LOCATION

3270 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island.

GETTING THERE

Get map & directions.

HOURS

Open Friday-Monday, 9am-4:30pm.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Ranger Station, Multi-use Path, Education Field Station, and Nichols Marina Office are all wheelchair accessible. The Beach Center restrooms are accessible and surf chairs are available for visitors in wheelchairs. All parking lots have handicapped spaces, and Lot F has cutouts in the railing along the water that allow for fishing from wheelchairs. Get more information.

PERMITS

Do I need a permit?

PETS

Are pets allowed?

CONTACT

Gateway NRA (NPS), 718-987-6790; Nichols Marina, 718-351-8476.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Fort Wadsworth
Miller Field

Great Kills Park

An ocean beach playground and wildlife haven

Located on a peninsula in Staten Island, Great Kills Park—part of Gateway National Recreation Area—is 580 acres of open space where visitors can enjoy many recreational amenities or explore the wildlife still thriving in New York City. You can relax on the beach, go for a swim in the life-guarded ocean surf or hike, bike and run on the trails or multi-use path.

Great Kills Park is known locally for its ecological resources. It is home to the only osprey nesting site on Staten Island, with special nesting platforms provided for the birds to inhabit. The name Great Kills originates from a Dutch word meaning "many creeks." Today, the waters are popular with boaters and fisherman alike.

In 1860, John J. Crooke, a businessman and pioneering naturalist, purchased the peninsula's point. While living in a log cabin on its sandy shore, he spent time photographing the beautiful natural space and collecting plant and animal specimens. In 1929, the City of New York bought Crooke's Point and the surrounding properties to develop into a park. However, work was delayed due to the Great Depression and it was not until 1949 that Great Kills Park opened to the public. Great Kills Park became a national park site in 1973.

Special Events This Month

Arts & Crafts

2/4, 12pm, Education Field Station

Bring the kids for a family arts and crafts afternoon. All supplies will be provided and all ages are welcome. Call (718) 351-6970 for reservations.

Winter Waterfowl Walk

2/22, 11:30am-1:30pm, Ranger Station

Get outdoors this winter during a guided walk to see a variety of ducks in the park's waters. Call (718) 987-6790 for reservations.

Stories of Sea Creatures, Big and Small

2/26, 2-4pm, Education Field Station

Again, bring the kids for this talk with a ranger featuring exciting tales of sea creatures—big, small, famous and little-known. Afterward, walk to the beach to look for the critters that live there.

Other Activities

Swimming, sunning, fishing, boating (Nichols Marina), birding, biking, jogging, yoga, rollerblading and model airplane flying.

Beach is lifeguarded Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10am-5:45pm, daily. Fishing and boating permit required.

See NPS Staten Island Bike Map.