Silver Lake Park — Attraction in New York

Silver Lake Park is Staten Island's answer to Central Park. It's my personal favourite park in New York and I particularly like motorcycling through and around it. It is a literal gem in the heart of the Island's North Shore.

Silver Lake Park Road cuts a path along the western boundary of the park and the eastern edge of Silver Lake Golf Course. It's very scenic and great for motorcycling - the only complaint being it just isn't long enough! If you enter the roadway from the Northern Gate (on Forest Avenue) there is a great curve just beyond the entrance. As you round the curve you'll see a vineyard on the right, just behind the chain link fence. It's located on the grounds of the golf course but is quite visible from the road. There are a number of great curves underneath a canopy of green. The park road empties out into busy Victory Boulevard but you can always turn around and go back!

The centerpiece of the park is the beautiful Silver Lake itself. The lake is a reservoir created by the Board of Water Supply and is the tail end of the Catskill water supply system. Bisecting the lake is a footbridge where pedestrians, bicyclists and fishermen gather to enjoy a spectacular view. Circling the lake are walkways - there is an interior walkway that hugs the shoreline. Other walkways traverse higher ground and offer more shade and foliage. The outermost walkway brings visitors to fields where youngsters will find a swing set and other amenities and older kids and their parents play soccer / futbol. The outer path also leads pet owners to a good sized dog run. All of the walkways interconnect and ther path that parallels Victory Boulevard is worth exploring as it features several overlooks that offer truly remarkable views of the lake.

On the weekends and holidays the park road that this motorcyclist loves is closed to motor vehicles so that it can be used by skaters, bicyclists and joggers.

Lastly, it should be noted that this is one of the few parks on the Island that has not been taken over by geese. The park is very special and I urge you to explore it. It's a decent walk (uphill) from the Staten Island Ferry and there are buses that pass by - consult the MTA website for details. The address is simple - Forest Avenue and Victory Boulevard is the northeast tip of the park. Start your...

This park holds a special place in my heart as one of the most cherished spots on the island. The scenery is simply breathtaking. It's hard to believe that wild turkeys occasionally cause traffic jams on Forest Ave near the park, but it adds to the unique charm of the place. Standing on the bridge, positioned perfectly in the middle of the serene man-made lake, offers an unparalleled view of the sheer beauty that Silver Lakes Park has to offer. During springtime, the lake is adorned with enchanting cherry blossoms, creating a captivating spectacle of pink and white hues. As autumn sets in, the park transforms into a fiery canvas, with trees ablaze in vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow.

The lake itself teems with life, playing host to an array of fascinating creatures. Turtles, fish, and waterfowl thrive in this aquatic haven. On occasion, I've been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of three magnificent koi fish that seem to possess scales of pure gold and silver, shimmering under the sunlight. Additionally, the park boasts a dedicated dog park, a beloved gathering spot for proud canine parents, as well as a thoughtfully designed playground for the little ones. The overall ambiance of this park is nothing short of majestic, and I've spent many delightful moments here, fully immersed in its tranquility...

Nice place to run, walk, exercise or just relax on a sunny day.

Originally created as Staten Island’s response to Manhattan’s Central Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, Silver Lake Park provides abundant recreational activities amidst plenty of trails and open space to wander. It was at the turn of the last century when Staten Island secured funds and began developing the park, and it continues to flourish more than a century later, complete with an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, sports fields, and many other facilities.

The natural centerpiece of the park is the lake, which in the last 150 years has served numerous purposes: it provided the setting for a casino and saloon, served the ice harvesting industry, held national skating championships, and became the endpoint of the Catskill water supply system for New York City. Improvements and additions through the years have kept the park up with its legacy and it remains an attractive destination for many New Yorkers. Whether it is swinging a club or a racket, kicking a soccer ball or kicking back, Silver Lake Park’s 209 acres is bound to have...