Freshkills Park

06/04/2026

May was a busy month at Freshkills Park but we have even more in store for June! Thank you to all the people that joined us at the park last month. Whether you went kayaking, made a beautiful cyanotype print, or running in memory of Michael Hanly, we are so grateful.

Check out our programming for June! We would love to see you again or meet you if you have yet to visit Freshkills Park.

Photo credits to and

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/freshkills-park-5968578623

06/02/2026

Today we were joined by the Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship Team at Freshkills Park!

It was a day filled with recreation, stewardship, and hands-on conservation projects.

Fellows from across all five boroughs had the opportunity to explore our tidal water creeks by kayak while learning about the unique ecology of Freshkills Park.

The group also helped construct raised nesting beds that will support the Staten Island Diamondback Terrapin Project, an important conservation effort led by the Staten Island Zoo to protect and study diamondback terrapins across Staten Island.

From paddling through our tidal creeks to contributing directly to local wildlife conservation, the fellowship team demonstrated how environmental stewardship and community engagement go hand in hand.

Thank you for spending the day with us and helping build a healthier future for Staten Island's natural habitats!

06/01/2026

We've just released the newest issue of our newsletter! To receive updates on park development and opportunities to visit, subscribe to our mailing list.

September 2025 Newsletter Previous Fresh Perspectives Newsletters…

06/01/2026

What an incredible opportunity for the Freshkills Park Alliance and NYC Parks to partner with DSNY for the Michael Hanly 5K.

Freshkills Park is a place of reflection, transformation, and recreation, making it a fitting setting to bring people together in celebration of service and community.

It was an honor to support this meaningful DSNY event and recognize the dedicated men, women, and families who serve New York City every day through the Department of Sanitation. Their commitment helps keep our city clean, safe, and moving forward, and we are grateful for all that they do.

📸

05/21/2026

Join the Freshkills Park Alliance, , and for our 3rd annual New Springville Greenway cleaning!

Volunteers and staff will help to remove debris, trash and prune vegetation to create further access for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

All are welcome to participate but please wear sturdy/close toe footwear, weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, bug repellent and please bring water and a snack.

Registration is required and will be shared in bio.

05/19/2026

This past weekend, over 200 nature lovers, students, scientists, and curious explorers took over Clove Lakes Park for the 2026 Staten Island Bio-Blitz — and WOW did Staten Island show off its wild side! 🌎✨

Over just 24 hours, citizen scientists logged:
680 wildlife observations
269 identified species
And Countless “WAIT…WHAT WAS THAT?!” moments

From bat hikes and frog watches to bee walks, birding, bugs, and forest-floor discoveries, Bio-Blitz transformed Staten Island’s “Central Park” into one giant outdoor science adventure. 🌳

Huge thanks to all the amazing partners who made the magic happen including the Staten Island Zoo, Freshkills Park Alliance, NYC Parks, Greenbelt Conservancy, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, The Bee Conservancy, Staten Island Museum, Urban Park Rangers, and every volunteer who helped turn curiosity into conservation. 💚

Nature is alive all around us — sometimes you just need to slow down and look under a log.

WildStatenIsland CitizenScience FreshkillsPark StatenIslandZoo ExploreOutdoors NYCParks

05/18/2026

Paws hit the park in style this past Sunday, May 17th 2026, as the Freshkills Park Alliance and NYC Parks hosted our very first Dog Parade at North Park — and what a tail-wagging success it was!

From dazzling costumes to heartwarming moments between pups and their humans, our community and their K9 companions lit up the runway competing for awards like Best Dressed, Best Twinning, Shining Senior, and Judges’ Choice.

The Freshkills Park Dog Parade Judges 👑

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Freshkills Park is more than open space — it’s a place where community gathers, memories are made, and even our four-legged friends get their moment in the spotlight.

We were proud to celebrate alongside incredible community partners including Pit Bulls & Addicts, the Plant Ecology Center and Nursery, the NYC Mountain Bike Association, and many others who helped make the day unforgettable.

A BIG Freshkills thank you to our AmeriCorps Fellow Bonnie Nygard for producing such a fantastic and inclusive event!

A special thank you to NYC Assemblyman Charles Fall and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for joining us in celebrating such a joyful event.

To everyone who came out, cheered from the sidelines, wagged a tail, or struck a pose down the runway — thank you for making our first Dog Parade one to remember. 🐾

05/14/2026

Save the date 🦃
Sunday, November 22 2026

Join The Freshkills Park Alliance and NYCMTB for the 4th annual Great Gobbler gravel and mountain bike race. New York City's premiere gravel bike race. 

🎶 🚴‍♀️ 🏆 🎁 and so much more.

05/13/2026

On Mother’s Day, the Freshkills Park Alliance hosted a special kayaking program.

A group of 21 paddlers spent the day taking in the views, feeling the wind, and spending time with some very special women: OUR MOTHERS! 🩷

We thank all who joined us for this very special journey and hope to see you on the water soon! 🚣‍♀️

Be the first to know about our upcoming kayaking adventures! Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://freshkillspark.org/newsletter

05/07/2026

May 17th is coming up! We hope to see you and your dog at Freshkills Park from 10 AM to 1 PM in your best Spring wear. Sign your dog up or volunteer at the link below or just show up to cheer on your favorite dog. The award categories are best dressed, twinning (dog and dog owner lookalike contest), shining senior, and judge's choice. We can not wait to see who wins what award (there will be a prize for the winners).

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/freshkills-park-spring-dog-parade-4837713