Springfield Park natural area

Spanning 5.3 acres, Springfield Park, named after the surrounding neighborhood of Springfield Gardens, was originally known as “Spring Fields” because of its system of natural ponds and creeks. In 2015, restoration actions at Springfield Pond included construction of freshwater treatment wetlands upstream of the pond as well as dredging in the pond itself, as a part of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Bluebelt system for managing stormwater runoff.

The pond is brackish with some tidal influence from Springfield Creek, which flows through salt marshes adjacent to the Idlewild Nature Center, under Rockaway Boulevard to Thurston Basin behind JFK Airport, and into Jamaica Bay. Springfield pond supports a diversity of native grasses and shrubs along its shoreline, as well as fish and the occassional blue crab.