What Kids Like About Staten Island

Compiled by:The Prodigal Borough

“My Name is Winsome. I am seven years old. I live in the Livingston neighborhood of Staten Island now, which is great because I like gardens and going to Walker Park where they have sliding boards. I am learning to ride my bike around the park, which is a big square. For Halloween we have a big spooky parade and everyone dresses up and goes to the Haunted House. I scream and scream but eat treats at the end. I like living here because it is quiet and pretty. I am an artist like my mom, and we do nature walks to get ideas. I like to sit on my front steps and watch nature. Last year there was a bird nest in the tree and I peeked at it every day. What I want to do is camp out in a tent. My mom might say o.k. I think camp time is the best because I go to Goodhue Center and have fun. I visit the museums and the zoo too. My brother and I also walk to play baseball at Snug Harbor. I may want to be a pop star, so I like to go the St. George Theatre and The Unitarian Church where there are shows and music.” - Winsome Beatrice Jacobs (Dictated to her mom, Diane Matyas)

Winsome's Favorites:

Walker Park and The Halloween Costume Parade: Delafield Place and Davis Avenue.

Nature Walks:The Staten Island Museum, offers Weekend Ecology Walks at Staten Island Parks. On May 18, 2008 the museum offers a “Warbler Walk,”

Clove Lake Park, Victory Boulevard and Clove Road, 8-10AM, Meet at the Martling Avenue Bridge

Goodhue Center: 304 Prospect Avenue, (718) 447-2630

The Staten Island Museum: 75 Stuyvesant Place, (718) 727-1135

The Staten Island Zoo: 614 Broadway, (718) 442-3100

Snug Harbor Cultural Center: 1000 Richmond Terrace, (718) 448-2500

St. George Theater: 35 Hyatt Street, (718) 442-2900

The Unitarian Church: 312 Fillmore Street, (718) 447-2204 

“My name is Jack Gallo and I am five years old. I live in St. George, Staten Island. Staten Island is fun and I love to go to places in Staten Island. One of my favorite things to do is ride my bike at the bike path at Silver Lake Park on the weekends. My mom rides her bike with me, and we just got a new bike for daddy so he can ride too. I love to go to playgrounds - and my favorite playground is Skyline, except for the monkey bars because they hurt my hands. But soon I'll be tall enough to jump up to them myself. We like to go swimming at Faber Pool because they serve free lunch, and the water is warm. It's right on the harbor too, so you can watch the enormous steamships going back and forth. Snug Harbor is cool to go to because there are tunnels under the trees and you can run around in circles and catch each other in the flower gardens. There is a secret maze and castle that is really fun to get lost in and you can sit on benches and have lunch when you are hot and tired from running.” – Jack Gallo (Dictated to his mom, Martha Gallo)

Jack's Favorites:

Silver Lake Park: Forest Avenue and Victory Boulevard

Skyline Playground: Arnold Street & Prospect Ave (Between Harvard Avenue & Clyde Place)

Faber Swimming Pool: 2175 Richmond Terrace, (718) 816-5259

Snug Harbor Cultural Center: 1000 Richmond Terrace, (718) 448-2500  

“Hi, my name is Jonathan and I live in St. George, Staten Island. I love my neighborhood because I can walk with my mommy to Lt. Lia Playground and play with lots of other toddlers. We can also walk to see the colorful fish tanks in the ferry terminal. In the summer we go to the baseball games at our minor league stadium next door to the ferry. On Saturdays we go to the Children's Museum in Snug Harbor. There I can wear a fireman's hat and sit in the full size fire-truck. The open play area is fun and educational and so are the toddler classes. My mom loves the gardens of Snug Harbor where I can run around the tree peonies and the butterfly garden. We recently started going to the boardwalk along Midland Beach where my mom pushes me in the jogging stroller and I can watch the people fish off of the fishing pier. There are so many parks to visit. In the summer, we are planning to go to Heron Park in Tottenville to learn about nature. On May 3rd, we are going to the season opening of the Carousel at Willoughbrook Park within The Staten Island Greenbelt. I can't wait to ride one of the 52 hand crafted horses and animals on the carousel. Summer is fun in Staten Island. Hope to see you there!” – Jonathan Rice (Dictated to his mom, Tina Rice)

Jonathan's Favorites:

Lt. Lia Playground: Wall Street, St. Marks Place and Belmont Place

The Staten Island Ferry: 1 Bay Street, (718) 876-8441

The Staten Island Yankees Baseball Stadium: 75 Richmond Terrace, (718) 273-0187

The Staten Island Children’s Museum (at Snug Harbor): 1000 Richmond Terrace, (718) 273-2060

The Staten Island Botanical Garden (at Snug Harbor): 1000 Richmond Terrace, (718) 273-8200

South Beach and Midland Beach, Boardwalk and Fishing Pier: Father Capadanno Boulevard and Sand Lane, (718) 816-6804

Blue Heron Park Nature Center: 222 Poillon Avenue, (718) 967-3542

The Carousel at Willoughbrook Park: Eton Place off Richmond Avenue (718) 667-2165

The Greenbelt Nature Center: 700 Rockland Avenue (at the intersection with Brielle Avenue), (718) 351-3450

Picture credits:

A Bird’s Home by Uma

Creepy House by Matt

Bird Nest House by Caitlin

Yellow House by Jill