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Home , 133rd Street (Manhattan), Alley (company), Alley Pond Park, Astroland, Belt Parkway, Bowne Park

TABLE OF CONTENTS The - Guide

INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1 CONEY ...... 3 2 OCEAN ...... 11 3 PROSPECT ...... 16 4 ...... 22 5 / . . .29 6 ...... 36 7 FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK ...... 42 8 KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR ...... 54 9 PARK TO ...... 61 CONCLUSION ...... 70 GREENWAY SIGNAGE ...... 71 BIKE SHOPS ...... 73 2 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System ntroduction New Department of & Recreation (Parks) works closely with The Brooklyn-Queens the Departments of Transportation Greenway (BQG) is a 40- and City Planning on the planning mile, continuous and implementation of ’s and cyclist route from Greenway Network. Parks has juris- in Brooklyn to diction and maintains over 100 miles Fort Totten, on the Long of greenways for and Island , in Queens. recreational use, and continues to I plan, design, and construct additional The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway pro- greenway segments in each , vides an active and engaging way of utilizing City funds and a exploring these two lively and diverse number of federal transportation boroughs. The BQG presents the grants. cyclist or pedestrian with a wide range of amenities, cultural offerings, In 1987, the Neighborhood Open and urban experiences—linking 13 Space Coalition spearheaded the parks, two botanical gardens, the New concept of the Brooklyn-Queens York , the Brooklyn Greenway, building on the work of , the Hall of , , , two environmental education and Moses in their creations of centers, four lakes, and numerous the great parkways and parks of ethnic and historic neighborhoods. Brooklyn and Queens. Feasibility and The guidebook also provides informa- design studies completed in 1988 tion about nearby public transporta- with the help of many City agencies tion, restrooms, places to eat, and bike and civic and community groups. shops. Recent City administrations have seen fit to further this vision of a chain of The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway is green from shore to shore, and today, part of the larger the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway forms Greenway System, an interconnected a critical component of the City’s network of bicycle and pedestrian Greenway system. pathways linking parks and commu- nities throughout the boroughs. This publication was made possible The Department of City Planning’s through funds from the Intermodal 1993, A Greenway Master Plan for New Surface Transportation Efficiency Act York City, which outlined 350 miles of (ISTEA) under the Transportation potential , noted that greenways Enhancement (TEP) Program, admin- are “…at once the parks for the 21st istered by the New York State century and a part of the transporta- Department of Transportation tion infrastructure, providing for (NYS DOT). pleasant, efficient, healthful, and envi- ronmentally sound travel by foot, bicycle or skates.” The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 3 Coney Island

Length: 5.5 miles (loop) Estimated travel : Biking—45 minutes; —3 hours Attractions: Coney Island and Boardwalk, Keyspan Park, Nathan’s Famous, /Seaside Park, 1 (slated to close at of 2007 or 2008 summer season), Abe Stark Skating Rink, Parachute , Deno’s Amusement Park, The Rollercoaster, Beach, The , Coney Island Museum & Sideshow Character: Surf is a busy commercial with no marked bike and plenty of distracted drivers. The boardwalk is a well-used, auto-free pedestrian route. Bikes are allowed on the boardwalk between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Directions at a Glance Starting at the end of 0.0 Mile Travel towards the right, west, on Surf 1.9 Avenue. 1.95 Turn left on 37th Street. Turn left onto (Between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., cyclists must dismount and walk Coney Island Alternate Bike Route their bikes on boardwalk. For 4.6 alternate bike route see below.) When the boardwalk is closed to cyclists, At the end of the boardwalk, turn follow this route. Instead of turning left onto around and backtrack. West 37th Street, turn right onto West 37th 5.4 Street and ride to Neptune Avenue. Turn right 5.5 Veer right onto Seabreeze Walk. onto Neptune Avenue and ride to Ocean End at Ocean Parkway at Parkway. Turn left onto Ocean Parkway to Seabreeze Avenue. pick up the next segment of the Greenway.

CONEY ISLAND 4 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

CONEY ISLAND The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 5 Subways

The D, F, N, and Q lines all stop at Coney Island. (For the latest transit information, visit the MTA website at www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234).

Where to Eat

Wonder Wheel: The with the roller Go past the Wonder Wheel for take- coaster on the inside. When the inside swings away hotdogs, corn on the cob, fried out, many a stomach has been left behind. clams and other classic American fast in the now known as Sea Gate. food. In , can pay This was a respectable establishment, a little bit more and get a sit-down but by the turn of the nineteenth cen- meal at several boardwalk cafés. tury, Coney Island had become New York's wild west, an area notorious for Public Restrooms its rowdy drinking and gambling halls, prize fights, and rampant There is a restroom near West 27th prostitution. Respectable society had Street and Surf Avenue. The board- moved east. The era's most wealthy walk has public restrooms at West 30th and celebrated flocked to Street, , West 8th Street, Beach, where majestic lined the and Brighton 2nd Street. They are open beach. The prosperous Memorial Day to from 9 summered at Brighton Beach, where a.m. to 6 p.m. the architecture was impressive, but less grand. Area History West Brighton was the buffer zone Coney Island is no longer a true between the high and low-life. This island. When European settlers first was the destination for day-tripping, arrived, it was a narrow sliver of land, working class folks who came by separated from the rest of steamship, , or trolley to sing in by a salty creek that was crossable at the beer halls, eat in the enormous low tide. Coney Island's name comes restaurants, shake a leg in the from the Dutch name “Konign halls, and try their luck in the penny Eisland” or Rabbit Island. The reasons arcade. This is the section of the beach for the name are in the murk of that became the Coney Island of time. It could be that the original popular imagination, especially with grasslands and scrub here supported a the advent of pioneering amusement hopping of long ears. parks: Steeplechase in 1897, in 1903, and Dreamland in 1904. These Development began in 1829, upon were ambitious creations, completion of the Coney Island forerunners to today's Disneyland and

CONEY ISLAND 6 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Six Flags parks. For a dime, you were thousands making the trek to Long admitted to fanciful exotic villages, Island and crowded as any Lower instead. Some would say that this was street, where every twist in the way a . The well-known photographer, brought another enticement to spend , published three famous some fun money on a ride, a show, a pictures−one each in 1940, 1945, and game, or a dance. 1952 showing thousands of beach- goers packed to shoulder. As the twentieth century wore on, Today, however, Surf Avenue and the these amusement parks lost much of Coney Island boardwalk remain a their novelty. They disappeared in lively scene, a favorite trip for many reverse order of their completion. New Yorkers. Significant changes Dreamland burnt to the ground in within Coney Island are anticipated 1911; it took a series of fires in the with the area’s planned redevelop- 1940s to close down Luna Park. ment, guided by a strategic plan that didn't close until was unveiled for the area in 2005. The 1964. But the three from 1920 plan focuses on creating new housing to 1950 were arguably Coney Island's and strengthening the area as a year- heyday. On a hot summer weekend round destination with afternoon, thousands of New Yorkers seaside attractions. would take the subway to partake of Coney Island at its most elemental: Trip Description sand, surf, and Nathan's hot dogs. The trip starts at the corner of Surf With the rise of the automobile, Coney Avenue and Ocean Parkway. Most Island's primacy waned, with people will be tempted to head

Thrills: Coney Island tends toward the brightly colored Macabre.

CONEY ISLAND The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 7

Nathan’s: A table for four without the table straight to the Boardwalk, which has The world-famous Cyclone roller- many entrances beckoning from Surf coaster stands proud at West 10th Avenue. But Surf Avenue is also well Street. Don’t let the and the worth exploring in its own right, with antique looks fool you— is as many star attractions and a lively much fun as any of the high-tech pedestrian scene. For bike riders, Surf theme park extravaganzas in the Avenue offers an opportunity to stay . mounted and rolling when the board- walk is closed to bike riding. The zone between West 12th and West 16th is the haunt of the outra- Heading west on Surf Avenue, you’ll geous. The corner here is quickly notice Asser Levy/Seaside West 12th Street and Surf Avenue, Park. The centerpiece of this park is where you’ll find the Coney Island its amphitheater, whose is Sideshow. This modest showhouse is crowned by a high-tech white tent. dedicated to keeping alive the Information on amphitheater events thrilling underbelly of Americana— can be found on the Parks & besides the sideshow, the venue hosts Recreation website, regular burlesque and rock-and-roll www.nyc.gov/parks. The park pro- shows. Hours of operation can be vides a nice refuge from the hurly- found at www.coneyisland.com for burly of the surrounding streets and both the Sideshow and Museum. the boardwalk, for those just seeking some good old-fashioned green grass Look no further than the Coney and shade. Island Museum at 1208 Surf Avenue

CONEY ISLAND 8 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System for photographs and artifacts from the to the public on weekends and school resort area’s yesteryears. Up for a holidays from the Beginning of game of chance and/or skill? You can October to the beginnig of April. try your hand in the amusement Other times it’s used by arcades along this stretch of avenue. leagues. Don’t have a pair of skates? No problem—you can them here. Moving along, you’ll go from honky- tonk to spiffy family fun. The old site After Keyspan Park, Surf Avenue of Steeplechase Park is occupied by becomes a , a zone of Keyspan Park, a minor league housing developments and assisted- that is home to the living facilities. One worthy detour is . Visit www.brooklyncyclones.com for the Santos White Community Garden game and event schedules. at 2110 Mermaid Avenue. Turn right at West 21st Street, and go up one block. The Abe Stark Skating Rink stands at This garden looks great anytime of the corner of West 19th Street and Surf year. Avenue. If you want to take a spin on th the ice, this pro-quality facility is open Turn left on West 37 Street to reach the boardwalk (or right for the

Sunset at Coney Island Beach

CONEY ISLAND The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 9

Coney Island alternative bike route). Jump, rises near West 19th Street. At 262 feet, the is Coney The Coney Island boardwalk is true Island’s most distinctive . It New York, not just for its legend, but was first installed at the New York for its here-and-now, quick-change World’s Fair of 1939-40 at Flushing . On a summer Meadows in Queens, then moved in weekend, the entire two-and-a-half 1941 to its present location. When it mile stretch is a crowded blur of was operating, riders were lifted by a good-natured pleasure seekers. The cable to the top then dropped, to float boardwalk’s varied qualities shine gently down to the ground. The forth best midweek or in the off- Parachute Jump ceased operating in season, when the crowds have 1964, and fell into disrepair. It recently thinned. The boardwalk’s one true underwent a $5 million refurbishment. and constant companion is the beach, While it no longer functions as a ride, a well-kept stretch of sand punctuated it remains an icon of Coney Island by several stone jetties and a history. . In fact, some might be tempted to skip the boardwalk and Steeplechase Pier juts out into the walk the entire length of the beach. ocean across from the West 16th Street . This is a popular spot for The boardwalk is quietest near its anglers and those who just want to get western terminus at West 37th Street. out over the . You’ll probably For beach and ocean lovers, this is the find the beach starting to become a bit place to come if you’re seeking a little more crowded here. more solitude, especially early in the morning or on a nippy winter day. Moving past the back end of Keyspan Park, you will arrive at the Coney Coney Island’s iconic Parachute Island of popular legend, a zone of

CONEY ISLAND 10 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System rambunctious amusements. Astroland families. For information, visit is the of the scene here. www.nyaquarium.com. Astroland was opened in 1962 and, as its name implies, many of the park’s Brighton Beach fronts the boardwalk original rides took their cue from the between Asser Levy/Seaside Park and era’s space program. These days Corbin Place. Today, Brighton Beach is you’re more likely to hear hip-hop a neighborhood of Russian émigrés; rather than doo-, but you can still some have called it Little , after ride smiling satellites and rockets to a in the Ukraine on the Black the moon. Astroland was recently pur- Sea. On a warm day, the boardwalk chased by a private developer and is here sports plenty of folks wearing anticipated to close at the end of the bathing suits and . But the 2007 or 2008 summer season. Want to boardwalk is also a European-style get up higher than anybody? Buy a promenade, the route of dressed up ticket to Deno’s Wonder Wheel, an folks walking arm in arm with shined immense Ferris wheel at the foot of and perfect hairdos. If you West 12th Street. appreciate the beauty of the ocean, but can do without gritty beach , The New York Aquarium at Coney this is the perfect destination. Island is the next stop along the Boardwalk cafés invite you to sit boardwalk. This is not a sideshow down and watch this go by attraction, but a world-class zoological while you enjoy a selection from the facility. The Aquarium covers 14 acres, Russian/English menu. is home to 350 species of aquatic wildlife, including penguins, sharks, Backtrack on the boardwalk to a stair- and seals, and is a terrific place for way known as Seabreeze Walk, which

Brighton Beach stand

CONEY ISLAND The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 11 Ocean Parkway

Length: 5.9 miles (one way) Estimated travel time: Biking—45 minutes; Walking—2 hours Attractions: Cemetery, residential neighborhoods of Manhattan Terrace, Ocean Parkway, Borough Park, and 2 Ditmas Park

Character: Sheltered historic parkway with cross at intersections.

Directions at a Glance Mile Starting at corner of 0.0 Start on Ocean Parkway where it meets Ocean Parkway and Surf Avenue Seabreeze Avenue. Head north on Ocean Parkway staying on the left, (western) side, of the parkway. 5.1 Follow Ocean Parkway to Church Avenue. Bicyclists must keep to the bike lane. 5.3 At southwest corner of Church Avenue, cross Ocean Parkway to eastern side. Cross Church Avenue to northeast corner, then cross service to bike/pedestrian . 5.7 Follow path as it curves towards the east. 5.75 Path ends. Cross East 8th Street. Turn left. 5.8 Turn right at Park Circle. Follow counter-clockwise to entrance of . 5.9 End at the park entrance.

Hand in Hand: Some moments are too good for .

OCEAN PARKWAY 12 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Subways

The F, Q and B (the B train does not operate on weekends) trains each make several stops on streets parallel to Ocean Parkway. (For the latest transit information, visit the MTA website at www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234). Where to Eat

Ocean Parkway is almost completely residential, however, you can find businesses, including neighborhood restaurants and grocery stores, on many of the intersecting streets. Neptune Avenue, and Avenues U, P, N, I, J, Kings , Ditmas Avenue, and Church Avenue are especially bustling. The Assyrian- Jewish at the corner of East 3rd Street and is a great place to shop for middle- eastern specialties. Avenue J is the spot for kosher restaurants and bak- eries. One of the best pizzerias in the city, DiFara’s Pizza, is located on Avenue J and East 15th Street. Public Restrooms

Public restrooms can be found: in Grady near Brighton 4th Road and Brighton ; in the Colonel David Marcus Memorial Playground near East 5th Street and Avenue P; in Field Park near East 4th Street and Avenue L; in Di Glio Playground near McDonald Avenue and Avenue F and at the Parade Grounds near Prospect Park.

OCEAN PARKWAY The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 13

Ocean Parkway on a summer day Area History In 1894, a strip of Ocean Parkway’s pedestrian lane became the country’s Conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted first bicycle path. Reportedly, so many and Calvert Vaux in 1866, Ocean bicyclists crowded the path on Parkway was to be one of the four opening day, the city was forced to legs of a parkway system radiating widen it. In 1983, the National Park out from Prospect Park. Only two of Service declared Ocean Parkway a the legs were built: Eastern Parkway National Scenic Landmark. Traveling and Ocean Parkway, finished in 1880. along Ocean Parkway is more about The parkways were inspired by the the pleasure of the whole route, rather of and , but than any particular "sights" along the leave it to Americans to make them way. It is about the trees and the grass wider and longer. that provide a green counterpoint to a hodge-podge of twentieth-century The Olmsted/Vaux parkways were New York buildings, from luxury designed to be both scenic and to substantial single- practical. The main , the family houses, plus a few , carriage drive, was originally con- schools, and other institutions. The ceived as a "shaded pleasure drive," architecture ranges from solid but now functions as a busy roadway. pre-war housing to con- Shaded, grassy malls buffer both sides temporary single-family residences. of the drive. Here’s where you’ll find Along the way are some surprising the bike and pedestrian paths and details, including the entrance to long rows of benches. Service 270 Ocean Parkway, which is pure line the outer edge of the parkway, 1960s Beach. providing safe access and .

OCEAN PARKWAY 14 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

It’s who make Ocean After a couple of blocks, the on- and Parkway interesting. On a busy off-ramps of the weekend day, you’ll encounter interrupt the flow of Ocean Parkway. hundreds. Typical users include Fortunately for bicyclists, the Orthodox Jewish families walking on authorized route is fairly well-signed. the Sabbath, Russian retirees reading Just remember to stay on the western Cyrillic-printed newspapers, and side of the parkway, and you’ll be many, many other walkers, bikers, fine. The eastern side is reserved for bladers, and sit-on-a-bench-and- pedestrians only. watch-the-world-go-byers. After the Belt Parkway, it’s a straight Trip Description shot through middle-class Brooklyn to Church Avenue, where the parkway Ocean Parkway starts a block away ends. A couple of worthwhile from the Coney Island boardwalk. The meanders will reveal both the contem- bike path runs along the western mall porary life in the neighborhoods of the parkway. Don’t let the trees and surrounding Ocean Parkway, as well the grass lull you into complacency at as the deep historical roots of intersections, however. making Brooklyn. right-hand turns off of Ocean Parkway can be unaware that bicy- Just north of Coney Island is a small clists and area whose grid system of streets is at pedestrians are crossing the street odd angles to the neighborhood alongside of them. So look twice, then around it. This is what remains of the look again. old town of Gravesend, a village founded in 1643 by a group of English

The Boardwalk near Ocean Parkway where this greenway segment begins.

OCEAN PARKWAY The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 15 settlers lead by Lady . way) ends abruptly at Church By all accounts, Lady Moody was Avenue. both cultured and fiercely independ- ent. She became female When you come to Church Avenue, grantee for land ownership in the cross Ocean Parkway to the right, and New World. Gravesend was the only make a left across Church Avenue. permanent settlement in early The path continues on Ocean America planned and directed by a Parkway, which becomes a service woman. The outlines of the original road at this point, running alongside village design are still easily dis- the Prospect Expressway. The bike cernible on the map: look for a large path ends near the pedestrian square set at a counter-angle to the at East 8th Street, but the service road surrounding grid. The square is continues to Park Circle. Follow Park bisected on each side, forming four Circle counter-clockwise to the smaller squares. The village grave- Prospect Park entrance (between the yard, perhaps the most visible rem- two horse statues, called the Horse nant of old Gravesend, sits at the out- Tamers). side corner of one of the smaller squares, at the of Van Sicklen Street and Village Road South. The graveyard is closed to the public, but you can peek in through the fence. To explore Gravesend, take a left on Avenue V.

Kings Highway crosses Ocean Parkway a block past Avenue R. Kings Highway is another exception to Brooklyn’s grid system, running roughly south to northeast. This was an old Native American path, then a farm road. During Revolution, British troops marched up Kings Highway, to present day East New York, to attack American forces.

Olmsted and Vaux designed Ocean Parkway to extend all the way to the entrance to Prospect Park but with the construction of the Prospect Expressway, a brain child of , Ocean Parkway (as a park-

OCEAN PARKWAY 16 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Prospect Park

Length: 1.6 miles for half loop, 3.2 miles for the entire park loop Estimated travel time: Biking—15 minutes; Walking—1 hour, 3 suggest 2-3 hours to explore. Attractions: Parade Ground, Prospect Lake, , Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park , Lefferts Homestead, , Bandshell, Third Street Playground, Battle Pass, Harmony Playground, Vale of Cashmere, House,

Character: Asphalt road throughout the park that is auto-free on weekends and non-rush hours.

Directions at a Glance Mile Starting at Park Circle 0.0 Follow Park Circle into Prospect Park, entrance to Prospect Park Parade Ground on your right. 0.1 Turn right onto South Lake Drive. Follow South Lake Drive towards . Veer right to park exit road. 1.6 End at Grand Army Plaza.

If you are traveling the Greenway from North to South, enter the Park at Grand Army Plaza, turn onto West Drive. Follow West Drive to the Park Circle exit.

Grand Army Plaza

PROSPECT PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 17

Subways Where to Eat

To get to Park Circle, take the F train There are several food kiosks within to Ft. Parkway or the Q to the park as well as Bird Cafe in Parkside Avenue. To get to Grand the Boathouse. Outside the park, Park Army Plaza take the 2 or 3. (For the Slope’s Seventh Avenue, Windsor latest information, visit the MTA web- Terrace’s Prospect Park West and site at www.mta.info or call have a wide variety 718-330-1234). of restaurants and several grocery stores.

PROSPECT PARK 18 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Prospect Park Boathouse Public Restrooms the south of their allocated parcels were available for purchase, and the Prospect Park has several public 526-acre outline of Prospect restrooms which are open daily from Park was born. The park was laid out 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restrooms can also be in 1866 and 1867. found within the ’s Central Library. The land had a significant Revolutionary War history. Look for Area History Battle Pass on the East Drive just north of the zoo (look for the plaque). This is Frederick Law Olmsted’s and Calvert the site of one of the major actions in Vaux’s first foray into New York City the Battle of Brooklyn, which was the was designing Manhattan’s Central first battle between the United Park in 1858. Then they took what and the British, following the they had learned and designed issuance of the Declaration of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Independence. At this spot on August 27, 1776, British forces overwhelmed Prospect Park takes its name from some 900 Americans under the com- Mount Prospect, which lies on the mand of Major- . other side of Flatbush Avenue from After surrendered, some the park. The borough fathers had 500 were killed by Scot Highlanders, originally intended Mount Prospect to German Hessians and English infantry be part of Prospect Park. But Calvert and cavalry. Vaux convinced them that Flatbush Avenue would be a marring For information on upcoming events disruption. Luckily, tracts of land to within Prospect Park, stop at any

PROSPECT PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 19 entrance sign where there are maps You will see the Parade Ground at and up-to-date program information, this location which has bathrooms, a visit the Prospect Park website at snackbar, tennis, basketball and vol- www.prospectpark.org, or contact the leyball courts and soccer and baseball Prospect Park Alliance at fields. 718-965-8999. After you pass Park Circle, you can’t On weekends and outside of rush miss the Peristyle, also known as the hour, Prospect Park is auto-free. Most , on your right. of your company will be huffing, Designed by McKim, Mead & White puffing joggers and serious racing in the neoclassical style with columns, bicyclists. Don’t use them as an the structure both shelters and example. Instead, experience the Park punctuates the landscape. at a leisurely pace, much as you would inside a horse-driven carriage Rounding another bend, you’ll be on on a no-rush Sunday afternoon. East Lake Drive which climbs steadily Open up your senses, and see the past Wollman Rink into the unfolding views as a series of Midwood section of the park. But panoramic pictures. don’t miss the Prospect Park Audubon Center, (www.prospect- Trip Description parkaudubon.org) housed in the Boathouse, which lies behind some trip description starts at trees just past Concert Grove. The Park Circle. center has exhibits and an idyllic along the tiny

In the shade of giants: A young tree near Prospect Lake survives and waits for an opening to the sky.

PROSPECT PARK 20 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

A family enjoys a day in at Prospect Park’s Long Meadow.

Lullwater Lake—well worth a stop. heart of the park’s wild forest. Take it slow and let the world pass you by. The is another You’ll be having a much better time. worthwhile stop for nature-lovers. Its To your left will be a steep wooded presence in the park is muted, but slope, the backside of the terminal you’ll notice its back boundary nes- moraine that forms the backbone of tled into the outer edge of the the park. Midwood. The Prospect Park Zoo is open all summer and spring week- Relief will be in sight as you reach the ends and has lots of great activities as northern end of the Long Meadow. well as a bathroom and snackbar. For You’ll still be climbing, but for not more information go to much longer. The Vale of Cashmere www.prospectparkzoo.com. will be to your right. This is an espe- cially and tranquil spot with its You’ll find the entrance to the zoo on lush flowering vegetation and flowing Flatbush Avenue if you take the park water . It gets its name from road exit by the Boathouse and then an epic poem in 1817 by Sir Thomas turn left. If you do this, you’ll pass Moore. If you wish, follow the path Lefferts Homestead, a restored Dutch down to an intricate series of formal Farmhouse built in 1777, and the . festive Carousel. The drive exits at Grand Army Plaza. Back on the drive in the park, you’ll After you get yourself to Grand Army really start to climb as you venture Plaza, look around a bit. This is one of further into the Midwood, the shady the grandest urban spaces in New

PROSPECT PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 21

Beautiful sunset at Prospect Park

York. The plaza is an oval. Its center- The first building you’ll encounter to piece is an 80-foot arch, designed by your left is the Picnic House, and then John H. Duncan, designer of Grant’s the Tennis House. A little further on to Tomb in Manhattan. Completed in your left you’ll see the Bandshell at 1892, the arch honors the Union forces 9th Street. This is the venue for in the with sculptures by Celebrate Brooklyn, a fabulous series Frederick McMonnies, who also of free performances held each designed the . The summer. Call 718-768-0855 or go to in the center, Bailey www.celebratebrooklyn.org. Fountain, recently restored, was com- pleted in 1932. The fountain features Rounding the bend past a complex of allegorical figures often interpreted as ballfields, you’ll be going downhill to Wisdom and Fertility. On Saturdays, Prospect Lake. Olmsted and Vaux this is the site of a lively farmers mar- took advantage of the original flat ket, where you can pick up a snack. farmland to hollow out this sparkling waterbody. If you are entering the park from Grand Army Plaza, turn right onto West Drive. The West Drive starts off nice and easy with the Long Meadow on your left. This segment is almost a mile long. Past the Tennis House, you’ll see the Pools, which mark the beginning of the park’s Ravine, which was restored between 1998 and 2000. Fall are reflected in the of Prospect Lake.

PROSPECT PARK 22 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Eastern Parkway

Length: 2.5 miles Estimated travel time: Biking—30 minutes; Walking—1.5 hours Attractions: Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library, , Brooklyn 4 Museum, Weeksville Historical Society, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, , McNair Park, Community Garden, historic neighborhoods of Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Wingate

Character: Sheltered historic parkway with cross- traffic at intersections.

Directions at a Glance Mile Starting at northern corner of 0.0 Begin in front of Prospect Park at Grand Prospect Park, at intersection of Army Plaza. Cross Flatbush Avenue Grand Army Plaza and to plaza in front of the Brooklyn Flatbush Avenue in front of Public Library’s Central Library. 0.1 Walk across plaza to Eastern Parkway. the Brooklyn Public Library Cross Eastern Parkway at Underhill, traveling around circle counter- clockwise 0.2 Turn right on service road. Multi-use path begins on between service road and main drive of parkway. 0.6 Cross Eastern Parkway at Avenue. Cross Washington Avenue to pedestrian/bike path through . 2.5 End at Buffalo Avenue.

Tropical Paradise: The space-age conservatory at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden provides relief from winter without the high airfares.

EASTERN PARKWAY The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 23

Subways Eastern Parkway follows the course of Pass, a low area between two Take the 2 or 3 to Grand Army Plaza. terminal moraines. A moraine is an Other subway lines are nearby. (For accumulation of boulders, stones, or the latest information, visit the MTA other debris carried and deposited by a website at www.mta.info or call glacier. The Parkway is a natural land 718-330-1234). route, the site of an historic Native American path. The British took this Where to Eat route in the summer of 1776 on their way to confront rebellious Americans You can find restaurants and grocery in what is now Prospect Park. stores along Nostrand, Kingston, and Utica Avenues. The Built between 1870 and 1874, it is the and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden also world’s first parkway, the testing contain eateries. ground for an idea that Olmsted and Vaux adopted from similar grand Public Restrooms boulevards in Paris and Berlin. Eastern Parkway, however, is much Public restrooms can be found in the longer than these and, instead of Brooklyn Public Library, Mount cutting through an already dense city, Prospect Park, , and was built through what was then a Lincoln Terrace Park. largely undeveloped countryside. Olmsted and Vaux envisioned a Area History pleasant carriage drive between two tree-lined pedestrian malls. Two serv- Any way you cut it, Eastern Parkway ice roads formed the outer edges of is an only-in-Brooklyn experience. It the route, facilitating delivery to the combines the nineteenth century luxurious residences that Olmsted grandeur of an Olmsted design with anticipated would line the route of the dizzying cultural diversity. parkway.

EASTERN PARKWAY 24 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Brooklyn stoops: These Crown Heights row houses boast a variety of window shapes and the omnipresent New York high steps to the parlor floor. With the turn of the century boom in zinging past you less than two feet Brooklyn’s population, the parkway’s away. The Parkway starts at the cen- character changed from a pleasant tral branch of the Brooklyn Public country drive to a major thoroughfare. Library. Then it continues through Crown Heights, a neighborhood Trip Description shared by two highly contrasting cul- tures: African/ and The marked bikeway begins at Washington Avenue, just past the Brooklyn Museum. If you’re on a bike, walk it up until that point. Don’t worry—there’s enough to see and do along this stretch that slowing down is well worth it. If you’re in a hurry, however, the best bike route to Washington Avenue is the center island along the north side of Eastern Parkway, which begins just past Underhill Avenue. Avoid biking on the central vehicular lane. Traffic with- in the roadway of the Parkway is crowded and speedy. Cars will be

This Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza attracts shoppers from all over Brooklyn.

EASTERN PARKWAY The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 25

Lubavitcher Jewish. side of the route by foot is recommended. Let’s start at Grand Army Plaza. First stop: the Central Library of the Mount Prospect Park is a pleasant Brooklyn Public Library little park that contains the second (www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org) highest point in Brooklyn. The park system, whose modernist façade faces features a brand new playground, the arch. You really owe it to yourself bathrooms and one of the lushest to step inside and admire the stone lawns in New York City. carvings over the entry. Once inside, you’ll pass through a wide hallway to Right next door you’ll find the north enter a light-filled atrium that, with entrance to the world-famous the removal of the paper card catalog, Brooklyn Botanic Garden now functions as a lively exhibition (www.bbg.org). Gardens are creatures space. The library has bike racks out of the seasons, and the Brooklyn front. Botanic Garden takes advantage of all four of them. This 52-acre facility is As you begin traveling up Eastern jam-packed with amazing features Parkway, you will see Mount Prospect including the Cranford Rose Garden Park on the south side, and, on the in early summer and the always - north side a row of large ly . Even in the buildings, at one time among the most depths of winter you might find a prestigious in Brooklyn. blooming witchhazel outdoors, or you Traveling along the southern, park- can visit the indoor Conservatory,

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

EASTERN PARKWAY 26 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Sukkah: Jewish custom requires dining in an open to the sky “desert hut” for eight days in autumn. which replicates desert, rainforest, and anchors the corner here. This is a very temperate habitats. The Brooklyn formal and dignified—yet leafy— Botanic Garden also has bathrooms park, a befitting memorial for the sec- and a café. ond African American to venture into space. The park is located within The adjacent Brooklyn Museum of Crown Heights where the West Indian Art is housed in a formidable Beaux parade takes place each year building. It is the second largest on Labor Day. Hundreds of thousands in New York City, which line the route to cheer on a colorful in a city of art , says a lot. Its of floats, steel drum bands Egyptian collection is and and dancers. And the Caribbean food terrifically displayed. The museum and craft stalls that line the service also contains bathrooms and a café as roads on that day would be a great well as a beautiful plaza for anyone to reason to come even if the parade was rest and enjoy. For current exhibits not happening. and events, visit their website at www.brooklynart.org. If you aren’t From here on, the buildings along the careful, you can spend the entire day Parkway become a mixture of middle- here. But you won’t want to miss the class family row houses and small rest of the parkway. apartment buildings. You’ll soon pass the Franklin Avenue Shuttle The bike lane begins at Washington Community Garden. In its modest Avenue on the south side of the way, this garden is an expression of Parkway. Dr. Ronald E. McNair Park the culture of the local community. A

EASTERN PARKWAY The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 27

Weeksville: A nineteenth century free black agricultural colony becomes a venue for the celebration of centric cultural life as the stilt-man “spirit” dances to a traditional drum band. team of expert gardeners concentrate Just a little bit before Brooklyn on growing the food that they grew Avenue, pedestrian traffic includes up farming and eating. more and more bearded men dressed in black suits, sporting fedoras. This is The Parkway bends at Bedford a sign that you’re entering the Avenue. Just a little past this Lubavitcher Hasidic area of Crown intersection, stop and look behind you Heights. The Lubavitcher community for a pleasant view of stately trees, is a branch of with solid buildings, and active people. historical roots in eastern . New York at her best. Because they are restricted from riding in automobiles or even The Brooklyn Children’s Museum on the Sabbath, the (www.bchildmus.org) is a wonderful Lubavitcher Hasidim live in close-knit side trip, especially if you’re traveling neighborhoods where they can walk with children. You’ll find it at the to temple, a practice that also creates a corner of St. Marks and Brooklyn strong sense of local community. Their Avenues, six blocks to the north of the world is at the busy Parkway. The museum complex incor- corner of Kingston Avenue. porates bits of recycled architecture, including a trolley kiosk from the The Parkway moves along to Lincoln and an immense Terrace Park. Eastern Parkway’s ups sewer pipe. But the creative exhibi- and downs are gradual, so you may tions are reason for going. find surprising the park’s initial steep slope—but remember, you are climb-

EASTERN PARKWAY 28 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Lubavitcher Headquarters at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue. ing a moraine. Many of the trees in headquartered. the park are magnificent. The high- light is a grand European-style allée Eastern Parkway ends two blocks lined with large Sycamores. The tennis past Rochester Avenue, near the courts on Buffalo Avenue are popular, intersection of Ralph Avenue. Eastern a good place to witness some Parkway Extension, which does not excellent back and forth. have sheltered malls, continues on from Ralph Avenue. Turn off Eastern You are now officially in the historic Parkway at Buffalo Avenue to start the community of Weeksville. This area next segment of the Greenway. was settled by free blacks in the late . It was one of the few places in New York in which black people could own property. The Parkway actually destroyed the character of the community by barging through the old streets and imposing a grid upon what had been a rambling village streetscape. The remnants of this community can be seen at 1698-1708 Bergen Street, between Buffalo and Rochester Avenues, where the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville (www.weeksvillesociety.org) is

EASTERN PARKWAY The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 29 Highland Park/ Ridgewood Reservoir

Length: 6.6 miles Estimated travel time: Biking—1 hour; Walking—3 hours Attractions: Highland Park, Ridgewood Reservoir, several historic cemeteries, neighborhoods of Brownsville, Ocean 5 Hill, and Highland Park Character: This leg starts out on fairly busy streets and includes a hefty climb. Lush Highland Park and a skirt around the edge of Ridgewood Reservoir are ample rewards to the perseverant.

Directions at a Glance Mile Start at Eastern Parkway and Buffalo 0.0 Travel south on Buffalo Avenue along Avenue, at the northeast corner of eastern edge of park. 0.2 Turn left on East New York Avenue. Lincoln Terrace Park 0.6 Continue forward on Pitkin Avenue. The garden cemetery movement of the nineteenth 0.7 Turn left on Street, then right at century led to the development of sculpture parks on East New York Avenue. of Brooklyn and Queens. 1.3 Right on Mother Gaston . 1.4 Left on Liberty Avenue. 2.2 Left on Street. 2.8 Right on Sunnyside Avenue. 2.9 Left on Miller Street (very steep). 3.0 Right on Highland Boulevard. 3.1 Left on Heath Place into Highland Park. Follow Greenway signs through park. 3.7 Cross Vermont Avenue to stairs leading up to around Ridgewood Reservoir. Turn right at trail. 4.3 Right at to Cypress Avenue. Turn right on Cypress Avenue. 4.4 Left at Cypress Hills Street (careful— and no traffic lights for pedestrians and bicyclists). 5.2 Turn right on Cooper Avenue. 6.0 Ease forward to 78th Avenue. 6.3 Turn right on . 6.5 Turn left on . 6.6 End at Myrtle Avenue opposite 79th Street. HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR 30 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 31

The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway trail adjacent to Ridgewood Reservoir Subways Area History

Take the 3 train to Sutter Avenue- This stretch is the longest so far of Rutland Road or the 3 or 4 to Crown unshielded, on-street walking and bik- Heights-. (For the latest ing. It also has the most sustained information, visit the MTA website at climbing, as you travel over the crest www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234.) of the . Highland Park is the reward. Straddling Where to Eat Brooklyn and Queens, Highland Park is situated on a high plateau that com- You’ll find restaurants and grocery mands dramatic views of nearby stores on and along cemeteries, East New York, Myrtle Avenue. Woodhaven, the Rockaways, and Ocean. The history of Public Restrooms Highland Park cannot be separated from the history of Ridgewood Public restrooms can be found in Reservoir, which operated from the Highland Park. 1860s until 1989.

Most New Yorkers are aware of the

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR 32 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Cypress Hills National Cemetery—Walkers pass an orderly Civil War grave field where Union and Confederate soldiers are buried side by side. extensive system of reservoirs in the the Department of Parks & Recreation Catskill that supply for development as public parkland. modern New York City. Less known is the fact that in the mid-1800s, the City In 1891, the City of Brooklyn of Brooklyn received its drinking purchased the land surrounding the water from an extensive system of reservoir for park purposes under the reservoirs, lakes, conduits, and jurisdiction of the Highland Park pumping stations in Long Island that Society. The park might have been eventually stretched as far as named Ridgewood Park. However, a Massapequa. Ridgewood functioned sprivate park operated at the time by as the main reservoir for Brooklyn, that name in Brooklyn, and the Parks working in tandem with the smaller Department feared that people would Mount Prospect Reservoir, which was get confused. Then in 1905, Parks located in what is now Mount extended the property to the south by Prospect Park, near the beginning of purchasing the Schenck estate, which the Eastern Parkway leg of the included a Dutch-style farmhouse that Brooklyn-Queens Greenway. was removed in 1940. Highland Park Ridgewood Reservoir has not been took its present shape in 1906-08, used since 1989; the last of its three when Parks acquired a third parcel to sections was drained in that year. the west from the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. Trees, shrubs, and other plants have taken root in the three basins, creating Trip Description a thriving young forest on the site of the former reservoir. The reservoir The beginning of this leg of the property was recently transferred to Greenway takes the traveler through

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 33 the vibrant neighborhoods of that stands at Brownsville and East New York, before Legion and Pitkin, which is no longer climbing the moraine into Highland in use as a cinema. Park. Traffic in spots can be heavy. Bicyclists new to city streets are Turn left on Legion Street, and then go encouraged to dismount and walk a short block to pick up East New their bikes on the if they’re York Avenue again, where you will feeling overwhelmed. The point of the turn right. Continue on East New Greenway is to slow down and have York Avenue to Mother Gaston fun, taking in the life of a perhaps Boulevard, where you’ll turn right. unfamiliar neighborhood, not to get Turn left on Liberty Avenue, which from point A to point B in the travels through an industrial area. quickest time. Turn left on Vermont Street, which will bring you back into a residential Travelling down the edge of Lincoln area. Vermont Streets starts to climb to Terrace Park, enjoy the line of stately Sunnyside Avenue, where you’ll turn sycamores along the park’s edge. Turn right. Turn left on Miller Street, where left on East New York Avenue, and you’ll really be asked to climb. Most follow it to where it merges with bicyclists may find it easier and safer Pitkin Avenue. Continue on Pitkin and to just walk up this block to Highland travel one block to Legion Street, Boulevard. Turn right, and be on the which forms the long end of a pleas- lookout on your left for Heath Place, ant triangle park. Notice the fine old which will lead you into Highland

Highland Park

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR 34 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

Park, where the Greenway again spectacular views over the Brookyn becomes green. flatlands. After a bit over half a mile, you’ll spot Avenue and The Greenway through the park is the ramp that will take you down exceptionally well marked. Highland to it. Park is a beautiful expanse of tree- filled green, well-used by the The trail around Ridgewood Reservoir community. It is short on architectural can feel somewhat isolated. Although pretensions, and long on trees, grass, the trail makes a complete loop and recreational amenities such as around the reservoir, turn left to baseball fields and basketball courts. It remain closer to street traffic. At the even has a community garden for far corner of the reservoir you’ll pass children, tucked in the park’s south- some abandoned buildings and then, west corner along . in quick succession, a stairway and then a ramp to Cypress Hills Street— The Greenway winds pleasantly take one, you pick. through the park until it reaches busy Vermont Avenue. Cross Vermont Turn right on Cypress Hills Avenue, Avenue (take your time!) and walk up and then left when you come to the steps to the trail around Cypress Hills Street. Frankly, this is Ridgewood Reservoir. By the way, one of the most confusing turns on the you have left Brooklyn and are now in Greenway—there is no elegant way to Queens. do it. You may want to backtrack up Cypress Hills Street to the pedestrian Turn right on the trail around the lights if traffic is too heavy. But even reservoir, and get ready for some these crossings aren’t complete.

Ridgewood Reservoir

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 35

Attached houses line a hillside as the Greenway heads to Highland Park.

Ultimately, you want to be heading be nicking a corner of Cypress Hills downhill, towards the -green Cemetery (718-277-2900), where Jackie copper dome of what is the Robinson and are buried. At Hungarian Benevolent Society the intersection of 78th Avenue, Cooper Building. Once you’re on your way Avenue turns abruptly left, towards though, the downhill run is a fitting the north. Do not follow Cooper reward for whatever frustration you Avenue. Continue straight ahead may have experienced coming uphill. along 78th Avenue. Follow 78th Avenue On your left you will pass the Beth El to 79th Street and turn right. Go a cou- Cemetery, where is ple of short blocks to 79th Lane, oppo- buried. site the end of which you’ll see the entrance to Forest Park, which is the Turn right on Cooper Avenue. Just next leg of our journey. before Cooper Avenue jogs left you’ll

HIGHLAND PARK AND RIDGEWOOD RESERVOIR 36 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Forest Park

Length: 3.5 miles Estimated travel time: Biking—45 minutes; walking—2 hours Attractions: Forest Park, which includes Seuffert Bandshell, , hiking trails, the Pine Grove, and , 6 Forest Hills Gardens (side trip) Character: Protected park trails and low-traffic park roads. Forest is auto-free between Woodhaven Boulevard and Avenue.

Directions at a Glance Mile Starting at Myrtle Avenue entrance 0.0 Follow marked trail around basketball to the park, across from 79th Lane court, bocce court and playground, then through a . The trail skirts the edge of the Forest Park Golf Course. 0.6 Trail runs into roadway to Parkway. Do not try to cross this road—it is a blind curve and cars are going very fast and not looking for pedestrians. Instead, turn left on walkway and continue on to intersection of Forest Park Drive. 0.7 Turn left, following signs for Seuffert Bandshell and Forest Park Golf Course. 1.6 Cross Woodhaven Boulevard. 2.0 Cross Myrtle Avenue. 3.2 Cross . 3.5 End at Forest Park Drive and .

A tranquil Forest Park walk

FOREST PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 37

FOREST PARK 38 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System Subways jostling. It was originally purchased by Brooklyn, parcel by parcel, The J and Z (Z line rush hours only, between the years 1895 and 1898, in no weekends) lines roughly parallel the days when it was a forward- Forest Park through the Queens thinking and Queens neighborhood of Woodhaven. The was still a loose amalgam of farming Woodhaven Boulevard stop offers villages. The land, part of the termi- an uncomplicated route to Forest nal moraine ridge line, is sloping. Park and our . (For the Not useful for farming, it was seen latest information, visit the MTA as a recreational resource for out- website at www.mta.info or call doors- Brooklynites. After 718-330-1234). the incorporation of Queens into greater New York City in 1898, the land was designated and preserved Where to Eat as part of the Queens park system.

There are a number of eateries on While you’re here, take a good look Metropolitan Avenue. at the park’s topography and vegetation. It preserves distinctive Public Restrooms glacial features: hole ponds, knobby hilltops (kettles and knobs), There are restrooms in Forest Park and “erratic” boulders. The forest is at the Myrtle Avenue entrance, the still largely native red and black visitor center on Woodhaven oak. Many of the trees are over 150 Boulevard and Forest Park Drive, years old. Victory Field on Woodhaven Boulevard and near the Overlook. The neighborhoods surrounding the Area History park—Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills— make wonderful sidetrips. The Forest Park is one of the most grand Victorian houses of north pristine parks in New York City. Richmond Hill are especially worth Forest Park Drive was designed by seeking out. of Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1890’s. Of the park’s 543 Trip Description acres, 411 are woodland. The rest of the park includes a golf course, The Greenway through Forest Park ballfields, tennis courts, a bandshell, is well-marked. You’ll follow the and even a carousel. This is a park bike route as it curves around the that you could spend the day buildings and playing fields, exploring. through a tunnel, and then out near the Forest Park Golf Course. The The history of this park is an forest is well managed; you’ll interesting example of inter-borough

FOREST PARK The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 39

Shingle roofed pre-war homes along a tree lined boulevard at the edge of Forest Park experience a refreshing variety of can’t see you until it’s too late to indigenous plants, including stop. Do not try to cross this road. viburnums, ferns, and even—in Instead, turn left on the walkway season—ephemeral forest floor and follow it a short distance until wildflowers. the roadway forks with Forest Park Drive. Take the left fork, following You enter the park near a bocce the signs indicating Forest Park Golf court, which is just past the basket- Course and Seuffert Bandshell. ball court. Bocce is an Italian game Traffic is light through here, and that resembles a kind of leisurely there is a designated bike lane. So lawn mixed with shuffle- take it slow and enjoy the forest. board. If a game is in progress, you You’ll soon spot Seuffert Bandshell owe it to yourself to stop and watch near Woodhaven Boulevard. Seuffert a European tradition still being is a true Queens institution. The passed on through a cohesive Italian facilities have gone through several community. You’ll find a restroom in incarnations, the most recent the park building next to the bocce upgrade being completed in 2000. courts. During the warmer months, it’s a venue for a wide variety of music. After a leisurely tour around the golf course, you’ll bump up against The Forest Park Carousel presides some barriers. The curving just up the hill from the bandshell. road on the other side leads up to The carousel’s fancifully and the . The intricately carved animals, created automobiles are traveling fast and in 1903, are the work of Daniel

FOREST PARK 40 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Muller, who created twelve in his . This is one of the only two that have survived.

At some point you might want to dismount and follow one of the side paths (no bike riding allowed) for an even more intimate experience of the forest. Forest Park is known as a hiker’s park for good reason. Just before you cross Woodhaven Boulevard, you may want to stop and experience the PFC Laurence Strack Pond is home to a three-acre freshwater wet- Strack Pond on foot. Strack Pond is land habitat. It’s a great spot for bird and nature lovers to enjoy the kettle pond’s . a beautiful kettle pond teeming with life including plants, salamanders, For more extensive hiking through frogs and other species. this 165-acre oak forest, take one of This pond provides nature lovers the three marked trails that all begin with a great spot to see butterflies, along the East Main Drive. The Blue red-tailed hawks, and great blue Trail starts next to the LIRR over- herons. Visitors can enjoy the pass and is a 1.7-mile loop. The 2.4- pond’s trail and viewing area while mile Trail can be picked up listening to the calls of the Tufted opposite the Pine Grove and takes Titmouse, the Oriole, and you along the forest’s perimeter. The the Kingbird. Yellow Trail, designated a Millennium Trail in 2000, is located After you cross Woodhaven, the near Metropolitan Avenue, and is hiking opportunities multiply. East one mile. Both the Blue and Yellow Main Drive, closed to traffic, is a Trails have interpretive signs and special stretch of the Greenway. maps. Keep your eye out for the Pine Grove. This is an expanse of ever- Shortly after crossing Metropolitan green pine trees which was planted Avenue you’ll spot the Overlook. in 1914 after a tree blight devastated This is the Queens Park thousands od chestnut trees. The Headquarters. While here ground is soft and fragrant drom all is now blocked by trees and the fallen pine needles. The canopy buildings, it’s still a good spot to is evergreen and softly rustling. In stop and loll on the grass to collect 1923, an additional 70 pine trees your energy before heading off into were planted on either side of the a more trafficked part of the drive, one for each Richmond Hill Greenway. or Woodhaven casualty of .

FOREST PARK The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 41

Side Trip: Park Lane. Cross the highway on Forest Hills Gardens Markwood Place into Forest Hills This sidetrip takes you though Gardens. Note: At this point, please Forest Hills Gardens, a landmark in walk your bike. This is a one-way urban planning. route into a private residential commu- nity. The streets here are not public. If Forest Hills Gardens is a 175-acre you want to preserve access for the planned community designed by future, please be on your best behavior. Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (landscape architect) and Grosvenor Atterbury Follow Markwood Place to Greenway (architect). Inspired by Ebenezer North, which is the road that circles Howard’s , the Forest Hill Gardens. Greenway North development was supposed to have turns into Greenway South at been a model for middle-income Greenway Terrace. Stop and take it all communities, providing a taste of in. Greenway Terrace is a brick-paved pre-industrial building and evocation of a European . countryside for people toiling away in The Long Island Railroad station is a the city. Halfway through the particularly fine example of Tudor- development, however, a residents’ style building. organization took over and installed a series of restrictive covenants, turning Cross the square and exit under the the development into an upper- LIRR tracks, turning right onto income community. Ironically, these Continental Avenue. same restrictive covenants may have preserved the character of the area. Cross . Here Today, this is a neighborhood of Continental Avenue ends, and you are magnificent Tudor-style homes, lush at the corner of 70th Road. Continue greenery and stately trees. down 70th Road to 112th Street. Turn right on Jewel Avenue. Jewel Avenue To get there, take this route: is one of the more challenging blocks On leaving Forest Park, turn left on of the Greenway, with heavy traffic and a highway entrance speeding cars up even more. Ride carefully here.

Jewel Avenue turns into 69th Road. After it crosses the (where you have a good view of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park), cross 69th Road at the on the corner, then backtrack slightly on foot to the marked paved

Forest Hills Gardens was designed as an path into Flushing Meadows Corona idealized tudor village with green spaces. Park.

FOREST PARK 42 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Flushing Meadows- Corona Park

Length: 5.2 miles Estimated travel time: Biking—1 hour; walking—3 hours Attractions: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, , , 7 Ederle Terrace, , of Art, Hall of Science, neighborhoods of Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Briarwood Historic Flushing (side trip)

Character: A combination of on-street traveling and sheltered park route.

Directions at a Glance Start at Park Lane and Forest Park Drive

Mile See also inset map. Mile 0.0 Turn right onto Park Lane. 3.0 Cross left on Jewel Avenue as it crosses 0.1 Left on Onslow Place, then short right Flushing Meadows Corona Park. on Grenfell Street, then immediately 3.2 Turn right onto trail alongside turn left onto 82nd Avenue. Meadow Lake. Follow trail around 0.5 Right on Kew Gardens Road. southern edge of lake (right side). 0.6 Left onto 83rd Avenue. 4.2 Exit trail before it curves to the left 0.8 At 134th Street, travel straight ahead around of Meadow Lake. on Hoover Avenue. Pass Maple 4.3 Cross heading towards Grove Cemetery on your right. small, slightly arched bridge that 1.3 Left on . crosses tiny Flushing . Follow 1.8 Left on 77th Road. on marked trail that roughly follows 2.0 Right on 141st Street. the river. 2.1 Left on 77th Avenue. 5.1 After crossing under the Long Island 2.3 Right on Park Drive East. Expressway, turn right at Meridian Road. Follow Meridian Road to Fowler Path. Turn right onto Fowler Path, past Lawrence Playground to the Park exit on Point Boulevard.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 43

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 44 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Subways

The E, F, G and R get you close to the southern and middle part of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Take the E or F train to Union Turnpike/Kew Gardens and travel south to pick up the route at Kew Gardens Road and 83rd Avenue.

The 7 train runs along the northern Greenway alongside Meadow Lake end of the Park, with stops at 111th Area History Street, , and in down- town Flushing. (For the latest This segment of the Greenway information, visit the MTA website at explores Flushing Meadows-Corona www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234). Park, one of the great examples of urban . The area Where to Eat started out as a vast marsh. A is a low coastal grassland that Ederle Terrace is home to a New York is covered periodically by the rising City institution, Nosh, or save tide. Salt marshes are found on the your appetite for the many ethnic edges of , places where a stores and restaurants in Flushing, river flows into the ocean. The which is 10 minutes away from the predominant plant species is Spartina, end of the route. You can also find a tough grass that excretes salt, and restaurants and food stores along thus is adapted to the edge between Queens Boulevard and Austin Street. the land and the sea. While eaten by very few creatures, Spartina shelters a Public Restrooms rich array of life. Before , Flushing and the other salt marshes Public restrooms can be found in that rimmed the served New Flushing Meadows Corona Park near York City well. Salt hay was harvested Ederle Terrace, the Paserelle Plaza, for the market gardens, where it was the Queens Zoo and several other used as a winter mulch. locations.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 45 Inset map

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 46 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

But by the end of the nineteenth promenade, to enjoy the sounds of a century, the biological richness of summer concert, to visit one of the Flushing Meadows was eschewed for park’s outstanding cultural institu- the convenience of having a nearby tions, or simply to relax in a beautiful dump. By the 1920s, trainloads of garden. The many recreational playing garbage arrived daily from Brooklyn, fields and in the park are including carloads of still smoldering used for activities that reflect the vast furnace ashes. The surreal, smoking ethnic mix of Queens; soccer and landscaped earned the area the name are especially popular. “the Valley of the Ashes” in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, . Presiding at the center of the fair site, the Unisphere is awe-inspiring. This In an early case of environmental twelve-story iconic monument of the restoration, the land was painstaking- represents Queens like nothing ly reclaimed. In the 1930s, Robert else. Even though you've probably Moses, who was the Parks seen hundreds of images of this work, Commissioner at the time, directed nothing prepares you for the sheer the relocation of over 50 million cubic enormity of it. The Unisphere was tons of garbage. The dump was built in 1963 out of 350 tons of steel transformed into a showpiece site for for the 1964 fair. Not surprisingly, the both the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs. U.S. Steel Corporation was the Today, the park is the cultural and Unisphere's sponsor. sporting heart of Queens. The park houses four other leading This park is used every day by people cultural and educational institutions. from the entire region. People come to The active Queens Museum of Art play, stroll along the Flushing (www.queensmuseum.org) is housed

The Unisphere stands behind a walking tour in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 47

The Science Playground at the in the former New York City Building, City’s only museum dedicated to built for the 1939 World’s Fair. The hands-on, interactive science and tech- museum features both forward-look- nology exhibitions and education. The ing art and a fascinating panoramic permanent exhibitions include the The model of New York City, showing all Search for Life Beyond Earth and The of our , parks and and Sports Challenge. more than 800,000 teeny-tiny build- ings. The Queens Theatre in the Park The northern end of the park is a (www.queenstheatre.org), dedicated center of world-class sports facilities, to the performing arts, is due south of including both the USTA Billie Jean the museum. You'll find the Queens King National Tennis Center, home Zoo and the New York Hall of to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, Science on 111th street, on the other and Shea Stadium (soon to be rede- side of the Grand Central Parkway. veloped as stadium), home to the , as well as the The Queens Zoo new state-of-the-art pool and , (www.queenszoo.com) is managed by which is scheduled to open in 2007 as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the largest recreational facility in a devoted to the critters and habitats of . Shea Stadium has gone . Architecture and 60's down in legend as the buffs take note of the , venue for the Beatles concert in now used as an aviary, which was August 1965 that was the first stadium designed by Buckminster Fuller. The rock show in history. New York Hall of Science (www.nyhallsci.org) is New York

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 48 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Trip Description gardens, and perhaps the Queens Museum of Art, the Queens Zoo, or You have a short but complex hop to the Hall of Science. the beginning of Flushing Meadows- Corona Park (see inset map, page 45). After you’ve had your fill of The route takes you past the Queens exploring, get back on the Greenway and through by finding the road that parallels the some lovely, leafy areas, including the along Meridian Road pleasant, middle-class neighborhoods (the Park service road). Watch for a of Kew Gardens and Kew Garden Park sign for Fowler Path. Turn right Hills. The stretch of 83rd Avenue to onto Fowler Path, past Lawrence Hoover Avenue borders Maple Grove Playground, which will take you out Cemetery. Maple Grove was estab- of the Park to College Point lished in 1875. It is still in use and is Boulevard. well tended. While you're on 83rd Avenue, as you cross Queens Side Trip - Boulevard you see Queens Borough Historic Flushing Hall and the Queens Court Building, Directions at a Glance: two pleasant modernist buildings. Mile Once you're in Flushing Meadows- 0.0 Starting at College Point Boulevard outside Flushing Meadows-Corona Corona Park, you’ll be making your Park. Turn left onto College Point way northwards towards the site of Boulevard. both the 1939 and 1964 World’s fairs. 0.2 Turn right on 41st Road. 0.4 Turn left on Main Street. It may be preferable to stay on the 0.5 Turn right on 41st Avenue. path bordering the lake, but beware, it 0.8 Turn left on Bowne Street. st can get muddy after heavy rain. This 0.9 Just past Bowne House at 37 Street, turn right into Margaret Carman Green is a great park for both bird and peo- Continue through Margaret Carman ple watching. The lake is a popular Green onto 37th Street (to see spot for all kinds of aquatic fowl, and Park). especially during the spring and 1.0 Backtrack through Margaret Carman autumn migration seasons. The Green and turn right onto Bowne Street. terrain here is large grassy fields 1.1 Turn left on Northern Boulevard. 1.2 Turn right on Leavitt Street to around substantial Meadow Lake. 137th Street. 1.3 Backtrack on Leavitt one short block and The action picks up at the end of right onto 35th Place. 1.4 Left on Linden Place. Meadow Lake. Follow the Greenway 1.5 Cross Northern Boulevard and go right signs that direct you underneath the past Main Street. Long Island Expressway into the 1.7 Turn left on Prince Street. 1.9 Turn left on 38th Avenue. World’s Fair site. Spend some time 2.0 Turn right on Main Street. exploring this fascinating corner of the 2.2 End at Roosevelt Avenue and city, taking in the Unisphere, a varied Main Street, at subway stop for #7 line. assortment of statues and pocket

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 49

This side trip takes you into the old commercial and political force. town of Flushing, providing a glimpse Francis , a Quaker and both into its long and important Flushing landowner, was a signer of history and its rich cultural present. the Declaration of Independence.

The route traces some of this history. Trip Description Once you’re there, you’ll find a com- pelling array of other historical build- Starting at College Point Boulevard ings, houses of worship, stores and outside of Flushing Meadows-Corona restaurants, and bustling sidestreets. Park, travel north to 41st Road, making a right turn to Main Street. Foot and A new historical trail system with vehicular traffic are quite heavy in the signs highlighting historically signifi- area; cyclists may want to walk bikes cant sights within downtoen Flushing, and enjoy the hustle, bustle, and including the Bowne House, The history. Lewis H. Latimer House, Kingsland Homestead, The Weeping Beech Turn right onto 41st Avenue and left Tree, and Margaret Carman Green onto Bowne Street. The John Bowne was completed in 2007. House is at 37-01 Bowne Street. The kitchen wing, built in 1661, was the Flushing held a reputation for controversial meeting spot. This is religious almost from its also the oldest surviving structure in founding. In 1657 Governor Petrus Queens. The Bowne House is owned Stuyvesant declared the Dutch and operated by the Bowne House Reformed Church the official Historical Society (www.bowne- of the colony. A group of house.org) and is a member of the seventeenth century , the of New York common name for members of the City (www.historichousetrust.org). Religious Society of Friends, replied Just past Bowne House, turn right into to Stuyvesant with a document Margaret Carman Green. Situated in entitled the , Weeping Beech Park, this plot was which is considered the first decla- named after Margaret I. Carman, a ration of religious freedom in Flushing native who devoted many American history. Stuyvesant jailed years to preserving Flushing’s history. the leading signers, and in 1662 Her efforts resulted in the opening of exiled John Bowne, whose house the Flushing Freedom Trail; the 1.3- was used for Quaker meetings. The mile trail stops along historical sites, Dutch West company allowed many of which are associated with the Bowne to return, carrying orders to underground railroad that lead south- Stuyvesant to cease his persecution, ern slaves to freedom. After her thus codifying a certain of reli- in 1976 this tree-lined square of gious freedom, at least in New York. Weeping Beech Park was named in The Quakers became an important

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 50 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Fountain of the Fairs

Historic Flushing

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 51 her memory. The green is landscaped the corner of Leavitt and 137th Street. with willow . Born the son of runaway slaves from , Latimer educated himself in Continuing through the Green to 37th the craft of drafting. Besides being the Avenue, Kingsland Homestead is on draftsman on Thomas Edison’s the left. This Dutch-style house was team, was a brilliant inventor - built by Charles Doughty, a Quaker self, coming up with the carbon fila- farmer, in 1774. It reflects the relative- ment for the electrical light bulb. He ly greater prosperity of the colony also drew up the original drawings for after a century of development. Graham Bell’s . Kingsland Homestead is owned and This was his house, but not at its orig- operated by the Queens Historical inal location—it used to be on Holly Society (www.queenshistoricalsoci- Avenue in Flushing. The house is ety.org) and is a member of the owned by the City of New York, oper- Historic House Trust of New York City. ated by the Lewis H. Latimer Fund and is a member of the Historic House Just past Kingsland Homestead is the Trust of New York City. site of the Weeping Beech Tree, one of two living NYC until its Backtracking on Leavitt Street one death in 1998. The Weeping Beech short block to 35th Avenue, turn right Tree was planted in 1847 by Samuel to Linden Place and left to Northern Bowne Parsons, owner of one of Boulevard. On the corner is Flushing Flushing’s large plant nurseries. The Town Hall shoot was acquired in . All (www.flushingtownhall.org), erected weeping beech trees in the United in 1864, the Romanesque Revival style States are descended from this one. building is run by the non-profit Though it died and was cut down in Flushing Council on Culture and the 1998, its daughters are still found Arts. It is home to exhibits, special fronting its remains here in Weeping events, opera, and theater. It has Beech Park. long been a center of community life; Backtracking through Margaret entry to the building is free during Carman Green, turn right onto Bowne normal business hours. Street where you will find George Fox Stone just before Northern Boulevard. Cross Northern Boulevard to the This boulder was named after George . Liberated Fox, the founder of the Society of from having to meet in secret in their Friends, who came to North America homes, the Quakers were finally able in 1672 and preached here under a to build a place for open congregation. stand of oak trees. A portion of this austere structure was Turn left on Northern Boulevard. Turn built in 1694, making it the oldest right onto Leavitt Street to visit the building in continuous use for reli- Lewis H. Latimer House, which is at gious purposes in New York City.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 52 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

Flushing Town Hall reminds passersby that the plaza has a deep history.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 53

Continuing along Northern Boulevard first national Commissioner of the Boy to Main Street is Scouts of America. The square was Square. An 1841 map of the town of dedicated in his honor in 1942. After Flushing shows the site of Daniel the Square, turn left onto Prince Street, Carter Beard Memorial Square the site of William Prince Nurseries, (known as Flushing Park until 1942) established in Flushing in 1737, one of as a public park, which makes the the first commercial nurseries in square one of the oldest parks in America. Queens. Daniel Carter Beard was a resident of Flushing, a civil engineer Turn left on 38th Avenue, passing the and an internationally known artist. grand old St. George’s Episcopal He illustrated ’s Church just before you reach Main in King Arthur’s Street. Turn right to find the 7 train Court. Beard is probably best remem- subway stop at Roosevelt Avenue. bered in Flushing as a founder and

A collage of color and texture is created by the retail signage in Flushing’s tightly packed business district.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK 54 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Kissena- Cunningham Corridor

Length: 5 miles Estimated Travel time: Biking—45 minutes; walking—2 hours Attractions: Kissena Corridor Park, Queens , , 8 Kissena Park Historic Grove, Kissena Park Velodrome

Character: Mixed residential streets and sheltered park trails. Directions at a Glance Starting at College Point Boulevard and Fowler Path (next to Lawrence Playground)

Mile Mile 0.0 Turn right on College Point Boulevard. 2.7 Trail veers right and leaves street at and left on Booth Memorial Avenue 170th Street, skirting edge of Kissena using the crosswalks for safety at this Park Golf Course. busy intersection. 2.8 Cross Fresh Meadow Lane. 0.4 Turn left on 137th Street. 2.9 At , dismount. On 0.5 Turn right on 56th Avenue. Cross Main , turn left, walk about 50 Street and continue to end. yards to Underhill, then turn right to 0.7 Right on 142nd Street. cross Utopia. Remount, then 0.9 Turn left on 56th Road. continue forward on Underhill. 1.3 Turn left at 150th Street. Trail enters 3.2 Cross 188th Street. Kissena Corridor near end of 3.6 Cross 58th Avenue. 150th Street. 3.7 At 196th Street, trail veers right to 1.2 Follow trail around ball courts to Peck bridge over Long Island Expressway. Avenue and 151st Street. At end of bridge, trail enters 1.4 Continue forward on Peck Avenue. , passing through 1.6 Just before , trail Saint Francis Preparatory School and veers left kitty-corner from the 153rd Public School 179 facilities. Street sign. Cross Kissena Boulevard 4.0 Just before Boulevard, to corner of Rose Avenue and Kissena trail hooks right back towards Boulevard. Follow marked trail into 199th Street. Kissena Park. 4.2 Trail enters wooded corridor 2.3 Cross 164th Street to Underhill following 199th Street. Avenue. Continue forward on 4.5 Bridge over 73rd Avenue. Underhill Avenue. 4.8 Bridge over 5.0 Trail ends at ballfields.

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 55 Subways

Subway coverage is sparse in this area of Queens. The Flushing-Main Street stop on the 7 line is near the begin- ning of this segment. For your return trip, you can either back-, or con- tinue on to the next leg of the green- way to , and return via the Long Island Railroad. Be fore- warned: You will need a permit to bring your bike on the LIRR. The MTA's website has permit applica- tions that you can mail in, or you can acquire a permit at Grand Central or Penn Stations. (For the latest informa- tion, visit the MTA website at www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234).

Where to Eat

There are restaurants along the Long Island Expressway service road near 188th Street in Fresh Meadows and Francis Lewis Boulevard.

Public Restrooms

Public restrooms can be found in the and Kissena Park (in the Kissena Boathouse near Oak Avenue and West 164th Street and at the tennis courts near Rose Avenue and Bowne Street).

Area History York City, evidence of the agricultural history of Queens, and vivid This segment of the greenway encounters with the diverse explores the historic township of immigrant communities that make up Flushing, providing a broad perspec- Queens. tive of the history of Queens. It includes some of the oldest and most Towards the end of the Flushing significant historic buildings in New Meadows segment, the greenway

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR 56 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

roughly follows the channelized rem- nursery near Kissena Lake. He even nant of the Flushing River. By seven- built a road, now known as Parsons teenth century standards, the Boulevard, to lead customers to his Flushing River was navigable, making establishment. Samuel satisfied the the colonial town of Flushing a minor eclectic and exotic horticultural tastes port serving the farmsteads of the sur- of the Victorian era and introduced rounding region. The town was many new plants into the , founded in 1642 by a colony from the including the still popular Japanese Dutch city of —in Dutch, maples. When he died in 1906, the ‘v’ is pronounced similarly to ‘f’ in city purchased the land of his nursery English. The town was officially char- and combined it with several other tered in 1645. parcels to form Kissena Park. In 1981, a group of summer interns happened Almost from the beginning, specialty upon an unusually diverse collection farming was an important part of the of trees near Rose Avenue and economy of Flushing. Possibly the . A survey of the first commercial nursery in the United species found nearly 100 separate States was established in 1735 by the species of trees, including many rari- Prince family. Leave it to the British— ties. This 14-acre plot is now known during the Revolutionary War, the as the Historic Grove. British chopped down 3,000 cherry trees to make supports for hop vines, Two other recent renovations have used in brewing beer. George spiffed up Kissena Park. Historically, Washington visited the nursery in Kissena Lake was a natural pond. In 1789, as part of a presidential tour of the 1930s, it was drained and lined Long Island. The site of the nursery is with concrete, making it a “bathtub located just south of Northern lake.” Over the years, it became Boulevard, between Prince Street and choked with algae and phragmites, an Flushing Creek. The site is completely invasive weed. A recently completed built over and no trace of the nursery renovation has left the lake sparkling, remains. with a new aeration system, a natural edge leading to the lake, and a pro- You can still find traces of the large tected island for turtles and water nineteenth century nursery fowl. founded by the brothers Samuel Bowne Parsons and Robert Brown Just south of the lake you'll find the Parsons, descendants of one of the Kissena Park Velodrome, or bicycle oldest and most socially prominent track. This 400-meter, banked asphalt families in Flushing. Their nursery track was originally built in 1962 for provided many of the trees used by the Olympic trials. It fell into Olmsted and Vaux in disrepair, but a major renovation and Prospect Park. In the mid-1870s, completed in 2004 reaffirmed its sta- opened a new tus as the robust hub of New York

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 57

Shaded playgrounds and ball fields are an Underhill Playground feature.

City's bicycle-racing community. Bangladesh, India, and . Of course, all of these countries have As you travel through any part of very different . Flushing is a Queens, but especially the Flushing vital residential, cultural, and com- area, you cannot help but be struck mercial center for all these groups. by the borough's rich ethnic diversity. Approximately 140 different Trip Description: languages are spoken in Queens. Flushing, perhaps the oldest part of Most of this stretch of the Greenway is Queens, is home to some of its newest everything that a greenway should immigrant groups. In 1965, be: an extended corridor for laws changed to allow pedestrians and bicyclists shielded by more immigration from non-European green and lively parks. At one end is countries. According to the 2000 the superb Queens Botanical Garden; Census, the overall population in at the other, the start of the Vanderbilt Queens increased since 1990 from 1.95 Motor Parkway, which is now a million to 2.22 million people, with 46 protected trail traveling through a percent of those people foreign-born. wooded corridor. The number of Asians increased from 229,830 to 390,164—an almost 70% You come out of Flushing Meadows increase. Today, more than one out of Corona Park on College Point four residents of Flushing is of Asian Boulevard. When you reach College descent, from countries such as , Point Boulevard, you'll be facing the Korea, , the Philippines, Queens Botanical Garden. If you

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR 58 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System want to visit, cross College Point fic by staying on Booth Memorial Boulevard to Avenue, then Avenue, turning left at 137th Street. At follow the perimeter of the garden to 56th Avenue, turn right; after you cross the main entrance on Main Street near Main Street, you’ll be on the edge of Dahlia Avenue. The Queens Botanical Kissena Corridor Park. Follow 56th Garden is a gem, a botanical garden Avenue to 142nd Street. Turn right onto that takes seriously its relationship to 142nd Street and left onto 56th Road to the diverse cultures and needs of 150th Street. Queens residents. For more informa- tion on hours of operation and Gardeners and appreciators of Asian upcoming events go to vegetables will want to make a short www.queensbotanical.org or call sidetrip to visit a vast community 718-886-3800. garden mostly worked by people of Korean descent. The garden is Backtracking to College Point noteworthy not only for its scale, but Boulevard, turn right, then make a left also for the interesting techniques and on Booth Memorial Avenue. You’ll be vegetables employed by the garden- climbing steeply. Walkers may want to ers. To find it, turn left at 146th Street, follow the perimeter of the botanical then left again at Colden Street, which garden along , then Elder follows the northeastern edge of the and Peck Avenues, then right to Kissena Corridor Park. You’ll find the 56th Avenue. gardens between Laburum and Juniper Avenues, appropriately, across Bicyclists—keep with the flow of traf- from Rachel L. Carson Intermediate

Beautiful stone work can be found in Kissena Park.

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 59

The sonic playground in Underhill Playground

School. Backtrack to Booth Memorial Kissena Park Environmental Center Avenue to get back on the Greenway. and the Historic Grove.

At 150th Street, the Greenway turns The route exits the park at 164th Street left, into Kissena Corridor Park—look and Underhill Avenue. Follow for the tell-tale greenway markers as Underhill Avenue until it ends at 170th well as large wooden posts painted Street. Bear right onto a trail that brown. The trail wraps around the far travels alongside the Kissena Park end of the ball courts to meet up with Golf Course. Peck Avenue. Follow Peck Avenue until just before it stops at Kissena The protected section of the trail ends Boulevard. You’ll notice the trail veers at Utopia Parkway. If you’re on a bike, slightly to the left, providing a safe dismount and, staying on the side- crossing to the corner of Rose Avenue. walk, turn left and walk a few yards over to Underhill Avenue. Cross Cross Kissena Boulevard into Kissena Utopia Parkway, hop back on your Park, passing through gates decorated bike, and proceed on Underhill with steel profiles of an old-fashioned Avenue. You’ll be crossing 188th Street railroad locomotive. A marker in the and 58th Avenue. At 196th Street, the pavement designates the spot through trail veers to the right to travel on the which a rail line ran. Follow the signs, pedestrian bridge over the Long which designate a clear route through Island Expressway. At the end of the the park. To learn more about the bridge you are now in Cunningham natural and social history of the park, Park. Follow the trail as it passes look for the staircase leading up to the between two schools, Public School

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR 60 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System

179 on your right, and Saint Francis journey. To get there, continue Preparatory School on your left. Just traveling forward on 199th Street, then before Francis Lewis Boulevard, the cross Union Turnpike to enter the trail hooks right, back towards 199th park. Bicyclists, please respect the Street. This hook can be a little tricky delicate character of this forest by to find: if you find yourself on the either locking up your bike or walking sidewalk along the Francis Lewis it as you explore this rare, nearly Boulevard, you’ve gone too far. pristine area.

Near 199th Street, the trail begins to To get back to a subway, retrace the follow a wooded corridor, which is route back to Main Street, turn right to the route of the old Vanderbilt Motor Roosevelt Avenue where you'll find Parkway. This segment of the the last stop on the 7 line, or go on to Greenway, somewhat arbitrarily, ends the last segment of the Greenway. along 199th Street near 75th Avenue. The Greenway bypasses one of the most interesting parts of Cunningham Park: the southern forest with its mature trees and kettle ponds. Unlike many forests in New York City, the understory here is largely intact, allowing many different ferns and wildflowers to flourish—a wonderful side trip before the next leg of our

Community gardeners taking a break from the midday sun

KISSENA-CUNNINGHAM CORRIDOR The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 61 Alley Pond Park to Fort Totten

Length: 9.6 miles Estimated travel time: Biking—1.5 hours; walking—3 hours Attractions: Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Alley Pond Park, Alley Pond Environmental Center, 9 Joe Michaels Mile, Little Bay Park, Fort Totten Park, , neighborhood of Bayside.

Character: Mostly sheltered park corridors with some on-street sections. The only heavy traffic is briefly encountered at Northern Boulevard.

Directions at a Glance Starting at 75th Avenue and 199th Street in Cunningham Park

Mile Mile 0.0 Follow the well-marked trail, which is 4.0 Turn left on 230th Street. the remnant of the Vanderbilt Motor 4.1 Turn right on 67th Avenue. Parkway, over the bridge crossing at 4.2 Turn left on 233rd Street. Francis Lewis Boulevard, then, near 4.5 Cross West Alley Road, then straight ballfields, tunnel under the ahead on East Hampton Boulevard, Clearview Expressway. to end. 2.5 Trail ends at Winchester Boulevard. 5.2 Soft left onto 232nd Street. Turn around and backtrack. 5.3 Left on 50th Avenue, then right on 3.1 Trail exits park corridor at Cloverdale Horatio Parkway. Boulevard. You will turn right, then 5.5 Right on Cloverdale Boulevard. travel forward on Cloverdale. 5.8 Right on Northern Boulevard. 3.2 Near 76th Avenue, trail turns right, 6.0 Cross Northern Boulevard to beginning enters park again. Follow marked of Joe Michaels Mile. Follow marked trail to exit at Cloverdale and route past Fort Totten to the base of 73rd Avenue. the Throgs Neck Bridge. 3.7 Forward on Cloverdale Boulevard. 9.6 End near Utopia Parkway. 3.8 Turn right on 69th Avenue.

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN 62 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 63 Subways the old Flushing township to , encountering Fort Totten There are no subways close to this and the Throgs Neck Bridge. The seg- ment begins by running through the segment of the Greenway. At the end corridor of the historic Long Island of the segment you can backtrack to Motor Parkway, known as the the Flushing-Main Street stop on the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. The idea 7 line (see inset map p. 70). The Long for the Parkway was prompted in Island Railroad provides the closest 1906 by William . Vanderbilt Jr., a public transportation. The descendant of the family that presided Auburndale, Bayside, and Douglaston over the New York Central Railroad stops are relatively near sections of the and . Vanderbilt con- Greenway. You need a permit to bring ceived of the route as a raceway, but it also served as a fast track for the your bike on the train. The MTA’s wealthy to their estates on Long website has permits applications that Island. Later, during the 1920s and you can mail in, or you can acquire a , the route became known permit at Grand Central or Penn as Rum-Runners Road, since as a pri- Station. (For the latest information, vate road it was so frequently used by visit the MTA website at bootleggers outrunning the . It www.mta.info or call 718-330-1234). was featured in the 1937 movie Topper, starring Cary Grant. The movie is worth renting to get a sense of the Where to Eat pastoral landscape of the area 60 years ago. You’ll find the area is now built There are numerous restaurants on over with neat-as-a-pin middle-class Northern Boulevard and a snack bar houses. In the 1930s, Robert Moses on Joe Michaels Mile that is open from undercut the Vanderbilt by construct- April to October. ing the free-of-toll . With its revenue severely Public Restrooms reduced, the Vanderbilt shut down in 1938, to be shortly resurrected by Moses as a recreational path. Public restrooms can be found at th Telephone Playground at 75 Avenue Alley Pond Park is at the other end of and Bell Boulevard, Alley Pond Park: the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. Alley th th 67 Avenue and 230 Street; Alley Pond Park is a vast, rambling park Pond Environmental Center; featuring some of the most dramatic : kettle ponds and satisfying forest and and 33-35 Avenues; Park: marsh experiences in New York City. th nd 215 Place and 32 Avenue. Kettle ponds were formed during the of the big glaciers 20,000 years Area History ago. Huge blocks of dense glacial ice became mixed with the rest of the rub- This is one of the most historically bly glacial till. When the ice melted, it rich segments of the Greenway. It left a big hole in the ground. Twenty travels through the outer reaches of

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN 64 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

The Joe Michaels Mile section of the Greenway as it approaches its terminus near Fort Totten thousand years later, these big holes the house was fortified with stone remain as isolated ponds, largely fed walls. Around 1750, Alley Creek was by instead of or dammed and its energy harnessed for springs. a grist mill. The area became a com- mercial center, with commercial ves- Lovers of big old trees will find sels traveling up Alley Creek. In 1821, plenty to adore throughout the park’s the north shore’s first post office was woodlands. Be on the lookout for installed near the grist mill. A stage- huge old tulip trees, as well as beech coach ran between Douglaston, at the and red oak. The bottom of the kettles mouth of the creek, and Brooklyn. The support red maple swamps. Bird area even had its own notoriously watching is popular, thanks to the rowdy bar, named the Bumble Bee’s park’s varied habitats. And the park is Nest. able to support the most varied amphibian population in New York Unfortunately, during the 1950s the City outside of . park fell victim to habitat fragmenta- tion in connection with the building of The area has a long history. the Long Island Expressway/Cross The Matinecock were the first nation Island Parkway and to inhabit the area. In 1637, a man of cloverleaf. Even Alley Pond, after European descent named Thomas which the park is named, was partly Foster acquired 600 acres surrounding filled in to a bridge base for the Alley Pond and, in 1663, built a per- Expressway. (The Pond has recently manent home. Forays by the been restored in a different location). Matinecock were still occurring, and By the late 60s, the remnants of the

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 65 park were critically degraded. Its gul- You’ll notice that this is a hilly area. lies were favorite dumping grounds, Alley Pond Park follows the slope of especially for cars. In the face of that the glacial moraine down to Little and of plans for more highway con- Neck Bay, and the Greenway goes struction through the park, filling in of right along with it, weaving in and Pea Pond, and elimination of many of out of the park and local sideroads. the park trails, a vibrant citizens Little Neck Bay is a glorious natural movement emerged to save and rein- setting, and indeed the Queens vigorate the park and its habitats. In neighborhood of Bayside was the 1969, an umbrella group called the preserve of the rich and famous, Alley Restoration Committee hosted a including many of the early film stars “Walk in the Alley.” of the and early 20s. The film industry was new and Queens was a The Alley Pond Environmental major production center. Perhaps Center provides education on the comedian W.C. Fields is its best environments, creatures, and issues of remembered resident. It is also the the park, and preserving the location of silent film star Rudolph environment in an urban setting. Valentino’s summer home, which is You’ll find their offices at 228-06 now a restaurant called Caffé on the Northern Boulevard, just east of the Green. Escaping the rampages of . Visit their web- highway construction, Little Neck site for information on current pro- Bay’s opposite shore in Nassau grams and events: County still preserves its posh subur- www.alleypond.com or call ban character. 718-229-4000. The Greenway curves past Fort

Alley Pond

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN 66 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System Totten, a historic Army base, a large portion of which was transferred to the Parks Department and opened to the public in 2005. A bucolic military campus featuring open space areas, military back to the Civil War, and turn-of-the-century historic buildings, Fort Totten repre- sents an exciting new addition to the City’s park system. The fort, original- ly called the Fort at Willets Point, was established in 1857 as a major compo- The fortifications of Fort Totten, now nent in the defense system of New New York City parkland York . Its sister fort, Fort Greenway is popular with all manner Schuyler, can be spotted across the of human-powered recreationists. On bay on side of the Throgs a typical excursion, you will Neck Bridge. Together, both forts encounter folks out for a heavy-duty formed a pinch point, or narrows to work-out or just an afternoon stroll prevent enemy ships from entering with the family. Bicyclists, follow the the from the Long Island well-marked trail to its end on Sound. Winchester Boulevard. Pedestrians may want to turn into the main part Located on the northern end of Fort of the park a little bit sooner. Totten, the Historic Battery is the site of fortifications dating from the Civil To avoid erosion and conflicts with War, the late ninteenth century, and pedestrians, most of the park’s natural the early twentieth century. Fort paths are off-limits to bicycle riders. In Totten is also home to the Officers’ order to explore some of the more Club which is designated a local interesting areas of the park, you will historic landmark and listed on to dismount. One such attraction National Register of Historic Places. is Little Alley Pond. To find it after backtracking from Winchester Located adjacent to the fort is Little Boulevard, you will stop short of the Bay Park, a waterfront park which, Cloverdale exit. Instead, after crossing like Fort Totten, offers sweeping views the bridge over the Grand Central of , Little Bay, and Parkway, you will turn right at the the Throg’s Neck Bridge. second path. You’ll soon encounter Trip Description Little Alley Pond, a classic glacial kettle pond. The stairs a little further on, have a convenient asphalt ramp The Greenway proceeds easterly on for walking your bike if you have one. Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. Built for Poke around the pond a bit, and then motorcars, today this part of the return to the trail.

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 67

Continuing on, you should find a on 69th Avenue. You will turn left Greenway sign directing you to the again on 230th Street, right on 67th trail exit at Cloverdale Boulevard off Street, then left on 233rd Street. What to your right. In any event, you can you are doing is following the contour see Cloverdale from the trail. Move of the park in a zig-zag manner. forward on Cloverdale and very shortly, near 76th Avenue, a Greenway Continue on to West Alley Road, sign will indicate a right turn back which you will cross (carefully) to the into the park. Follow the signed route beginning of East Hampton to the trail exit at Cloverdale and 73rd Boulevard. There is a glorious trail Avenue. You will find yourself in a called the Tulip Tree Trail that begins quiet residential neighborhood, near here. At one time, the Tulip Tree although the traffic on 73rd Avenue can Trail was part of a series of bike paths be a bit speedy. that Robert Moses designed next to many of his expressways. Access to Carefully cross 73rd Avenue to move this trail for bicycle transportation has forward on Cloverdale, then turn right been blocked. The compensation to

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN 68 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System the loss of this trail is the fact that the Shore Road. Make a right onto Weaver route down to Little Neck Bay is all Road (in front of gazebo) and pass the downhill. Follow East Hampton historic parade grounds and the Boulevard to 50th Avenue. Keeping the Commanding Officer’s house. At the park on your right, follow 50th Avenue end of the road make a right back to Horatio Parkway where you’ll veer onto Totten Avenue, view the Officer’s right, then turn right again onto Club, and exit the park. Cloverdale. The now “cherry- stemmed” Tulip Tree Trail begins very As you leave Fort Totten Park, you shortly on, opposite the end of will be entering Little Bay Park. The Birmington Parkway. This is a highly Greenway ends just past the Throgs recommended side trip. Neck Bridge. There is no convenient subway stop nearby. Continuing down Cloverdale, you’ll soon pass pleasant Oakland Lake, To get to the Long Island Railroad, fol- which is a good place to stop and sit low Utopia Parkway to Station Road on a bench while watching the (about 0.8 miles) and turn left to reach passing and people. the Auburndale stop.

Turn right on Northern Boulevard. Kitty-corner from the Alley Pond Environmental Center, cross Northern Boulevard to the beginning of Joe Michaels Mile, a spectacular- and very popular— pedestrian/bicy- cling route along Little Neck Bay. Take it slow and be careful here; you’ll want to appreciate the pleasant homes with private docks across the bay, the boats, the fishermen, the birds, and the refreshing break from vehicular traffic.

At 212th Street right before Little Bay Park is Fort Totten Park. Take a side trip through this bucolic park by entering through Totten Avenue. Bear left at the triangle onto Bayside Street. Go up a slight hill and make a right onto Abbott Road. Past the ballfield, make the first left onto North Loop and then a right onto Ordnance Road. Go to the end and make a right onto Little Bay Park jetty and Throgs Neck Bridge

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System 69

To get back to the 7 subway station —a welcome relief). in Flushing, follow these directions: • Right on 32nd Avenue. (See map). • Left on Miller Street, rounding the • Left on Utopia Parkway. square to Prince Street. • Right on 26th Avenue, crossing • Right on Prince Street. Francis Lewis Boulevard. • Left on Northern Boulevard, go • Left on Bayside Lane. one block. • Left on (far corner of • Right on Main Street to subway stop.

ALLEY POND PARK TO FORT TOTTEN 70 The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System

onclusion of Queens and eastern Brooklyn, con- necting Highland Park to Fort Totten and Little Bay Park. The Queens East We hope you find this River and North Shore Greenway is a guidebook useful and 10.6 mile greenway which will run that you will take advan- from the in Queens to Ctage of the Brooklyn-Queens the Promenade along Greenway, and that you will take the East River and North Shore shore- advantage of connections to the 13- lines in Queens. Finally, the Brooklyn mile Shore Parkway Greenway along Waterfront Greenway will run along Brooklyn’s waterfront and the Brooklyn’s East River waterfront from Rockaway Gateway Greenway. the Pulaski Bridge to Erie Basin and Thanks to a significant commitment to beyond to Pier 69 in Bay Ridge. expanding waterfront access, the importance of greenways has increas- Greenways provide both recreational ingly been recognized, as demonstrat- and benefits while ed by the recent completion of the 32- helping to promote , mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. providing an alternative mode of Future greenway projects will connect transportation for both recreation and with the Brooklyn-Queens Greenway commuting. We hope you will take and extend the greenway system in advantage of this and other green- both boroughs. ways to get to your destinations. For further information on citywide Among the projects in development greenways or greenway-related are the Laurelton Southern Greenway, events, please visit our website at a 32-mile greenway, which will run www.nyc.gov/parks. along the southern and eastern shores

Special thanks to:

Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Borough Commissioner , Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Joshua Laird, Assistant Commissioner for Planning & Natural Resources Jennifer Hoppa, Deputy Director, Planning Martin Maher, Brooklyn Chief of Staff Tupper Thomas, Prospect Park Administrator Credits Debby Kuha, Forest Park Administrator Design ...... Edward Faherty Estelle Cooper, Flushing Meadows Research & Writing ...... NOSC Staff Corona Park Administrator Photography ...... Dave Lutz Janice Melnick, Northeast Queens Park Administrator Acknowledgements Eric Goetz, Queens Park Manager New York City Department of Parks Jennifer Kao, Project Manager, Planing & Recreation Tweeps Phillips, Project Manager, Planning New York State Department John Mattera, Parks Librarian of Transportation Furthermore, A Program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund Neighborhood Open Space Coalition (NOSC) The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 71 Greenway Signage Greenway Safety Tips

The route is marked by the Greenway Signal to Others. Establish eye logo, a round green medallion contact with motorists to ensure that they know you are . Cyclists and skaters should signal all turns and stops; sound your bell or call out a warning when approaching others, then pass safely on the left.

Beware of Car Doors. Motorists can unexpectedly open doors of parked cars. Ride in a straight line at least three feet away from parked cars.

On-street Signage

Regulatory Sign

Be Careful at Intersections. Avoid being in a turn-only lane if you want to go straight through an intersection.

Pavement Marking 72 The Brooklyn/Queens Greenway System Signal to Others. Sound your bell Obey Traffic Signs and Signals. or call out a warning when Cyclists must obey all NYC approaching others. Traffic Rules.

Stay on the Path. Ride only on Never Ride Against Traffic. Motorists designated paths to protect parks, and pedestrians are not looking for natural areas and yourself. Riding off bicyclists riding against traffic. It is a designated pathway is dangerous illegal and dangerous. Ride with and prohibited in NYC Parks. traffic to avoid accidents.

Right-of-Way. Cyclists and in-line Advisory: Cycling is fun, but it can be skaters must yield to pedestrians. dangerous and could result in serous injury. We have provided safety tips in this guide, but you are responsible for your safety and the safety of others. There are many hazards along the path, from cars and trucks to uneven surfaces to pedestrians and other cyclists. Take your time; wear your helmet; and look twice and then look again when enter- ing traffic. Dismount when you have any concern for your safety or the safety of others. Safety is your responsibility. Moreover, all users of the Greenway must obey all applicable vehicular and traffic laws and regulations and all applicable New York City Department of Parks & Recreation rules and regulations. The Brooklyn-Queens Greenway System 73

Bike Shops

See individual maps for bike shop locations. The numbers on this page correspond to the numbers on the maps. 1. Roy’s Sheepshead Cycle 5. Hardware City Ltd. 2679 Coney Island Ave. 79-06 Jamaica Ave. (Ave. X and Ave. Y) (78th and 80th Sts.) 718-646-9430 718-296-2000

2. Brooklyn Bicycle Center 6. Gray’s Bicycle 673 Coney Island Ave. 82-34 Leffert’s Blvd. (Ave. C and Cortelyou Rd.) (Metropolitan and 718-941-9095 Abingdon Aves.) 718-441-9767 3. On the Move 400 7th Ave. 7. Spin City Cycle (12th and 13th Sts.) 110-50 Queens Blvd. 718-768-4998 (Ascan Ave. and 73rd St.) 718-793-8850 4. Dixon’s Bicycle Shop 792 Union St. 8. Flushing Bicycle Center (6th and 7th Aves.) 45-70 Kissena Blvd. 718-636-0067 (45th Ave. and Holly Ave.) 718-358-0986

9. Peak Bike Pro Shop 42-42 235th St. (LIRR station and Northern Blvd) 718-225-5119

The NYC Cycling Map is available free at bike shops throughout boroughs, or by calling 311. The map can also be accessed online at the NYC Department of City Planning’s website and the Parks Department’s website, www.nyc.gov/parks.

For greeway-related problems or information on events within parks along the green- way, dial 311. Information on park events can also be found on our website, www.nyc.gov/parks. NOTES: NOTES: NOTES: