Kissena Park — Attraction in New York

Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens is a 235‑acre urban oasis that beautifully balances recreational energy with serene natural beauty. At its heart lies Kissena Lake, framed by weeping willows and scenic paths—perfect for walking, picnicking, or casual fishing . The lake’s re‑naturalized aeration system, added in 2003, keeps algae at bay and supports local wildlife like ducks, turtles, and even herons . Bird watchers and nature lovers will appreciate the park’s rare and exotic tree grove, a remnant of Samuel Parsons’s 19th‑century horticultural nursery, which now hosts over 100 tree species .

For the active crowd, Kissena offers ample facilities: baseball, tennis, handball courts, bocce, and a public golf course with modest green fees . A standout feature is the historic Kissena Velodrome—built in 1963, renovated in 2004—which attracts cyclists and was once part of the Brooklyn‑Queens Greenway network .

Families flock to its clean, shaded playgrounds with sprinklers, while paths winding through woodlands invite quiet exploration . Community vitality shines in tai‑chi sessions, weekend festivals celebrating diverse cultures, and the striking Korean War Memorial honoring Queens veterans .

Still, it isn’t without downsides. Some areas near Field 12 become muddy after rain, and visitors report occasional off‑leash encampments and safety concerns, including a recent assault, prompting increased police presence .

Overall, Kissena Park is a vibrant, multifaceted gem—boasting nature trails, historic charm, family‑ and fitness‑friendly amenities, and strong community engagement. Just pick your time and route wisely, and it can be your peaceful retreat in the...

Kissena Park is a 235-acre (95 ha) park located in the neighborhood of Flushing in Queens, New York City. It is located along the subterranean Kissena Creek, which flows into the Flushing River.[1] It is bordered on the west by Kissena Boulevard; on the north by Rose, Oak, Underhill, and Lithonia Avenues; on the east by Fresh Meadow Lane; and on the south by Booth Memorial Avenue. The park contains the city's only remaining velodrome, a lake of the same name, two war memorials, and various playgrounds and sports fields.

The site of Kissena Park was originally part of a tree nursery operated by Samuel Parsons in the late 19th century, though parts of the park were also the site of a Long Island Rail Road line. The lake on Parsons's property was named "Kissena", which comes from the Chippewa language meaning "it is cold", "cold place", or "cool water", and the park was later named after the lake. After Parsons died in 1906, part of his former nursery was incorporated in the modern-day park. The name "Kissena Park" can also refer to a residential section of Flushing just north of the park. Kissena Park opened in 1910, and it was incorporated into Kissena Corridor Park in the mid-1950s. Various improvement projects have been conducted during Kissena Park's history, including the addition of the velodrome in 1962 and restorations of the lake in 1942 and 1983. Subsequently, the Kissena Velodrome was restored and rededicated in 2004, and a Korean War memorial was...

Kissena Park has a lot of great walking trails a big beautiful artificial pond that's stocked with fish for fishing and you could always watch the turtles and the swans although the fish must be returned back because they're too small there's also plenty of shade trees so even if the Sun is blasting you can still stay cool the bathrooms stay open until 4:00 a.m. they have two located centrally in the park they have benches they have the checkerboard top tables It's relatively a free from electrical vehicle park every once in awhile you'll see somebody on a bicycle but for the good part it's about 80% walking they have parks there for little children to play in parking is not a problem because all around the park is free parking outside the park on the street the park has a bocce court which people play their regularly and they are very friendly and welcome anyone who would like to play I have found Casino Park to be exceptional in its feeling of Serenity and peace you can sit almost anywhere in that Park and find comfort in one way or another you can hear the birds chirping you can see the squirrels running and just in general the smiles on everyone's face and the happiness that the park provokes...