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Staten Island · Neighborhood guide

Great Kills-Eltingville

This South Shore collection offers neighborhood play spaces and a separate harbor-and-path destination at Great Kills Park. Choose local recreation or the shore, with the park's cleanup closures checked before traveling.

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Saint Alban's Episcopal Church
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Saint Alban's Episcopal Church on NYFE

Understanding Great Kills-Eltingville

Eltingville grew as a hamlet around the Staten Island railway in the nineteenth century. The city's historical account describes a further wave of residential growth after the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened, connecting the older village with the surrounding low-rise streets.

The park was developed as public recreation land before joining Gateway National Recreation Area in 1972. Its beach, path and harbor facilities show why the shore is a useful next destination from the residential area.

Lieutenant John H. Martinson Playground remembers a Great Kills resident and firefighter who died at a Brooklyn fire in 2008.

Places to explore

  • Lieutenant John H Martinson Playground

    Preston Avenue between Koch Boulevard and Osborne Street

    Choose age-separated play areas or the amphitheater setting beside P.S. 55. Parks describes the playground as accessible; that statement does not establish a step-free route from a particular transit stop.

  • Great Kills Veterans Playground

    Hillcrest Avenue north of Highmount Road

    Choose the basketball court or playground for a local recreation stop. Check current conditions before relying on the spray showers.

  • Great Kills Park

    Separate NPS park off Hylan Boulevard

    Choose the designated multi-use path, beach or harbor setting. Swimming is seasonal; the marina and boat launch have separate rules and permits. Consult the current park map and obey cleanup-area fences rather than treating all parkland as open terrain.

Planning a visit

NPS lists the S78 from St George and the S79 from Brooklyn to the park entrance on Hylan Boulevard. Check current service and the onward approach.

Visitor update

Parts of Great Kills Park are fenced and closed during the contamination investigation. Follow closures and use NPS’s current cleanup information before visiting.

Sources and visitor information