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Alley Pond
Location
Queens, NY
Anchor Site(s)
Alley Pond Park and Fort Totten Park
About the Sites
Queens County is home to this Stewardship Area which includes Alley Pond Park and Fort Totten Park.
Alley Pond Park sits at the southern end of Little Neck Bay, offering a unique opportunity to experience a natural environment in the midst of urbanized Queens. The park exhibits a variety of habitats, including tidal wetland, coastal grassland, and shrubland habitats, on over 657 acres of protected area. Also within the park is Alley Pond Environmental Center which offers a series of educational programs throughout the year.
Further north in this Stewardship Area is Fort Totten Park, which sits on 60 acres of land that juts into Little Neck Bay. Fort Totten Park is home to an old Civil War fortress and provides habitat for winter waterfowl to stop for a rest during their long trek south.
Ecological Importance
- This Stewardship Area provides a range of habitats, including forested hills, ponds, meadows, salt marshes, tidal flats, and freshwater habitats that are rare in Queens County.
- This Stewardship Area acts as a resting area for winter waterfowl and also provides feeding, breeding, and nursery grounds to wildlife.
- Freshwater drains into Alley Pond from the hills and bubbles up from natural springs, mixing with the saltwater from Little Neck Bay. As a result, Alley Pond Park is host to freshwater and saltwater wetlands, tidal flats, meadows, and forests, making for a diverse ecosystem and supporting abundant birdlife.
- The Woodlands in Alley Pond Park comprise 100 acres of continuous forest canopy with some trees being up to 200 years old and is home to spring and fall migrating songbirds.
Recreational Opportunities
- Enjoy the playgrounds, barbecue areas, golf center, basketball courts, and other facilities offered at Alley Pond Park, which is also home to NYC’s first public high ropes adventure course.
- Fish for striped bass in this Stewardship Area.
- Explore the natural environment at Alley Pond Environmental Center, which provides educational programs in ecology and life sciences for students of all ages.
- Hike the many trails around Alley Pond Park.
- Explore the history and natural offerings at Fort Totten Park, which provides a place to launch a kayak or canoe, see migrating waterfowl during the winter, and take a guided tour with a park ranger.
Dive Deeper
- Alley Creek Watershed Plan
In 2015, NYC Parks and DEP finalized an ecological restoration and watershed plan that identifies opportunities for managing threats to ecology and waterway health. - Restoration projects
This map shows past restoration work by Natural Resources Group in Alley Pond Park. - Udalls Cove Park Preserve
This Preserve, located around a 30-acre inlet off of Little Neck Bay, is an important habitat area in northeastern Queens. - Restoration at Alley Creek
This project aims to restore wetlands and local plant life to Alley Pond with the goals of improving water quality, promoting natural tidal flooding, and reviving wildlife habitats. - Waterbody/Watershed Facility Plan
The Alley Creek Watershed in the Waterbody/Watershed Facility Plan created by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection stretches from Alley Pond Park to Fort Totten and includes the edge of Nassau County’s western border. - Oakland Lake
Oakland Lake is a glacial kettle lake that is fed by underground springs in Alley Pond Park.
Places to Visit
- Udalls Cove Park Preserve, a 30-acre inlet off of Little Neck Bay is an important preserve and habitat area for northeastern Queens.
- Queens County Farm Museum is the only working historical farm in New York City, dating back to 1697. A greenhouse complex, historical buildings, planting fields, livestock, orchard, and vineyard sit on 47 acres of farmland.
- Crocheron Park sits on the edge of Little Neck Bay between Alley Pond Park and Fort Totten Park. The park offers baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and a view of Golden Pond.
- The 104-acre Clearview Park and Golf Course includes an 18-hole golf course, baseball fields, a bicycle trail, and a kayak/canoe launch site.
- Douglaston Park Golf Course is an 18-hole Golf Course in Little Neck that sits just east of Alley Pond Park.
Get Involved/Events
- Alley Pond Environmental Center offers many volunteer opportunities, including volunteering at the Center’s animal care and helping with educational programs or special events. Field Biology internships are also available for high school students.
- Alley Pond Park offers many upcoming events so you can find a fun, informative, or healthy way to enjoy the Park.
- Fort Totten offers many events for all ages.
- Queens County Bird Club offers bird-watching walks and the NYC Audubon Web site provides information about what birds can be seen at this Stewardship Area.
Field Notes
- It is best to bird with someone else or a group at Alley Pond Park.
- Poison ivy is found here and there throughout the Park. It is not a problem if you stay on the trails.
- Dog ticks may be encountered from mid-April through June in field areas.
Credits
- Aline Euler, Educator, Alley Pond Environmental Center. Site visit and personal interview in 2012.
- “Alley Pond Park.” NYC Parks Web site. Available at http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/alleypondpark.
