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Running Map - Cunningham Park

Queens: Cunningham Park, Flushing Meadows Park, Alley Pond Park, Astoria Park, Forest Park, Kissena Park, Crocheron Park, Throgs Neck Park - Cross-Island Bike Path

Cunningham Park

Cunningham Park takes some time to explore. At first, it doesn’t seem like there are many good places to run, but as you explore you’ll find that there are a few good runs hidden within this deceptively large, 358 acre park.

Baseball Field and Tennis Court Loop

Cunningham Park - Baseball Field - Tennis Court Loop

The popular running/walking paved route around the four baseball fields along Union Turnpike is the obvious place to start. It is less than a mile (approximately 0.84 miles) around and incorporates some slight rolling hills. To many people’s surprise, this is also the home cross-country course to the local high schools. The 5K course loops around the baseball fields and stretches to the south into the trails in the woods and back around for another loop. There is also a freshman 1.5 mile course.

The South and Southeastern Woods

Cunningham Park - Southeastern Woods

Some of the best dirt trails exist in the south east corner of the park, which is part of the protected wetlands. These are typically occupied by walkers and runners. There are a couple miles of trails that loop through the Cunningham Park Reserve, which meanders around some ponds in this protected forest habitat. These trails can be slightly overgrown during the summer months, but they are still runnable. The trails naturally widens during the winter months, making it the prime time of the year to explore.

The North Woods

Cunningham Park North Woods

The lesser known set of trails exists in the North Woods. These are officially mountain bike trails, but I have only seen a few back there. There are a few miles of dirt trails with some rolling hills - the type you’d expect for a mountain biking course. You can easily loop around for 6 miles.

NYC Parks Printable PDF

Talk with other runners about Cunningham Park at our message board.

Directions

Running: Cunningham Park is part of the Greenbelt that connects Flushing Meadows-Corona, Kissena, and Alley Pond Park in a 2816-acre, 4.5-mile stretch of park. Run east along the Greenbelt from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and Kissena Park. Or, run west along the Greenbelt from Alley Pond Park.

Driving: Take the Grand Central Parkway to exit 20, Francis Lewis Blvd, northbound. Take Francis Lewis Blvd north and make a left at the first light onto Union Turnpike. Make your second left into the parking lot at 196th Place.

Public Transportation:Take the E or F train to Union Turnpike and then the eastbound Q46 bus to 195th street. Or, take the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica Station and then take the Q44 bus to Union Turnpike (towards Flushing). Transfer to Main Street and Union Turnpike to the Q46 bus eastbound.