Fresh Creek Nature Preserve Hiking Trails

Fresh Creek Nature Preserve is a haven for birds, butterflies, and aquatic life tucked away at the east end of Brooklyn. Along with neighboring Four Sparrow Marsh and Spring Creek Park, Fresh Creek Park helps protect the Jamaica Bay ecosystem. Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary that provides a unique environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. A trail along Louisiana Avenue winds past a 42-acre salt marsh to lookouts where you can take in the beauty of the preserve and enjoy watching some of the 325 species of birds that visit Jamaica Bay every year. Much of the park is constructed landscape designed to manage stormwater runoff. It was designated in 1996 as a nature preserve. Not all of Fresh Creek is accessible to the public, but the tranquil land off of its eastern shore provides a haven for birdwatching. Walks along the path along the marsh offer the opportunity to catch rare glimpses of untamed Brooklyn.

Fresh Creek Path: This path starts at northernmost Louisiana Ave entrance just south of Twin Pines Drive. At the first intersection, continue straight ahead, remaining parallel to Louisiana Ave. Continue onto the mulch path as it turns to the right, leading you to an overlook of Fresh Creek, with a view of a small sandy beach and native marsh. Loop around back to the path and return to your starting point. This walk is a mile long roundtrip.

Interactive Map

Points of Interest

Creek Overlook

Located near the park entrance, this vantage point offers visitors a scenic view of Fresh Creek. There are informative interpretive signs in this area providing insights into the park's flora and fauna. Similar interpretive signs can also be found at other locations throughout the park.

View Creek Overlook on the map

Beach Overlook

At the southern end of the park, a boardwalk overlooks a small section of sandy shorefront of Fresh Creek. In addition to the sandy beach, one can see an interesting mix of native salt marsh plants such as saltmarsh cordgrass, salt marsh aster, sea lavender, and common glasswort.

View Beach Overlook on the map

Hiking in NYC Parks

Visit our Hiking in NYC Parks page to find more nature trails in parks across New York City.