Marine Park nature trail offers relaxing escape from the city

For those who want to feel like they’re getting away from the city this summer, but also want to stay close to home, Marine Park is worth checking out.
The Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Trail is a wildlife adventure right in the heart of Brooklyn.
"This is my sanctuary. This is nature's spa,” says Dr. Gale Levine, of Marine Park.
Dr. Gale Levine lives across the street from Marine Park and usually walks the one-mile loop nature trail daily. She loves taking in all that nature has to offer along the gravel trail.
"It’s great for bird watching and wildlife, there’s a huge wildflower meadow out there,” says park ranger Louis Burns.
Burns says there are hundreds of bird species to look for like egrets catching small fish and crabs along the shoreline. It can all be seen from the hiking trail or out on the water.
"Kayaking is a great form of recreation out here, the beach over there is actually a kayak launch,” says Burns.
The salt marsh is an inlet of Jamaica Bay where it mixes with the freshwater of Gerritsen Creek. Fishing is allowed on the shoreline, but not on the nature trail side of the park.
"It’s a great get away from the noise of the city up there, you can walk out there and feel like you’re not even in New York,” says Burns.