FOREST EXPLORERS /
EXPLORADORES DEL BOSQUE
Families who walk, explore and create together
🌱
Familias que caminan, exploran y crean juntos
WALK WITH US ︎
Join me and a group of families & caretakers at Forest Explorers /Reúnete conmigo y con un grupo de familias y cuidadores en Forest Explorers.
forest essential list:
💦️ water
🥪 snack / lunch
🧺 picnic blanket
📷 Kid camera
🥾 weather appropriate clothes/
🩳 change of clothes
🪕 music instrument
when: sunday mornings, rain or shine
time: 11AM -1PM
forest essential list:
💦️ water
🥪 snack / lunch
🧺 picnic blanket
📷 Kid camera
🥾 weather appropriate clothes/
🩳 change of clothes
🪕 music instrument
when: sunday mornings, rain or shine
time: 11AM -1PM
FOREST PARK
STRACK POND
Strack Pond, located opposite the Bandshell parking lot, is a reclaimed kettle pond, named after a local veteran. It is a great spot for a bird watching, fishing and peaceful reflection. A ¼-mile long trail wraps around the pond. Entrances are located opposite the Bandshell parking lot and off Woodhaven Boulevard.
PINE GROVE
The first Pine Grove in Forest Park was established in 1914 when 2,500 pine trees were moved from Forest Park’s nursery and transferred near the 109th Street and Myrtle Avenue entrance of the park in remembrance of local war veterans. Most of the trees in the grove are Eastern White Pines. To commemorate the park’s centennial in 1998, 100 additional pine trees were planted by volunteers around the park, creating four new pine stands.
THE OAK FOREST
The most continuous oak forest in Queens can be found in Forest Park. Protected as a “Forever Wild” area, it features 150 year old oak and tulip trees and is home to songbirds, small mammals, pheasants, hawks and owls. No bicycles, baby carriages or unleashed dogs are allowed in this area of the park. Three marked hiking trails help you traverse the undulating topography and explore this 165-acre forest. The Yellow Trail, starts by Metropolitan Avenue off Forest Park Drive. This one mile loop takes you around the northern section of the forest and passes a famous vernal pond, which is a hot spot to view migrating song birds. The 2.4 mile Orange Trail, which starts at the intersection of Memorial and Forest Park Drive, takes you around the forest perimeter and through the Pine Grove. The Blue Trail starts off Woodhaven Blvd. on Forest Park Drive. This 1.75 mile loop intersects with the bridle path and Orange Trail.
HORSE AROUND
Forest Park is also home to one of the few existing equestrian paths left in Queens. This 4 mile crushed stone path meanders through the forest but is easy to navigate, with a few small hills. When using this path, please yield to the horses for your safety.
*The Visitor Center, operated by NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers, is located at the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive. You can pick up park information, and see small exhibits and animal displays. It is the meeting place for many Park Ranger-led tours. For information on hours and programs, please call 718 846-2731