Great Kills Park — Attraction in New York

This park needs more attention / resources. It has the geographic advantages of a great park, but not enough staff or money (I assume) to operate at its full potential. It is basically a long stretch of road + a sidewalk which runs along side it - good for jogging or walking. The park has 3 separate open parking lots, two of which have restrooms / water fountains. The park has many other areas / parking lots which were once open, but for some reason are all sectioned off by ROAD CLOSED signage and cones etc.

the "sports field" is closed, the boat launch is closed, and my favorite road which leads to a gorgeous, less occupied part of the park is closed, and now has "Do not enter / one way" signs on it.

The park nowadays is just a place to park your car. Go for a walk/run and if it's nice out, the beach here is a pretty option too, although I'd avoid swimming here. I'm not sure if there is a playground for the kids, I do not recall seeing one.

Avoid coming after dark. There are weird, and in my opinion - strange people, that walk the park in the darkness by themselves (pitch black can't see your hand in front of your face). I just find it to be strange. I could never...

In 1860, the businessman and pioneering naturalist John J. Crooke bought a part of the land and lived in a wooden house at the beach. In 1916, severe erosion cut the narrow spit of land and Crooke's Point became an island to itself. As early as 1925, the New York City government was considering buying 50 acres (20 ha) of Crooke's land to build a playground. Mayor John Francis Hylan considered purchasing up to 443 acres (179 ha) of land for a larger park, with provisions for future additions to bring the park's size to 1,000 acres (400 ha). A resort would be built on the site, which was expected to cost $10 million. In 1929, the city bought Crooke's Point and adjacent land and started to build a public park. Due to the Great Depression and World War II, the work was delayed and the park could not be opened to the public until 1949. It became part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in 1973, along with Miller Field and Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn and Queens, and Sandy...

Always a beautiful place for all ages. This park has a very long trail that most people use for walking, jogging, biking, skating, etc. It may be a lengthy walk for children just to get to the center of the trail, where the playground is. The playground is very nice, almost overlooking the ocean. There are both types of swings for younger & older ages. Normally has porta- potties & a water fountain in this area. Also picnic tables here. There's a separate second parking lot overlooking the ocean & docks where you can sit & watch the boats go by. Very nice area with benches or rocks to sit on & a boardwalk. (I suggest watching the sunset here- very pretty.) The third parking lot all the way at the back of the trail, is where most go to walk on the beach sand/picnic. Normally very clean sand (although it's still Staten Island ocean water, lol.)10/10 would recommend for everyone. PS: In case of an emergency, there's usually security, or officers...