Forest Park To Yosemite National Park

Forest Park is one of the last natural densely forested parks in New York City, abundant not only with vegetation, but wildlife and knob-and-kettle topography. Heavily forested and filled with song birds, rabbits, and quail, the park offered magnificent views of the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean from its high hills.Serving the Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, and Glendale communities, the Forest Park of today offers something for everyone, whether it be athletics or relaxation in a natural setting. The western portion of the park is a sports enthusiast's paradise with softball fields and tennis courts. Basketball courts can be found at the Greenhouse Playground. Those looking to work out their upper torso can try their luck at the park's bocce courts, horseshoe pitches, and shuffleboard area. Opened in 1905 as a nine-hole course, the 110-acre Forest Park Golf Links at the park's western edge now boasts 18 holes. Victory Field sports complex - a 13.5-acre outdoor, athletic facility dedicated to the veterans of World War I - opened in the eastern park in 1927. It features a 400-meter track, handball courts, and facilities for pole vaulting, broad jumping, shot put, and discus throwing.
In contrast to its western part, the eastern park offers a serene setting, as hiking trails and 7 miles of bridle paths traverse the area's northern forest, gully, and pine grove. Horses, which can be hired at two private stables, provide a fun way to survey the environment. Those who prefer to travel by foot have their choice among three designated hiking trails. The .5-mile red trail, 1.5-mile yellow trail, and 1.75-mile blue trail introduce park visitors to the natural wonders of the park. Those searching for a challenge greater than the traditional walk in the park can set out, compass and map in hand, during the park's biannual orienteering meets.
Environmental features of the park are plentiful. Kettle holes, knobs, boulders, and a rocky terrain are remnants of the region's glacial past. With specimens over 150 years old, the 413 acres of native red and white oak forest is another natural attraction of the park. After exploring the largest continuous oak forest in the country, arboreal-minded citizens can walk through the pine grove, a stand whose beginnings can be traced to the planting of 2,500 trees in 1914.