Frontline Parks:
Leading examples of urban parks creating economic, environmental and social capital through innovative partnerships

Greenbelt

The Greenbelt is New York City’s second largest park component, located in the central hills of Staten Island.  The 2,800 acre natural area includes a rugged environmental diversity unmatched in any other part of the city; in a single trip, park visitors can hike in woodlands, gaze on wetlands, or walk through an expansive meadow.  In 1871, famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted proposed that the area be set aside as parkland, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the Greenbelt became known as such.  Today, it connects many different Staten Island parks such as High Rock, Willowbrook, and LaTourette, and also includes the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge.

Experience Backcountry Activities in the City

The Greenbelt boasts a 35-mile trail system that can take hikers deep into the woods or along the perimeter of the park.   Environmental education classes are renowned; the Greenbelt Nature Center is a hub for learning and exploring while the nearby Recreation Center offers myriad activities for staying in great physical condition.  Those seeking a more relaxing and contemplative experience will not be disappointed; the Greenbelt marks the southern boundary of naturalist Henry David Thoreau’s travels. 

For more information about Staten Island's Greenbelt, please visit the Greenbelt Conservancy at www.sigreenbelt.org

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