HomeNew YorkBrooklyn › Shirley Chisholm State Park

Shirley Chisholm State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 176 Google reviews · Running trail in Brooklyn, New York · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Shirley Chisholm State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicHillyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Park for biking, running and walking, plus picnics, with scenic trails to explore.

What runners say about Shirley Chisholm State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (176 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“Super pretty and very well kept, with amazing views of the NYC and Downtown Brooklyn skyline.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Great views of Jamaica Bay and you can see the planes entering and leaving JFK.”

🏃 great for running 3 mentions

“Perfect place for run, walk or bike riding.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 10 mentions

“The trails are described as peaceful, with opportunities for wildlife spotting, including birds and rabbits .”

For starters my pictures dont do this place justice. I love this park. It is so peaceful. The opening to Jamaica Bay is serene. This is an ideal place to meditate, take in nature while walk/jogging, or just sitting by the rocks and listen to the waves crashing. They also have bike giveaways periodically for children.

★★★★★ — Melissa , Mar 2022

My new favorite place. I visited during the middle of the day on a Tuesday so the park was quiet. Excellent place to bike or run. I’d be curious to return in the summer on a weekend but for now I’d definitely recommend getting out there if you want a quiet and reflective space in the city.

★★★★★ — Aaron , Apr 2023

The most quiet park in NYC. Perfect place for long walks or riding your bike. If you forget your bike they rent bikes for free. They don’t allow pets, alcohol or bbq. Perfect place to relax and enjoy the nice views or to run/bike. The bike paths are either roads or gravel. There are a lot of toilets and resting areas.

★★★★★ — Gerardo , Jul 2022

Perfect place for run, walk or bike riding. It's quiet and a beautiful view. Best time wod be in the morning to be able to get a parking spot or park by Gateway Center and walk over.

★★★★★ — Rose , Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 176 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“Super pretty and very well kept, with amazing views of the NYC and Downtown Brooklyn skyline.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 10 mentions

“The trails are described as peaceful, with opportunities for wildlife spotting, including birds and rabbits .”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“During low tide, you can climb down the shoreline to explore and pick up shells if you don't mind the squishy floor.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Best time wod be in the morning to be able to get a parking spot or park by Gateway Center and walk over.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“There are long smooth trails with neatly trimmed grass and plants around it and is also next to the highway and a body of water.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“If you want more of a challenge there are steep hills with gravel and rocks.”

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Plan your run at Shirley Chisholm State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websiteparks.ny.gov
  • Phone(718) 277-2420

Hours

Monday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Thursday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Friday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Saturday 8 AM–6:30 PM
Sunday 8 AM–6:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Shirley Chisholm State Park

950 Fountain Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11239

Get directions

Running trails near Brooklyn

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Shirley Chisholm State Park

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Park on a former landfill overlooking Jamaica Bay, with trails, picnic spots & NYC skyline views.

1.0 miles away

Fresh Creek Nature Preserve

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Canarsie Bike Walk

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Canarsie Park Hiking Path

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Victory Field

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Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Sports complex in Forest Park with a running track & 2 artificial turf baseball fields.

3.4 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.