Exploring New York City’s Largest Remaining Forest and More Stories On Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  — On this episode of the OnSI podcast… The pandemic has many rethinking travel plans this summer. But, staycationing, doesn’t mean you have to scratch natural wonders off your seasonal to-do list. Why many Islanders have their sights set on exploring New York City’s largest remaining forestland.

“Whether it’s the carousel, High Rock Park, Moses Mountain, or Lake Orbach, come on out, enjoy the trails, it’s a wonderful place to be,” said Steve Cain, the Executive Director of the Greenbelt Conservancy.

Also this month, a year ago, Staten Islanders were just coming to grips with the effects of COVID-19 on daily life. As we all grappled with the aftermath of this new virus, local business owners were some of the first to feel its impact and offer assistance where they could. A progress report from one borough favorite who is weathering the ongoing storm.

“At first they were telling us to help flatten the curve, I was thinking that this was going to be short term,” said James McBratney, the Owner of Jimmy Max Pizzeria and Restaurant in Westerleigh.

Plus, this episode’s “Local Hero of the Month” is a uniformed leader who goes above and beyond the call of duty to better serve the Staten Island community he and his family call home.

OnSI is made possible with funding from Tom and Suzanne Crimmins, Owners of Tom Crimmins Realty, the Staten Island-based real estate firm that has made a name for itself for more than a decade as a local, independent, family-run business that knows the neighborhoods it serves.