Fresh Kills Park
Rate this placeNearby: Freshkills Park Schmul Playground
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fresh Kills Park is a 2,200-acre park located in the state of New Jersey, which has undergone a transformation from a landfill to a world-class park.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is an excellent destination for visitors, and there are several reasons why one should visit the area.
One of the primary reasons to visit Fresh Kills Park is to enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities. The park features several walking and biking trails, birdwatching, and fishing opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding at the park's freshwater wetlands.
Fresh Kills Park has several points of interest that visitors should see. The North Park, which covers around 400 acres, features a bird observation tower, an elevated walkway, a picnic area, and a playground. The South Park, which covers around 500 acres, features a bike skills course, a dog park, and a kayak launch. The East Park, which covers around 1,200 acres, is currently under development and is expected to feature a variety of amenities, including a sports field.
An interesting fact about Fresh Kills Park is that it was once the largest landfill in the world, receiving up to 29,000 tons of garbage per day. The landfill was closed in 2001, and since then, the area has been transformed into a park.
The best time to visit Fresh Kills Park is during the fall season, from September to November. During this time, the park's foliage turns into vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow, making it a beautiful sight to see.
Overall, Fresh Kills Park is an excellent destination for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor recreational activities and appreciate nature's beauty. The park's transformation from a landfill to a world-class park is a testament to the power of environmental restoration, making it a must-see destination in the state of New Jersey.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Fort Wadsworth - Gateway National Rec Area
|
||
Camp Hudson
|
||
Cheesequake State Park
|
Freshkills Park
Schmul Playground
John Street Soccer Park
Salem Avenue Park
Carteret Park