For a Staten Island outing, Freshkills Park offers a look at a former landfill being transformed into a park. Access is limited across much of the site, so plan around its publicly accessible areas and check for scheduled activities before setting out.
- North Park Phase 1 covers 21 acres and is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Its two entrances are at Schmul Park and 350 Wild Avenue.
- The park is being developed on the former Fresh Kills Landfill, which closed in 2001.
What is Freshkills Park?
Freshkills Park is a long-term park project transforming the site of the former Fresh Kills Landfill, which closed in 2001. The project is being built in phases.
The scale and phased development shape how you can visit: the park project includes several areas, but access to most of the site is limited. Areas visitors can visit include Schmul Park, Owl Hollow Soccer Fields, the New Springville Greenway, and North Park Phase 1.
How does public access work?
Most of Freshkills Park is not publicly accessible except during scheduled tours and events, so choose a designated open area or look for a scheduled activity.
North Park Phase 1 offers a defined place to walk, with divided walking and high-speed paths. Views take in Main Creek and the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge. Its daily hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; check the official site before you go.
The Freshkills Park Alliance describes kayaking, photography, hiking, volunteer projects, and group tours as examples of public activities offered during the park’s transformation. Availability depends on the schedule, so check the Alliance’s calendar for current offerings before planning around an event.
For a separate park outing on Staten Island, you can look into how to plan a visit to Willowbrook Park.
How do you get to Freshkills Park from the hotel?
Freshkills Park is about a 7-minute drive from this three-star hotel on Staten Island. North Park Phase 1 has one entrance behind the baseball field at Schmul Park and another at 350 Wild Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. You could pair the visit with a separate outing to Willowbrook Park.
If you drive to the Schmul Park entrance, street parking is available nearby. At the 350 Wild Avenue entrance, use the available parking lot. The published approach from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge follows the Staten Island Expressway to Exit 5 toward Route 440 South, then Exit 7 at Victory Boulevard, followed by Roswell Avenue and Wild Avenue.
What should you check before your visit?
Confirm which areas and activities are open before you go, since access and scheduled offerings can change. For a visit centered on North Park Phase 1, choose one of its two entrances and check the official site for current access details.
If you want a scheduled tour or activity, use the Freshkills Park Alliance calendar to check what is being offered. The park’s phased development means a visit to one public area does not provide access to the entire project site.
FAQs
What was the Fresh Kills Landfill?
It was the landfill site where Freshkills Park is being developed. The landfill closed in 2001.
Can you hike at Freshkills Park?
Hiking is among the public activities offered during the park’s transformation. Check the Freshkills Park Alliance calendar for current scheduled activities.
Is all of Freshkills Park open to the public?
No. Most of the project site is not publicly accessible except during scheduled tours and events. Several areas are open to visitors, including North Park Phase 1.