Cunningham Park: Trails, Recreation and Getting There

Cunningham Park covers 358.00 acres in Queens and ranks among the borough’s largest parks, according to NYC Parks. The city assembled the park between 1928 and 1944; it received its current name in 1934.

The park stretches across several ZIP codes: 11364, 11366, 11423 and 11427. NYC Parks gives its location as the area around Horace Harding Expressway and Grand Central Parkway. Its park ID is Q021, and it falls within Community Board 8.

One notable feature is the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, which NYC Parks identifies as a park highlight. It has been car-free since 1938. For another outdoor stop in Queens, you can read this guide to Captain Tilly Park; for a change of pace in Jamaica, see the guide to King Manor Museum.

Cunningham Park’s mapped trails include the Orange Trail, the White Trail and an unnamed trail, alongside the Southeast and Southwest Preserves. The map also marks vernal ponds for migratory-bird viewing and a separate vernal-pond area for amphibians.

These named areas give you a useful starting point for choosing where to walk; check the current NYC Parks information before setting out, as trail details can change.

There is more to do than walk. NYC Parks lists bicycling and greenways, natural areas, fitness equipment, and dog-friendly areas, as well as facilities for team and court sports. The options include baseball and football fields, basketball, tennis, volleyball, bocce and cricket facilities, and soccer fields. The park also has playgrounds and spray showers.

For a slower stop, the park has barbecuing areas and public restrooms, along with Wi-Fi hot spots. NYC Parks places a barbecuing area at Union Turnpike and Francis Lewis Boulevard. If an activity requires a permit, written authorization must be in place before it begins.

Cunningham Park is about a 12-minute drive from Hotel Pergola Jamaica JFK. If you’re staying at Hotel Pergola Jamaica JFK, that gives you a nearby outdoor option in Hollis. The park’s listed location around Horace Harding Expressway and Grand Central Parkway can help you orient yourself when planning a route.

Local buses also serve the area. The MTA Queens map shows the Q75 and Q30 near Cunningham Park, and the Q1 and Q2 near Hollis. The MTA describes the map as showing typical weekday service, and routes or service patterns may vary. Check the MTA’s current information when planning public transport rather than relying on the map alone.

NYC Parks sets general park-use hours at 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., unless different hours are posted at the park. The agency may close the park, or part of it, when a threat to public health or safety exists.

Check the official site before you go, especially if you’re planning an activity that depends on a particular facility or access point.

For questions, NYC Parks lists the park’s telephone number as (718) 217-6452. Keep in mind that facilities and access arrangements can change; confirm the details directly with NYC Parks before making plans around them.

The park’s combination of trails, natural areas and recreation facilities means you can plan a visit around a walk, a sport or time outdoors.

If you’re heading to a specific facility, check its current availability and any permit requirements with NYC Parks. For a trail walk, use the park’s trail names and preserve areas as a guide, and confirm current trail information before you go.