Evergreen Parks to Explore this Winter

When the leaves are gone for wintertime, you can still enjoy some greenery at our evergreen parks!

Pines, firs, spruces, and other conifers tend to stay green year-round. They can be an extra treat during the dead of winter when snow blankets the city. Conifers, characterized by cones, grow in many of our parks throughout the city. If you're pining for spring, visit these unique stands of trees in our evergreens oases! While you visit, keep your eyes peeled for winter birds, such as owls, that love to rest high up in the cover of the trees and the squirrels that scurry around in search of pine nuts.

Please exercise caution around trees. During storms, trees and limbs may become weakened and can fall. If you spot a damaged tree, please submit a tree service request to 3-1-1. 

Central Park Arthur Ross Pinetum, Manhattan

very tall evergreens grow in a grove covered in snow

Take a trip around the world in this striking collection of 17 different species of pines in the heart of Central Park! Discover the wispy Himalayan white pine and the blue blush of the Korean pine, and be sure to check out the ombre-like two-toned yellow pines. Some of the trees in the Pinetum are half a century years old and some are about 50-60 feet tall! Visit the Central Park Pinetum

More evergreen parks in Manhattan: Fort Tryon Park Pine Lawn

Conference House Park, Staten Island

conifers tower over an amphitheater style seating area in front of an old historic house on the hill

White pines are in abundance at Conference House Park, and are identified by having five pine needles in a cluster and long cylindrical cones covered in white sap. Take any trail towards New York's "south pole" found here in the park and you will discover a variety of pine and spruce trees, as well as another evergreen species called American holly! Visit Conference House Park

More evergreen parks on Staten Island: Hero Park

Forest Park Pine Grove, Queens

very tall pine trees and some younger ones covered in snowfall

The historic Pine Grove is home to trees more than 100 years old! As you explore the grove, located just off the blue trail, you'll discover giant eastern white pines (the largest conifer in the northeast), and some baby ones that were recently planted as part of a restoration project. When it snows, the grove turns into a magical snowglobe, perfect for enjoying winter in New York! Visit the Forest Park Pine Grove

Juniper Valley Park, Queens

upclose look at the white berries next to the needles on the branches

Juniper Valley Park, in Middle Village Queens, is named for the junipers that used to grow in the swamp that was here before the area was developed. Junipers are known for their "berries" which are really cones. Today, juniper trees grow here alongside a mix of other conifers that keep the park green all year long. Visit Juniper Valley Park

Hunter Island in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx

a trail leads through a pine grove

Hunter Island on the Kazimiroff Trail is home to gorgeous white pines and Norway spruces that owls love as well as other stately trees, including the park's oldest oak trees. Be sure to enjoy the view while you're here. From the island, you can see as far as Connecticut! Visit Pelham Bay Park

More evergreen parks in the Bronx: Franz Sigel Park

Owl's Head Park, Brooklyn

tall pine trees tower over the hill in the park

Nestled at the bottom of a hill overlooking New York Harbor, stately pines stand over 40 feet tall! Below these pines are a small grove of firs and young white pines. Across from Owl's Head Park Playground is a unique sight: a bald cypress. This tree has a wide base and fern-like leaves. Though it is an evergreen, this bald cypress tree will lose its leaves in the fall! The conifer's needles turn a beautiful burnt orange and then fall off until next spring. Visit Owl's Head Park

More evergreen parks in Brooklyn: Ecology Park

How to Identify Evergreen Trees

Most evergreen trees keep their leaves year-round; conifers are evergreen trees with needles for leaves! Their needles are clustered together in fascicles. Count the number of needles in each fascicle to determine which evergreen tree is in front of you! Watch our tour of the Central Park Pinetum to learn how to identify conifers: