Staten Island car rental and the Blue Heron Park and Nature Center

Blue Heron Park is a wildlife sanctuary and educational center. This was once a wasteland for abandoned cars, but today there are walking trails, meadows, ponds, streams, and woodlands for you to explore when you visit with your Staten Island car rental.

People pitching in

When you visit Blue Heron Park with your Staten Island car rental, you may learn that it was named after the gray bird with a yellow tail that greets visitors when they enter. The park has grown to what it is today from several parks and pieces of land that was acquired over the period of 1974 through 2001. The visitors center is located just inside the gate, where you will find several classrooms, exhibit areas, a library, and restrooms. There is also an observation deck here where you can watch birds in their habitat and enjoy a meal.

Take a stroll

There are three main trails in the park where you will find a large amount of wildlife when you visit with your Staten Island car rental. The blue heron is also native to the area. Watch out for them at the edges of ponds and marshes looking for food. There are six ponds in the park, formed by retreating glaciers over 15,000 years ago. They are full of wildlife as well, including birds, turtles, frogs, and flowers.

How you can get here

If you want to get here with your Staten Island car rental, take the Verranzano Bridge to the S.I. Expressway to Hylan Boulevard. Go right on Poillon Avenue. The park entrance is 1/5 of a mile down and the parking lot is on the left. Alternatively, you can take the S.I Expressway to West Shore Expressway. Exit at Huguenot Avenue and stay right at the split in the road. Turn left on Amboy Road and then right on Poillon Avenue. The parking lot is on the right.

Other area parks to explore

High Rock Park is a 90-acre nature preserve that you can visit with your Staten Island car rental. It is located at the head of Nevada Avenue, just off Rockland Avenue. There are short hiking trails here, with access to the Greenbelt's longer trails, comfort stations, and more. High Rock Park has five ponds and wetlands, including Walker Pond and Loosestrife. There are six walking trails where you can see red maples, Highbush berries, and skunk cabbage. Animals such as wood ducks, great blue herons, and muskrats make their homes here with a number of birds, frogs, and turtles. When you visit with your Staten Island car rental, be sure to climb to the top of Mount Moses, a 260-foot hill that will give you a great view of the city.

Check out the All Car Rent a Car location at 111 Quintard Street, Staten Island, NY 10305