Alley Pond Environmental Center in Oakland Gardens
Categories
Location on the map
Oakland Gardens, Queens County, New York, US
Site: http://www.alleypond.org/
- Monday:9AM–4PM
- Tuesday:9AM–4PM
- Wednesday:9AM–4PM
- Thursday:9AM–4PM
- Friday:9AM–4PM
- Saturday:Closed
- Sunday:Closed
We went with a small group of nursery age children. I was very impressed with their temporary set up and cant wait to see the new Environmental Center when its done. We met a few animals and learned quite a bit. The children had a blast. We had a picnic afterward at the park. Great way to spend a Saturday.
My child attends an outdoor science nature class here and loved it. We also BBQ and hike as they have many trails to try. The park is also dog friendly and offers playgrounds and restrooms. Also a great place to bike.
Very nice park in the heart of queens. it has adventure park for the adrenaline junkies. it has hidden paths in the woods where you cant even tell youre in the city. it also has picnic areas and biking trails. you can easily spend a day there.
First time visiting and it was awesome to see the park in an urban area.
Excellent place to take the kids. Small gift shop. Restaurant and comfort station. A huge trails the goes around the entire center. Lots to see and learn. If you have children that are interested in nature, this is the place for you. Theres parking but if the school busses get there first it can get tight.
We had our daughters birthday party there, outside of course. Mr. Jacob was excellent with the kids and studied paleontology so was able to geek out with all the dinosaur-lovers in the group. I highly recommend.
Super friendly and helpful, and hands down the best place to NYC to have your child safely handle a ball python!
Free to public. Dogs on leash allowed on trails.
Beautiful board walk hidden from the road. A wonderful stop if you just want to go for a wall with the family including little ones. The trail is a mix of board wall and also dirt path. The short board walk is stroller friendly and leads you to the view of a salt marsh. So glad we found this place to get away from the busyness. Inside there are small animals you can take your little ones to see. Thank you to the volunteer there who made us feel welcomed.
Love this place love that staff amazing wonderful passionate staff whos passionate about what they do! Worked with them for at least 15 years and known them since I was a kid my parents even knew them as well and grandparents! Consistently amazing!
Love the trails. Park is clean
Great place for an educational experience. I would recommend 2 and up. You can do everything inside in an hour including bunnies and birds. The trails are nice and if the honey is inseason get it. Price is a donation. I usually donate 5 per person. But its no obligation
I love the trails out into the bay here, and I have actually found the big tree once. That is very special.
The trails were perfect for a 4 and 5 year old. Just long enough that they felt physically tired and challenged. I also love that its a pretty quiet spot, the mosquitos in the summer are the worst but the fall and winter here are amazing. Totally recommend for a family outing outdoors
Great trail and walking space in the middle of Queens! Kids can get exercise and sun here, play ball or bike and have a picnic!
The best place I have found for my two kids. We have been taking classes here since he was 2. The staffs are exceptional. Ms. Bonnie and ms. Karen both been so great with my son. He loves going to classes there. The animal center is open to the public for those who wants to bring their kids to see snakes, chameleons, chinchillas, lots of rabbits, and even baby quails this spring. it is a hidden gem in Queens and i am glad and happy I found it for my little ones! I tell everyone about it because i truly believe kids need to re-connect with nature. I cant say enough great things about this place. Just go.
We attended my sons best friends birthday party. It was wonderful. The kids had a great time learning about all the animals. The center offers a good variety of programs for kids. We have to go check one out.
They have great birthday parties, keep the kids engaged and happy, and its a nice way to spend a few hours. Kids get to gently observe and handle animals and learn respect for nature. They have great programs year-round!
Loved this place as a child, hope I can visit there again! If you want to be adventurous and enjoy nature go there.
Incredible staff. The cutest animals. Definitely think every child should spend time at this center. They are doing such incredible work for our planet and are helping our children become more compassionate and curious towards the world.
New space is huge and offers a lot of improvement to what APEC can offer. Hard to believe its only temporary in this space but the same awesome staff and educators are still there running more programs than ever. Definitely recommend checking them out for a short visit, partaking in a childrens class or asking them about having a party there. Cant wait to see the new permanent location when its complete.
We love APEC my kids have been taking classes here for the past 7yrs since we started homeschooling. It’s also a good place to go for a walk, look at their animals or just enjoy the outdoors.
For people like us, who lives in the city this place is oasis. Park has clean bathrooms. Ample parking space. I strongly recommend this park for anyone looking for a escape during this pandamic.
My kids and their friends had an amazing time here. The staff was so kind and patient with each child providing a plethora of information.The nature walk is so great! You forget that the concrete jungle lurks right beyond the canopy of trees. Just watch out for the poison ivy!
Big park with old trees, several walking or hiking paths, playgrounds, meadows, and a clean restroom open most days.
Just go here !!!!This is a fabulous gem right in Queens (though it is clearly on the Nassau border).Alley Pond Environmental Center offers a charming trail, and a neat indoor space which is particularly geared toward children, though all ages are welcome.Ive been several times- on a quiet weekday we were lucky enough to hold and pet rabbits.The staff is friendly and welcoming.APEC also offers classes for all age groups. I wish my daughter was younger for a nature type of Mommy and Me.
Great place to make a birthday
I went for A Night Under the Moon to create a beautiful wine glass craft. We drank wine and a snack which was very nice. The instructor, Masa, from Creative Scene was very patient and helpful. The cost was $15. Well worth the night out to do something creatively and the company of others an added touch. APEC is now at 224-65 76th Ave. There is plenty of parking and the added bonus you can walk around the park. APEC has lots of activities for the young and older to pick from for nominal fees. Check out their website.
I love this place. We had a picnic and a award ceremony there with the scouts and the board. Definitely would receive
We had a great birthday party for our 6 year old at APEC. The instructors (both named Caitlin) were great with the kids. They did their craft (fox-noculars), went on a nature walk, played with 3 animals and then had food and cake. Everyone had a blast and it was very educational at the same time. This venue is highly recommended!
These pics are from the bar and grill at the Alley Pond Golf Center, but the app doesnt allow me to choose that location.They have a 50% off happy hour W, Th and F from 3-7.Try the fresh burger and home made fries for $5, or 3 fish tacos for $7, the best bargains I know of.
The place was small, but they had a few animals that small children will appreciate. The staff was really helpful. They took out the snakes and rabbits for petting. Highly recommend this place for small children
I have been going to the alley pond environmental center since my kids were young. They are renovating their main center on northern blvd. They have an additional environmental center right in the alley pond parking lot off Springfield blvd we think its wonderful.
Great short activity with the family, see various animals they keep in the little zoo, more like pets in aquarium tanks. The hiking trail is superb for toddlers.
Had a birthday party for a 6 year old child. Very nice and educational. Staff are friendly and very organized. Not expensive comparing to Bounce U and other similar places
I really thank for my having a good natured environment and enjoying walk with my acquaintances without costing a penny.
This is the temporary location while their main location is being built in the north of the park. It currently exhibits a small collection of various birds, small mammals and reptiles.
Very cool place! Been here for a few bdays ana now my kids want it. Thia past Saturday waa a beautiful day and the trail was pretty nice for the kids
Great place for family Fun
Very cool place to learn about animals reptiles and the like. Took both my kids there for their kindergarten trips ..separately because of different years. They loved it.
Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Wonderful ambassador animals! Excellent programs for children and/or adults.
Had a child’s birthday party here. Great deal for the price!!!! Had such a great time. Had live animals to view and pet. Took a walk in the park Great instructors.
Wonderful taking part in the APEC Hikers and Trail Crew program for adults. During longer daylight hours, there are weekly hikes, and there are monthly outings to explore natural surroundings and historic sites in the area.
APEC is a great place to visit if you are interested in local wildlife amd habitats. I have been there several times, especially as a small camp trip or school trip. Foe school, I arranged the trip a few weeks in advance. I planned it for when we were learning about ecosystems. We first had a lesson in which my students actively learned about the pond ecosystem and the life cycle of a bull frog. The educator there used great manipulatives and kept my students (grade 4) engaged. We then had a nature walk during which we walked through 4 different habitats (pomd, forest, salt water marsh, & meadow). The grand finale was when we returned indoors and were able to see, learn and interact with one animal feom each class (bird, reptile, mammal, amphibian,& well, there arw fish that we could see, but not touch, obviously). Such a wholeaome, organic learning experience!! APEC also regularly hosts Homeschooling groups and does birthday parties.
Beautiful setting and great community events!
Very nearby outdoors experience for city dwellers. Clean paths (just keep an eye out for poison ivy), ideal short hikes for the 6 and under set, friendly staff at a nature center featuring a decent variety of creatures and clean bathrooms.
Its really just one room. If you have a young one, then spending ten minutes looking at the animals(and possibly petting a bearded dragon!) Would be a good thing. Hey, you cant beat free.
Attended a birthday party here & it was very nice. Staff was super friendly and the animals were super cute. Very nice establishment.
This quiet retreat is a stones throw from my front door. It’s a great place to take morning meditative walks or meet some neighbors.
This place is a wonderful resource that we use often. Hiking trail, lots of educational classes, kids camp, knowledgable friendly staff. Really a great place!
Unfortunately, the nature was was uneventful. The children’s party we attended was fun for the children. They were able to touch 2 animals.
Very nice I enjoyed myself with all the kids from my son school would love to visit again
Nice place with parking space around. Tips: restroom closes at 4pm
Had a great time for my sons birthday party, kids enjoyed themselves, staff very friendly and reasonably priced!
You never know what youll see here. The rabbits are so cute but very shy. Probably shouldnt feed anything here or youll be followed home lol.
Very disorganized, small and dirty inside. People that work there are very nice and corteous. The animals and birds are cute but there arent many
Love all the trails and views
A nice place to take kids to have a short walk. The envorinment center is open to public. They host school trips.
Loving knowledgeable people and powerful fun learning experiences with the animals and nature. Best for unforgettable birthday party.
Grate place... had a bunch of fun with kids attending birthday party. Kids enjoyed animals and walk ..
Great
Awesome place for pizza parties for the kids. Cool little walk through their protected (smelly) mud swamp :p
Great place to walk
Awesome place to walk and look at nature.
Great place for children
Very friendly staff and great to see nature up close - outside or in the facility.
LOTS of kettles from the glacier moraine saw 2hairy woodpecker chipmunk nuthatch nice walk in the woods
This place have classes for little ones on the weekends. Nice activities to keep kids entertain and learning at same time!
Friendly park staff that are more than happy to share their knowledge of local plant and wildlife.
Great, friendly and knowledgeable staff. Fun educational activities for kids.
Tracks need to rid of snow.
Great place to take a class to on a trip yet personal enough for a day trip with your own kids.
Helped in a fellow Scouts Eagle project, restoring the old play area for kids to hang out.
Love this park with its paved trails and birds!
Clean , educational place. Staffs were very informative, helpful, professional. Love this place and the staffs.
Great for small kids to learn about animals and small hike area for everyone.
I loved seeing the animals out of theircages and tanks.
If you like nature, its great little place to visit on a sunny day, just a little trek.
Cool trails and normally very quiet with not that many people.
Great place for kids to learn science in a fabulous experiential way! Great classes.
Make it a trip with the family. The kids will love the different animals and will learn so much.
Fun place and lots of animals
The best kids birthday party venue Ive ever been to
Nice place to take the kids. Free tours
Good for kids very quaint and fun for the lil ones
Very old but great for kids. Clean despite wild animals
A lot of kids come here, baby heaven, lol ! Thanks to the people who put in their heart.
We had so much fun at Marks party today.
Beautiful wetlands preserve on the edge of nyc, small but sweet ♡
This place is amazing so well maintained and great people
Great place for the kids to explore nature.
Great local place for kids to learn about the environment.
Excellent place to visit during summer time
Very lovily place to walk and its right off northern boulavard
Kids had fun here for a birthday party
Great place to experience nature in the city.
Always good to go back bear because you never want to leave
Great experience for family with young kids!
Wonderful place to enjoy natures beauty
Amazing staff, great selection of animals
Went for a run here years ago, had an amazing time.
So worth going if you are an NYC resident
Its a nice place 4 the out doors
The alley pond environment center is under construction 🚧
Busy with people
Good place to chill in weekends.
Nice place.
Nice park
Nice place to bring the little ones
Beautiful. Great experience and staff.
Terrific venue for birthday party!
Beutiful grounds. Really well maintained
Friendly knowledgeable staff, interesting animals
Only 20% of original land like this remains on LI.
Nice place to take kids
Great trail, bring binoculars
Great trails
A lovely natural oasis in the middle of Queens.
Very large park.
Love it...its clean!
Nice and new office and rooms
Check out their classes.
Excellent for Childrens programs.
Love it
Very very big park!!
The people are very friendly and helpful
My kids love this place
Great!.
Great learning experience for kids
CLOSED DOWN! VERY UPSETTING!
Guides were very knowledgeable
Great place for kids.
Geat trails.
Very nice nature center
Great educational experience!
Fun for all ages
Awesome staff good projects
Kids will love it ..
Love this park
Amazing
Cute ❤️!
Great to be outside
Free park
Good stufg
Nice place for kids
Nice place for evryone
Kids loved it
Beautiful place
Good for kids
Very educational!
Love this place!
Love the animals!!!!
Bunnies!
Good
Awesome
Bring bug spray
Very educational
Loved the nature!!!!!
👍👍
Not for me.
Pretty place
Beautiful spot
Very fun to have hiking trails, playgrounds for kids. There is a river but there is a bug.
Very nice 👍, many activities and a family atmosphere🥰
It is good for families it is very nice and clean. Thank you very much for taking care of this Nation.
Very beautiful, it reminds you how wonderful the land is, with its landscapes full of life ...
Have the opportunity to take the kids to see
Very pretty
At sunset
Total reviews rating 4.7
179 Reviews for Alley Pond Environmental Center 2023:
Review №1
2021-11-21AEPC is a hidden gem for Northeastern Queens. Especially, families with young kids please come and enroll in their fantastic enriching classes. Story time for toddlers, science pods, nature hikes you name it!
Review №2
2022-06-17Nice environmental center , but it is quite small. The animal story time is not worth spending on, as they are similar to library classes that are free.
Review №3
2022-01-10This place is a bit of a Hidden Gem in the neighborhood. Currently located in a temporary space - they have great educational programs for kids who are interested in nature/animals/environment. The staff are great and my kids consistently ask to go back to classes - or even just for a visit. I love supporting organizations like APEC.
Review №4
2022-06-26Great park, clean and well maintained. Always a pleasure walking through it with family and friends.
Review №5
2019-05-12It was good loved it however u must not go on the Douglass whatever his name is trail by accident and think that its part of the APEC since its not. It will take you on a 1.3 mile long adventure that you need to be aware you are on before you realize you cant get out. Ok.
Review №6
2018-11-03Took our local cub scouts for a hike here to meet some of their badge requirements. Staff was extremely helpful and excellent with the kids. Before the hike, they explained certain nature related terms and showed them some animals (ei. Box turtle, rabbit, dove) that really got the kids excited. Great place!
Review №7
2022-04-10Plz take better care of the bunnnys give them veggies and hay and water in a bowl not a water bottle and give them toys these pooor bunnys look so deppressed
Review №8
2021-12-15Alley Pond park just keeps getting better. They have completed a new drainage system that enables park goers to a pollution free environment. The conservation center is newly complete as well and is a must for teaching kids about climate change. It keeps getting better.
Review №9
2021-10-04A good park for fun and games. You also cook in the park BBQ. Try the chicken and waffles.
Review №10
2019-08-28Definitely a great place for the kids to have fun learning & exploring. The staff was super friendly, accommodating, & sweet. Not your typical party place, which kept the kids interested!