Living in NYC often gives residents the best of both worlds.
From towering skyscrapers to quiet waterfront trails, and bustling city blocks to peaceful stretches of beach, there are endless ways to experience completely different worlds all within the five boroughs.
But one of the most magical parts of living here is how quickly the city can transform around you—you can be surrounded by the chaos of the concrete jungle one minute and, the next, find yourself immersed in scenic nature preserves, sandy coastal beaches, and lush greenery without ever leaving city limits.
And nowhere captures that contrast better than Shirley Chisholm State Park.
NYC’s largest state park sits atop what was once a series of landfills that remained closed to the public for decades before being transformed into a sprawling 407-acre waterfront sanctuary along Jamaica Bay.
Today, the park feels worlds away from the city’s nonstop energy, with rolling hills, wide-open meadows, peaceful wetlands, and some of the most breathtaking skyline and bay views in Brooklyn.
Trails, Waves, and Wildlife: The Experience
Unlike many of NYC’s more crowded green spaces, Shirley Chisholm State Park still feels like a hidden escape. Visitors can explore miles of uncrowded hiking and biking trails, spot local wildlife and migratory birds along the water, relax in scenic picnic areas, or take advantage of the park’s free coastal bike rentals to cruise along the shoreline.
The elevated landscape also offers sweeping panoramic views of Jamaica Bay, the Manhattan skyline, and the surrounding marshlands, especially stunning around sunset.
Here is what you can look forward to during your visit:
- Miles of Trails: The park is divided into two main sections—the Penn Pier side and the Fountain Avenue side. Together, they offer over 10 miles of uncrowded, gravel paths perfect for hiking, running, and biking.
- Bike New York’s Free Rentals: Don’t have a bike? No problem. The park partners with Bike New York to offer free bike loans for all ages on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing you to cruise along the shoreline with the wind in your hair.
- A Haven for Wildlife: Thanks to the extensive environmental restoration, the park is now a bustling habitat for local wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot everything from peregrine falcons and osprey to migratory waterfowl. Keep an eye out for coastal marine life along the wetlands, too.
- The Best Views in Brooklyn: At the highest points of the trails, you are treated to sweeping, 360-degree panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see the Manhattan skyline, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay, and the Rockaways. It is arguably one of the most stunning, unobstructed sunset spots in the entire city.
From Landfill to Landmark: The History
Before it was a thriving ecological sanctuary, this waterfront expanse had a much grittier past.
For decades, the site was occupied by the Pennsylvania Avenue and Fountain Avenue landfills, which closed in the 1980s. For over 30 years, the land remained sealed and off-limits to the public while the Department of Environmental Protection underwent a massive, $200 million remediation project.
Engineers placed an impermeable cap over the landfills, covered them with clean soil, and planted over 35,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses to help restore the local ecosystem.
In July 2019, the land was officially reborn as a state park. It was named in honor of Shirley Chisholm, the trailblazing Brooklyn native who became the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress and the first Black candidate to seek a major-party nomination for President of the United States.
How to Get There
Shirley Chisholm State Park is located in Jamaica Bay, bordering southern Brooklyn and Queens. Depending on your vibe, there are a few ways to get there:
- By Bicycle: For the adventurous, you can ride directly onto the paths via the Jamaica Bay Greenway, which connects seamlessly to the park’s entrance.
- By Car (Easiest): The park is easily accessible via the Belt Parkway (Exit 14 for Pennsylvania Ave or Exit 15 for Erskine St). Both the Pennsylvania Ave and Fountain Ave entrances offer free, ample parking—a rare luxury in NYC!
- By Public Transit: Take the 3 or 4 train to the Pennsylvania Ave station, then transfer to the B83 bus south to the Pennsylvania Ave/Seaview Ave stop. Alternatively, take the A or C train to Euclid Ave and catch the Q8 bus to Fountain Ave.
