Running Map - Forest 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

Forest Park

Forest Park is a 543-acre getaway bordering Queens and Brooklyn. There is a lot of variety - roads, trails, and track. Although the trails are not long, this has been the location of ultramarathons in 100K and 40-mile distances.

Victory Field

Located in the center of the map, you have Victory Field - a public 400m track, which is a great site for some fast intervals. It is typically busy with runners and walkers, but it is still the best location for speed work in the area.

Forest Park Trails

This is an incomplete and very inaccurate depiction of the dirt trails in Forest Park. I'll update this when I get a GPS unit. The southern most line is a paved road, which is closed to car traffic, that cuts through the park. At various points, you can hop onto the dirt trails and loop around. The loops are approximately 0.5 to 1.75 miles in length, and of course you can zigzag through them to add variety. If you like rolling hills, this is your park. The dirt roads are wide, so they aren't overgrown in the summer, and the paths are easy to follow even when covered in winter snow. The only problem for runners here are the horses, which aren't a problem in the early morning, and the dog walkers that tend to let them run free. I've run here for years and it is definitely one of my favorite locations.

Heading to Brooklyn

Heading west past Victory Field, you find yourself running along side the golf course. If you want another short, but scenic detour, make sure to spot the path in the south eastern corner. This loop circles around a natural kettle pond. I've spotted a huge white crane resting in the pond a few summers ago. I was really surprised how large its wingspan was when it flew away. Again, the trail is a rough sketch, but I am emphasizing that it is short but could be worth your time. The path along side the golf course is paved, but visually a nice run.

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

Directions

Driving: The Jackie Robinson Parkway traverses Forest Park. Other major roads are Myrtle Ave, Woodhaven Blvd, Union Tpke, and Metropilitan Ave. Public Transportation: From the J and Z subways' 85 St/Forest Pkwy, Woodhaven Blvd, and 104-102 Sts stations, walk north a few blocks. From the E and F subways' Union Turnpike station, walk west on 80th Rd. The following buses also go to the park: Q11, Q23, Q37, Q53, Q54, and Q55.