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Greenbelt Environmental Education Environmental Greenbelt sigreenbelt sigreenbelt @ @sigreenbelt

Both types can transmit tick-borne tick-borne transmit can types Both

grass, and overgrown areas. areas. overgrown and grass,

humid areas like leaf litter, dense dense litter, leaf like areas humid

• .org nycgovparks reenbelt.org sig

in the Greenbelt, and thrive in in thrive and Greenbelt, the in

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TICKS

who are not affected by. affected not are who

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1 Eton Pl., Staten Island, NY 10314 NY Island, Staten Pl., Eton 1

plant is native to New York City. City. York New to native is plant

WILLOWBROOK PARK WILLOWBROOK

"Leaves of three, let it be." This This be." it let three, of "Leaves

POISON IVY POISON

everyone in your party (pets too!) does so as well. well. as so does too!) (pets party your in everyone

encounters by staying on designated trails, and ensuring ensuring and trails, designated on staying by encounters

of poison ivy, tick bites, thorns, and other unpleasant unpleasant other and thorns, bites, tick ivy, poison of

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK NEW ISLAND, STATEN can be avoided with proper caution. Reduce your risk risk your Reduce caution. proper with avoided be can

and like any adventure there are natural hazards that that hazards natural are there adventure any like and DESTINATIONS

718-667-7475 718-667-7475 [email protected] • Stay on the trail: the on Stay Hiking outdoors is a great adventure, adventure, great a is outdoors Hiking

200 Nevada Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306 NY Island, Staten Ave., Nevada 200

SAFE: AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE

HIGH ROCK PARK ROCK HIGH

GREENBELT GREENBELT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HIKING HIKING YOUR MAKE TO TIPS

Greenbelt! your enjoy and Explore way.

Wednesday – Sunday, 11am - 5pm - 11am Sunday, – Wednesday

highlight some of the plants and animals found along the the along found animals and plants the of some highlight

March: - November

recommendations about hiking to these sites, and and sites, these to hiking about recommendations

several popular destinations in the Greenbelt, provide provide Greenbelt, the in destinations popular several

5pm - 10am Sunday, – Tuesday

The purpose of this guide is to introduce visitors to to visitors introduce to is guide this of purpose The

October: - April

widespread hiking trails (nine are featured in this guide). this in featured are (nine trails hiking widespread

supporting a diverse array of plants and wildlife, along along wildlife, and plants of array diverse a supporting

flagship park. You are invited to see a variety of habitats habitats of variety a see to invited are You park. flagship

a dozen public parks that make up this New York City City York New this up make that parks public dozen a

explore in the heart of Staten Island. There are nearly nearly are There Island. Staten of heart the in explore

a network of parks, natural areas, and greenspaces to to greenspaces and areas, natural parks, of network a

718-351-3450 718-351-3450 [email protected] • Staten Island Greenbelt spans over 2,800 acres, providing providing acres, 2,800 over spans Greenbelt Island Staten

Staten Island, NY 10314 NY Island, Staten You have come to New York City's "fine patch of wild." The The wild." of patch "fine City's York New to come have You

700 Rockland Avenue Rockland 700

GREENBELT

THE

THE GREENBELT NATURE CENTER CENTER NATURE GREENBELT THE

TO WELCOME

GREENBELT PARKS & FACIL & PARKS GREENBELT ITIES

GRAY TREEFROG WOOD DUCK TULIP POPLAR TREE Gray treefrogs are often seen out Tree cavities and man-made Named for its showy flowers of water on trees and other plants. nest boxes around High Rock and tulip-shaped leaves, their Large sticky toes pads help them to Park encourage this shy, colorful tall, straight trunks were preferred climb and cling to tree bark. Their waterfowl to live and raise young in by the Lenape tribe for dugout call sounds like a loud trill. the Greenbelt. canoes.

GREEN FROG TURKEY VULTURE SWEETGUM TREE This common frog is seen around Often seen as an overhead Recognized by its spiky ball seeds the edges of swamps and ponds, silhouette, these birds help clean and star-shaped leaf, it is the most with their faces peeking out of up dead animals through their common tree on Staten Island. the water. Listen for their call, a scavenging feeding behavior. New York States tallest measured twanging noise like a rubber band. sweetgum is in High Rock Park.

GREEN DARNER BLOODROOT CHIPMUNK This large dragonfly eats primarily This grim-sounding plant with snow Often seen scurrying on the insects, including mosquitos. white flowers is named for the ground, this tiny mammal squeaks Contrary to popular belief, color of the sap in the roots. Look when alarmed, so hikers may hear dragonflies do not sting or bite for blooms in April and May at the chipmunks long before seeing people. edges of wooded areas. them.

LUNA MOTH JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT WHITE-TAILED DEER With its striking green coloration This eastern native is sometimes This large mammal is now established and large eyespots, this moth lives confused with poison ivy before in Staten Island’s natural areas only for a week after emerging it flowers due to its three-part after being absent for decades. from its cocoon, and is mostly leaves. The cupped flower is Staten Island & the Bronx are the active during overnight hours. covered by a distinct “hood.” only NYC boroughs where deer live.

TURKEY TAIL GARTER SNAKE DREY Named for its resemblance to the These non-venomous, native snakes A drey is a squirrel’s nest found high tail feathers of turkeys, this fungus is are seen basking on rocks or in trees and messily made from found on decomposing logs. slithering on the forest floor. Look for leaves (birds make their nests with them in the warmer months – colder twigs). Dreys are easiest to spot in weather makes them inactive. winter, after trees drop their leaves.

CHICKEN OF THE WOODS PAINTED TURTLE SERPENTINITE ROCK This giant shelf fungus appears This turtle is named for the brilliant A rare rock found on Greenbelt from spring through early fall. Its orange and red colorations on its trails. The minerals in serpentine brilliant orange color fades to a shell. Look for them basking on logs rock cause the greenish coloration dull white as it ages. in Greenbelt ponds. and explain its snake-like name.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE GREENBELT Greenbelt Trail System

BLUE TRAIL Provides an easy/moderate level hike, that is 12.3 miles one way. This trail ascends from Staten Island Boulevard to one of the highest points on the eastern coast.

WHITE TRAIL Provides an easy/moderate hike, and is 7.6 miles one way. Its southern end connects to Great Kills Park (Gateway National Recreation Area).

RED TRAIL Provides an easy/moderate, closed circuit 4 mile hike in the middle of the Greenbelt. This loop trail begins and ends near Historic RichmondTown.

YELLOW TRAIL This moderate/di cult trail is 8 miles one way, and brings hikers through Reeds Basket Willow Swamp. It ascends Todt Hill and then parallels the Blue Trail. Moses’ Mountain Willowbrook Lake DEERE PARK is located o the Yellow Trail. GREENBELT NATURE CENTER LOOP The one mile Nature Center Trail begins at the footbridge called CAROUSEL FOR ALL CHILDREN “Mitchell Crossing” to the left of the Nature Center. The level terrain is suitable for novice hikers. After the trail turns eastward there is a native fern garden stretching out under a canopy of tall tulip, beech and birch trees. This loop trail ends at the opposite side of the Nature Center. DESTINATIONS REED’S BASKET WILLOW SWAMP MULTIPURPOSE TRAIL The 2.6 mile multipurpose trail is a path with a wider width than the Greenbelt’s wooded trails. It is the only trail where bicycling is permitted. The mostly at trail Priory Pond extends westward from Rockland Avenue along Forest Hill Road to Richmond Avenue. WILLOWBROOK PARK

At a brisk pace, it takes approximately 20 minutes to walk one mile. CHAPIN AVE.

TRAIL NAVIGATION SYMBOLS Square trail markers which correspond with trail colors on this map can be found on trees along the trail system. The following navigation1 Stump Pond 7 symbols can also be found: Pumphouse PondHourglass Pond WILLOWBROOK PARK REED’S BASKET WILLOW SWAMP Lake Orbach 1 Eton Pl Staten Island NY 10314/ Enter trails at Chapin Ave. or Annfield Ct./ BLOODROOT Park and Trail Safety NATURE 1.9 miles from the Greenbelt Nature Center VALLEY 4 miles from High Rock Park entrance kiosk CENTER The mature forest of Willowbrook Park, Take the Yellow Trail northeast from High Rock accessible via the White Trail, is home to BUCK’S Park to see this section of the Greenbelt. The large tulip poplar, red oak, American beech, HOLLOW Read family lived on this site where father and and red maple trees. The small lake supports ight 2012 HIGH Pick up or download a son took part in the early American industry of ROCK GREENBELT TRAIL MAP Canada geese, various ducks,opy r dragonflies, growing willow trees to make fine baskets. The C PARK to plan your route using and little brown bats aboveC the surface, while swampy areas are perfect for willow trees, and Walker Pond our entire trail network. pumpkinseed sunfish and catfish swim below. LATOURETTE sigreenbelt.org/ the industry prospered for many years. Around the lake, notice the willows and the GOLF HOUSE hiking-trails/ baldcypress trees with needles that turn a unique SOUTHWEST Map Key ( Color markers will be foundcoppery-bronze along the Trails) color before shedding each fall. LATOURETTE

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Parking Greenbelt Nature Center Moses’ Mountain Native Plant Propagation Nursery The Joseph Holzka Overlook Greenbelt Recreation Center The Carousel For All Children LaTourette Public Golf Course Historic Richmond Town Archery Field Museum of Tibetan Art Model Airplane Field Greenbelt Headquarters William T. Davis Refuge

Ruins Picnic Area Radio Tower Bus Stop Model Airplane Field Ball Fields Foot Bridge Archery Range 2 NYS DEC Property 3 4 5 6 in Buck’s Hollow in Buck’s Hollow MOSES MOUNTAIN in Bloodroot Valley LATOURETTESCALE : GOLF1.5” ‘ 1mi. HOUSE HEYERDAHL HILL BUTTONBUSH SWAMP HIGH ROCK PARK 1001 Richmond Hill Rd Staten Island NY 10314/ 0.8 miles from the Greenbelt Nature Center 1.1 miles from the Greenbelt Nature Center 1.4 mi from the Greenbelt Nature Center/ 200 Nevada Ave Staten Island NY 10306/ sigreenbelt.org nycgovparks.org2.0 miles from the Greenbelt Nature Center 0.6 mi from High Rock Park entrance kiosk 1.9 miles from the Greenbelt Nature Center A slight diversion from the Red Trail in the Buck’s Buttonbush Swamp is a wetland in the central Use the Red/Blue Trails to get to the LaTourette Hollow section of the Greenbelt will bring you to Greenbelt, accessible by the White, Blue, Red, In the early 1960s, there were plans to construct a For many years, High Rock Park was a Girl Golf House, a restored Federal style brick structure the ruins of the old Heyerdahl Family House – and Yellow Trails. Home to green frogs, bullfrogs, highway through the Greenbelt. Many concerned Scout camp visited by children from all across built in 1870. Once a family mansion, today it evidence of the Staten Island’s pastoral past. spring peepers, and gray treefrogs (successfully citizens protested the highway and won their battle. New York City. When the Girl Scouts tried to sell is on the U.S. Register of Historic Places. Buy a Here, the Heyerdahls ran a family farm and reintroduced here in the 1990’s through a NYC A large pile of construction debris from this project the property, local citizens rallied to preserve snack and take a bathroom break here on the vineyard despite the area’s rocky and poor Parks initiative), the swamp teems with aquatic remained and was named Moses Mountain as a this land as public parkland. The leader of this way to Historic Richmondtown, a 19th century soil. Buck’s Hollow is likely named for the goats life. Adjacent to the swamp is a persimmon tongue-in-cheek reference to the notorious urban movement was Gretta Moulton, a scout leader living history village, or while heading further into (“bok” is the Dutch word for goat) that once grove, a rare species for Staten Island generally planner, Robert Moses. This 260-foot-high vista for which the entrance gate to the park is named. Southwest LaTourette Park. There, see the naturally- grazed the farmland. Today, look instead for found in the South. offers up to 15 miles of visibility on a clear day. High Rock Park contains five ponds and various occurring Hessian Spring, remnants of Ketchum’s bucks and does of white-tailed deer. Visit via the Yellow Trail for a vista of the Greenbelt wetlands, and is often referred to as the most Mill, and the tidal wetlands of Richmond Creek. and views of fall foliage and migrating birds. tranquil place in New York City.