the right after the Cross Island Parkway. The Long Island Railroad also stops at Bayside, where you can walk south to Northern Blvd. and catch the Q12 bus.
Bus Directions
Public transportation: Flushing Line (#7 train) to Main St.; Q12 bus to Northern Blvd.(East). The Center has a bus stop just outside its doors -- it is the first building on the right after the Cross Island Parkway.
Train Directions
The Long Island Railroad also stops at Bayside, where you can walk south to Northern Blvd. and catch the Q12 bus.
Park Overview
Alley Pond Park is located in eastern Queens with a unique wetlands environment. Alley Pond Park is the second-largest public park Queens, NYC
Trail Overview
Use the Web Map link on this site to view the 8.2-mile network of six blazed trails plus unmarked paths in Alley Pond Park. Many loop hikes are possible, including the Yellow Trail (2.2 miles) around the northern section of the park from the Environmental Center, and the White Trail (2.2 miles) around its southern part from the ropes course parking area.
Numerous trails wind through native hardwood (oak-hickory) forest and kettle ponds. The north end of the park boasts splendid salt marsh views.
Park Description
Alley Pond Park
Much of Alley Pond Park is situated on a ridge left by a retreating glacier, which also dropped massive boulders and carved kettle ponds into the landscape. There are wetlands composed of fresh water, salt water, and an estuarine mix of both. This mix helped create the diverse ecosystems found in the park, and is an attractant for migratory birds and other wildlife. There is both a Nature Center in the wooded south side of the park, and an Environmental Center at the northern end in the wetlands. Additional information for the park can be found on the Environmental Center website (use Contact Information on this site)