Dog Walkers in Broad Channel, New York

A great majority of Broad Channel is made up of flat terrain with no real hint of incline or descent. Even in the greener park areas of the island, the terrain is mostly evened out, making for an area that is fairly easy to navigate. The layout, full of dead-ends which branch off of a central roadway, is also easy to find your way around, though regardless of this, walkers should also be aware that certain areas of the neighborhood may be closer to the water, and therefore, less stable or more prone to flooding during particularly rainy seasons. Staying close to the more populated areas is ideal to avoid accidents, and shoes that can handle a little bit of water may come in handy throughout your walk. If you’re looking for natural, yet safer areas to wander while you’re out and about, the local parks may be a better area to explore.

While most of the island is occupied by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, there are still some other areas where locals and visitors alike can explore the greener areas of the neighborhood. Broad Channel American Park is the largest area, with baseball fields and other small amenities such as tennis courts and a playground. Most of this area is not fenced in and may provide protection for wildlife species, so double check the leash laws in the area before allowing any pets off-leash. While there are no intense hiking spots for those looking for something of that sort, the island still offers plenty of great views throughout and provides a decent balance between suburban and natural surrounding, but caution is still advised near the edges of the island as you get closer to Jamaica Bay. High tides and flooding may always be worth watching for, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the island’s other natural areas.