The Club at Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island, NY

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Pros

• The park offers great walking paths, fields, a playground, a lake, and BBQ facilities.
• For nature lovers, the park is a must-see.
• It is equipped with restrooms and water fountains, and seasonal rowboat rentals are available at a very reasonable price.
• The park is a wonderful place to visit alone, with friends, or with family.
• The space is beautiful and serene.
• It is a free and peaceful place on Staten Island.
• It is perfect for walks by the lake, jogging, and family-friendly activities.
• The park welcomes dogs and is suitable for kids, with shaded trails and well-maintained paths.
• There is a central pond and plenty of space to walk, relax, and picnic.
• The area features a nice restaurant, playgrounds for kids, and boat rentals.
• It is a real Staten Island gem with abundant spots to walk, relax, and bird watch.
• The park is majestic, with many trees, water views, and charming bridges.

Cons

• The park is extremely dirty.
• There is a lack of maintenance.
• There are no public restrooms in the lower side.
• There is only one kids' playground across the forest.
• Paths are closed and no work is being done.

Review

The Club at Clove Lakes Park is best suited for active, independent seniors and families who want meaningful outdoor time and low-key social moments rather than daily care or structured programming. It functions as a generous urban park experience, lush trails, lakes, birdwatching, picnic spaces, and casual dining, that can support a day-out or a relaxed weekend routine. For someone who wants a serene, nature-forward outing with flexible activity options, this site shines. It does not operate as a care community and offers no on-site medical oversight, so it should not be viewed as a substitute for an assisted living arrangement.

Those evaluating long-term care or daily-assisted living needs will want to consider alternatives. The reviews consistently show a park built for recreation and recreation-alone, not for ongoing supervision, medication management, or memory-care support. If a loved one requires regular assistance, scheduled meals, or secure living accommodations, the park setting offers no wraparound services and thus cannot meet essential requirements. In short, this is not a care facility; it is a landscape for activity and social time that should be used in concert with a suitable care plan elsewhere.

The most compelling pros center on scale and variety of outdoor experiences. The park is described as expansive and picturesque, with walking paths that accommodate different paces, water views around two lakes, and ample space for dogs, kids, and multi-generational visits. Wildlife sightings, turkeys, deer, turtles, and birds, offer regular, low-intensity enrichment that can be restorative for seniors seeking calm, nature-based engagement. The presence of a restaurant venue (the Stone House) supports social stops and casual dining without leaving the grounds, and seasonal boat rentals add a dash of recreational options for those who can enjoy a gentle boat outing. For families, the site remains a reliable go-to for picnics, playground visits, and a safe, open environment.

Several notable drawbacks temper the park’s otherwise strong outdoor appeal. A recurring theme in the feedback is maintenance inconsistency: some areas feel pristine, while others face dirtier conditions and a sense of neglect. Notably, there are reports of limited or uneven maintenance needs, with references to areas that could be cleaner and to a lower side lacking public restrooms. A portion of amenities can be unavailable due to renovations or closures, including paths and playground spaces, which can disrupt planning for seniors who rely on predictable access. While the site remains serene and scenic, these fluctuations can complicate visits for someone who values reliability and accessibility in a lifestyle plan.

The key to leveraging the park’s strengths while mitigating its weaknesses lies in clear alignment with care needs and a pragmatic visit strategy. For independent or semi-dependent seniors, the park offers a meaningful, cost-effective outdoor outlet that can complement an assisted living plan: flexible outings, socializing in a low-stress environment, and opportunities for light physical activity without institutional constraints. However, the lack of on-site care, the potential for renovations, and uneven maintenance mean the park cannot substitute for the routine support required by residents with significant health or mobility needs. When the goal is sustained wellness through structured programming and supervision, this site should be treated as a rewarding adjunct rather than a foundation.

Practical next steps for families are straightforward. Prioritize visits during favorable weather to maximize comfort and safety, and verify current conditions on the park’s official channels before planning a trip, given that renovations and closures can affect access. Bring a companion to assist with mobility and monitoring, especially if weather changes or crowding occur. Use the park as a social and recreational anchor, pack a light lunch, arrange meetups with friends, and schedule a casual stroll that fits a loved one’s energy level. Importantly, couple any outing with a visit to vetted assisted living communities that provide on-site care, programming, and 24/7 oversight, ensuring the care continuum is intact.

The bottom line is decisive: The Club at Clove Lakes Park excels as an outdoor, recreational escape for active seniors and families seeking flexible, low-cost engagement in a scenic Staten Island setting. It is not a substitute for assisted living or ongoing caregiving needs. For families weighing long-term options, the park represents a valuable enrichment resource to be woven into a broader care plan, not a replacement for one. When care demands dominate the decision, prioritize facilities that deliver daily support, structured activities, and medical oversight, and reserve park outings as reliable, enjoyable supplements that sustain well-being and connection without crossing into caregiving territory.

This part of Staten Island, New York offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS nearby, access to essential medications and healthcare services is easily accessible. There are also several cafes like Starbucks and restaurants like Heartland Bagels and Villa Monte Pizzeria & Restaurant within close proximity for socializing and enjoying meals. For outdoor activities, there are beautiful parks like Clove Lakes Park and Silver Lake Park with tennis courts available for recreational purposes. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians offices such as AdvantageCare Physicians and Premier Urology Group, as well as hospitals like NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn within a reasonable distance for medical care needs. Additionally, transportation options including Newark Liberty International Airport terminal are conveniently located for ease of travel when needed.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Dunkin (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.5 miles)
• Judy's (8.4 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (8.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Heartland Bagels (1.5 miles)
• Precious Island Dim Sum (3.8 miles)
• Villa Monte Pizzeria & Restaurant (4.5 miles)
• Bond Street Cafe (5.6 miles)
• Vanguard Kitchen (5.8 miles)
• Big Shots Sports Bar & Grill (8.1 miles)
• Jose Tejas (8.4 miles)

Parks

• Clove Lakes Park Playground (2.1 miles)
• Clove Lakes Park (2.7 miles)
• Silver Lake Park Tennis Courts (3.2 miles)
• Silver Lake Park (3.4 miles)
• Great Kills Park (3.6 miles)
• Stephen R Gregg Bayonne Park (5.2 miles)
• Bloomingdale Park (6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Staten Island 11 (2.3 miles)
• 2198 Amc Jersey Garden (3.3 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Staten Island (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• American Airlines Admirals Club (5.3 miles)
• Terminal A (5.3 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (5.3 miles)
• TSA PreCheck (5.4 miles)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) (5.5 miles)
• Terminal B (5.5 miles)
• Newark AirTrain Terminal B (5.5 miles)

Physicians

• AdvantageCare Physicians (5.8 miles)
• Leading Lasik Center (6.7 miles)
• Premier Urology Group (7.5 miles)
• Merck (7.6 miles)
• Kenilworth Primary Care (8.2 miles)
• Costco Optical (8.3 miles)

Hospitals

• NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn (7.5 miles)
• Maimonides Medical Center (8.5 miles)
• Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center (9.2 miles)