Cross Island Parkway Trail

The Cross Island Parkway Trail closely follows its namesake thoroughfare through northeastern Queens. From its northern end, you will soon enter Little Bay Park, which offers lovely views of the Throgs Neck Bridge and the bay. If you get thirsty or hungry mid-trail, a snack bar is available at the Bayside Marina, a pleasant place to rest with scenic views of the water, sailboats and open sky. Further south, two adjacent parks, John Golden Park and Crocheron Park, offer picturesque scenery, places to picnic and athletic fields. The trail ends at the doorstep to Alley Pond Park, which encompasses a diverse mix of marsh, forest and meadow habitats. Visit the park's Alley Pond Environmental Center (228-06 Northern Boulevard) to extend your journey on its nature trails or to learn more about the area and its wildlife through the center's educational programming.

From the Cross Island Parkway northbound, take the Bell Boulevard exit; at the end of the exit ramp, make a right onto Fort Totten Road, then a left into the parking lot. Another lot can be found at the northern trailhead off Utopia Parkway. Mid-trail, public parking can be found at the Bayside Marina on weekdays, but a parking permit is required there on the weekends.