Cunningham Park Southeast Preserve Trail - Trailhead - Queens Village, NY
If you’re seeking a pet-friendly outdoor adventure, the Cunningham Park Southeast Preserve Trail – Trailhead in Queens Village, New York, offers a unique dog-friendly hiking experience right in the city. Known for its woodsy, narrow, and sometimes adventurous trails, this park immerses visitors and their dogs in a slice of natural wilderness, complete with both paved and natural trail options. While the initial parts of the trail are well-maintained, deeper sections may be overgrown and include uneven terrain and native vegetation, including poison ivy, making it best suited for adventurous dog owners looking for a more rustic outing.
Dog walkers should be aware that shade is sparse, especially around the field areas, and the trails have posted warnings about local wildlife and pests like ticks and snakes. Trail maintenance is limited, and the park’s more remote feel can provide both a peaceful escape and challenges, including occasional homeless encampments and lack of clear organization off the main path. It’s recommended to bring your own water and supplies and to remain vigilant about leash and dog safety, as off-leash dogs have been reported. The park is especially suited for those looking for a real forest feel and an educational outdoor experience, but it may not be ideal for everyone, especially children or those looking for a typical leash-free, open dog park setting.
FAQ
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are both paved and natural trails that wind through the preserve.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is minimal, especially in the field areas; there are not enough trees along the main paths to provide relief from the heat.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Maintenance is limited. Some paths are overgrown with poison ivy and thorns, and warning signs are posted about local wildlife and pests.
- Are ticks or other pests common in the area? Yes, the park posts warnings about ticks, snakes, and poison ivy; visitors should take appropriate precautions.
Reviews
Dilapidated. Overgrown with poison ivy. On the other hand, a piece of actual wilderness with some good educational boards for kids to learn. Visited with kids in late August and they hated it. Path looks wide and in great shape from trailhead, but the asphalt disappears deaper into the woods and poison ivy and thorns take over. Either the city should treat the poison ivy with herbicide or it should label it closed for the season beginning in May or so. A wasted potential.
4 1/2 Stars..
Did I tell you? I love you.
It’s a very woodsy trail but it is very narrow. Lots of it was concrete but overgrown. There are natural trails also. There’s lots of poison ivy. First thing that happened when I walked in, some guy with two unleashed dogs, they came running at me barking. So of course that is really rude honestly for people to do that kind of thing. Then within seconds, I turn a corner and there is a homeless man camped out with all his stuff sleeping on the trail. Big cart, chair, bags, the whole nine yards like you see on the subway. Clearly the parks dep ignores this park and its trails. If you want an adventure, the trail is kinda cool, there is some scrambling over trees and uneven terrain, and it’s very overgrown so it’s really like being in a real forest. But don’t come here expecting a clear walk on a wide, kept up trail. It is the kind of trail you feel like you shouldn’t do alone, I think women would feel uncomfortable here.
The park definitely needs more trees for shade around by the field area it’s too open and blazing hot it’s great to take a walk around at several times to get in your walking but not while you’re toasting it needs more High tall trees to give shade along the pathway I had to give up because I was just simply too hot and the trails that you have almost warnings that say not responsible for ticks snakes and any conditions that you may get from them that’s not exactly an appealing invitation to take your trails you should do some organization of those trails to make sure that people aren’t going to get bit or sick there was nobody on your trails and when I say nobody I mean empty nobody wants to go on those Trails because of your danger warning so what’s the point of having it you’re wasting your time unless you clean them up enough so that people don’t run into dangerous of getting sick or animal bites it’s a very crazy kind of Warning Sign you have that I suggest redoing it