Brookfield Park Hiking Trails

Staten Island's Brookfield Park was once the site of a municipal solid waste facility and is now a 225 acre natural area with walking trails and paths. A layer of soil four feet deep, equaling two million tons of soil, covers a barrier which keeps any pollutants from affecting the soil.

Above the surface, you'll find a beautiful natural environment with thousands of native plantings. More than 17,000 trees and 76,000 plants were planted before the park opened in 2017, attracting migratory birds and butterflies to the area. The addition of prairie grass and native plantings will also prevent erosion. Four marked trails provide excellent hiking opportunities, and a mile of unmarked trails can bring you all the way to Richmond Creek. Paved paths encircle the Experience ponds, rivers, wetlands, marshes, and meadows at this restored, safe, and serene Mid-Island gem.

The perimeter trails are all paved and can be used for biking, roller-blading and stroller walks, but there is no vehicular access.

Blue Trail (0.53 miles): This half-mile gravel trail ascends the small hill overlooking the scenic wetland estuary where the Arthur Kill meets Richmond Creek. Look for wetland birds such as Great Egrets.

Green Trail (0.53 miles): Walk this mostly dirt/ unpaved trail loop to the top of a small hill on the western side of the park and you'll come upon a view of the wetland estuary. Look for milkweed along the sides of the trail. This plant is very important for monarch butterflies that visit the park

Orange Trail (1.2 miles): The longest named route in the park, this trail travels throughout the eastern side of the park with numerous views of Richmond Creek and where it meets the Arthur Kill to the north, as well as LaTourette Park's forested hills on the opposite side. As you pass through the low growing vegetation on the hills of Brookfield Park, keep an eye out for sparrows, swallows. This route is paved along the northern perimeter of the park and unpaved off the park perimeter.

Red Trail (1.23 miles): The Red Trail is a shorter gravel loop on the eastern side of the park is a gravel route inside the perimeter of the park slightly up on the hill. Once you ascend the small hill, the route is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines and declines. Several locations along the trail give views of the surrounding wetland and forest of LaTourette Park.

Interactive Map

Points of Interest

Estuary Overlook

From this point above the wetland, you have a view of estuary where a branch of the Arthur Kill begins to meet Richmond Creek. Look out for shore birds such as egrets, ibis and herons.

View Estuary Overlook on the map

Hilltop Overlook

A short walk from entering the trails from the parking area up to this small hill on the Orange Trail, you come to an overlook of the grasslands with the upland forest of LaTourette Park off in the distance.

View Hilltop Overlook on the map

Arthur Kill & Richmond Creek Overlook

A few steps above the paved section of the Orange Trail along the northern perimeter of the park, enjoy a fantastic view of the body of water where the Arthur Kill and Richmond Creek meet and its surrounding salt marsh, as well as the woodland of LaTourette Park on the opposite side of the wetland.

View Arthur Kill & Richmond Creek Overlook on the map

View of Upland Forest of LaTourette Park

A magnificent view of the uplands of southern LaTourette Park across Richmond Creek. Enjoy the view in all four seasons, with the fall foliage, bright new spring leaves, summer lush green and perhaps some snow frosted branches in winter.

View View of Upland Forest of LaTourette Park on the map

Richmond Creek Wetland

Framed by the upland forest of LaTourette Park on its north side, the wide expanse of the wetland surrounding the winding creek is visible from the vantage point.

View Richmond Creek Wetland on the map

Hiking in NYC Parks

Visit our Hiking in NYC Parks page to find more nature trails in parks across New York City.