Idlewild Park

Idlewild Park is a 180.85-acre park and nature preserve in the Springfield Gardens section of southeastern Queens, adjacent to John F. Kennedy International Airport. The park takes its name from the Idlewild Golf Course that once occupied the site, which in turn was named for the original name of JFK Airport: New York International Airport, Idlewild.

The park's location beneath the flight path of one of the world's busiest airports creates a unique sensory experience: the constant overhead passage of aircraft from around the world adds a dramatic and ever-changing soundtrack to the park's otherwise tranquil wetlands and meadows.

Idlewild Park includes significant natural areas including freshwater wetlands, ponds, and meadows that support populations of birds, turtles, and native plants. The wetlands are connected to the broader Jamaica Bay watershed and provide important ecological functions including flood mitigation and water filtration.

The park's recreational facilities include athletic fields, walking trails, and areas for fishing and nature observation. The park serves the surrounding communities of Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Laurelton, predominantly African American and Caribbean American neighborhoods with limited access to large-scale green space.

Idlewild Park's combination of natural wetlands, athletic facilities, and proximity to a major international airport makes it one of the most unusual parks in the city: a place where the roar of jet engines mingles with the calls of herons, and where children play soccer beneath the glide path of aircraft arriving from every continent.