The Heritage Trails of Conference House Park were created by the Tottenville Historical Society in collaboration with NYC Parks to build a greater relationship between people and the park’s natural environment by fostering an understanding of the area’s mostly forgotten history and maritime heritage. Inside Beach and Outside Beach were place names commonly used by locals during the early to mid-20th century. Generally, Inside Beach refers to the waterfront from Ward’s Point to Bentley St. Outside Beach also starts at Ward’s Point and runs in the opposite direction to Page Ave. The Heritage Trail markers in the park contain QR codes that, once scanned with your smartphone, will direct you to the content found here. We hope you will enjoy walking these trails and the opportunity to connect with nature, history and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Inside Beach is the historic name for the waterfront area that begins at Ward’s Point and ends at Bentley St. The area is rich in evidence of Native American habitation. The waterfront has been utilized for both economic development as well as recreation and general enjoyment since the 19th century.
Outside Beach is the historic name for the waterfront area from Ward’s Point to Page Ave. Historically, only the northern half of this stretch of beach has been developed or used for recreation, from Manhattan St. to Page Ave. The beachfront is accessible while the interior is rich in wetlands.
