Clove Lakes Park facts for kids
Clove Lakes Park is a beautiful public park located in Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs. It's found in the neighborhood of Sunnyside. This park is a wonderful place to explore nature and have fun outdoors.
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Discover Nature's Wonders
Clove Lakes Park is very important for nature. It has a rich natural history and some amazing old features. The park's lakes and ponds are a main attraction. You can also see cool rock formations called serpentine rocks.
One of the most amazing things in the park is Staten Island's largest living thing: a giant tulip tree. This tree stands about 119-foot-tall (36 m)!
Amazing Animals and Plants
Clove Lakes Park is home to many different kinds of wildlife. You might spot various fish in the lakes, such as black crappie, brown bullhead, bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass, and carp.
Many birds also live here, including red-tailed hawks, belted kingfishers, Canada geese, and mallard ducks. If you look closely, you might see reptiles and amphibians like the common snapping turtle, eastern painted turtle, or even a red-backed salamander. Mammals like eastern gray squirrels, muskrats, and eastern chipmunks also call the park home.
Fun Things to Do
Clove Lakes Park is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy having picnics in the park's cozy picnic areas. Boating on the lakes is another popular activity.
Besides walking on the trails and paddling on the water, you can also enjoy modern sports. The park has several baseball diamonds, a soccer field, and a basketball court. There are also playgrounds for younger visitors and a football field.
Ice Skating Fun
In the colder months, you can visit the Staten Island World War II Veteran's Memorial Ice Skating Rink. This outdoor rink is in the active part of the park, close to the other sports fields and courts. It's a fun place to skate with friends and family.
The Park's Lakes
Clove Lakes Park actually has three main lakes. The largest one is Clove Lake. Water from Clove Lake then flows into Martling Lake, and finally into Brooks Lake. These lakes are central to the park's beauty and wildlife.
Getting Around
Interstate 278, a major highway, passes through a natural valley in the park. This highway was built in 1964. It connects the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the east with the Goethals Bridge to the west. This makes it easy to get to the park from different parts of the city.
