Greenbelt Nature Center

Great spot to go on family friendly nature strolls great spot to visit in all seasons

Greenbelt Nature Center is a peaceful escape on Staten Island. The trails are beautiful and easy to follow, surrounded by lush forests and wildlife. It s a perfect place for a quiet walk, learning about nature, or enjoying fresh air. A hidden gem for outdoor lovers

The Greenbelt Nature Center, located in Staten Island, is a tranquil retreat offering a beautiful escape into nature. The center is surrounded by the lush greenery of the Greenbelt, one of the city’s largest parks, providing visitors with an array of walking trails, wildlife, and natural beauty. The center itself offers educational exhibits about the local environment, as well as programs and events for all ages. Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings, it’s a perfect spot for nature lovers seeking a serene experience in NYC.

I went to this place with a few people from JCC. I was expected to have a nature walk scheduled here, but when the owner told us that it was being done somewhere else in Willowbrook, I was surprised. 😯
So we did a tour of the building instead and I was really experienced by what they have here. They have these taxidermy animals that they have on the shelves. 🦅🐿️🦉🦊🐺🐻They had turtles snakes hissing cockroaches and much more. 🐍🪶🐞🦋🪳🐢They had information on the walls about the nature around them and how it adapts to the atmosphere. It was very hot like 79°when we first came there.🌡️🥵 I guess that is when they had to relocate because it was so hot in that area. After all it was an experience to learn about the forest like area and the history there.🪴🌷🌱🌿🏞️ I wish I can go back to experience more to see how it is in the fall season and winter.🍁🍂🌨️❄️🥶

Visited in mid-winter and appreciated large parking lot and amenities of nature center. Large number of trails start from the parking lot. Heyerdahl stone home foundation was highlight of the visit. I liked N trail’s area going nearby few vernal ponds. You can easily make loops from under an hour to several hours worth of hiking.