Coney Island Creek
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Coney Island Creek is a Template:Convert<ref>Coney Island Creek Resiliency Study, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) – 2016.07.08, pages 14–15</ref> tidal inlet in Brooklyn, New York City. It was created from a series of streams and inlets by land filling and digging activities starting in the mid-18th century which, by the 19th century, became a Template:Convert continual strait and a partial mudflat connecting Gravesend Bay and Sheepshead Bay, separating Coney Island from the mainland. The strait was closed off in the early 20th century due to further land development and later construction projects.<ref>Template:Cite Hidden Waters NYC</ref> Today only the western half of Coney Island Creek exists. What once was a thriving fish and oyster population in salt marshes, freshwater streams, and expansive forests is now an unnatural environment wrecked by industrial pollution and construction debris.<ref name=":0" /> Urbanization of the city and man-made conditions have led to dumping of sewage and discarded materials, including cars and ship parts.<ref name=":0" /> Restoration projects are limited and most conservation efforts are seen to be performed by the local community.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Course
Coney Island Creek extends eastward Template:Convert from Gravesend Bay to Shell Road and separates the west end of Coney Island from the neighborhoods of Gravesend and Bath Beach. The west end of the creek is bordered by Coney Island Creek Park and Kaiser Park on the south side, and Calvert Vaux Park on the north side.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The creek is crossed by the Cropsey Avenue and Stillwell Avenue bridges as well as two parallel rail trestles carrying the West End and Sea Beach subway lines (respectively served by the Template:NYCS trains and Template:NYCS trains). The eastern end is bordered by the Shore Parkway on the north side and Neptune Avenue on the south side. The eastern portion of Coney Island Creek runs along private industrial property and several acres formerly owned by Keyspan, the local electricity provider. The creek terminates at Shell Road where a storm sewer emerges from under the road (designated stormwater outfall CI-641 in city plans).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Extensions and infilling
At the time of European settlement the land that makes up the present day Coney Island was several barrier islands with interconnecting waterways that were all constantly changing shape. Coney Island Creek was once primarily characterized by salt marshes, hardwood forests, and freshwater streams.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> The waterway that became Coney Island Creek did not originally extend across the back side of the island since part of the land on the west end was a peninsula called Coney Hook. Hubbard's Creek, which ran down the eastern side of the peninsula, connected directly with the ocean. In 1750 a 0.25-mile-long canal (called the "Jamaica Ditch") was dug through the Coney Hook salt-marsh from a creek connecting to Gravesend Bay east to Hubbard's creek.<ref>1884 history calls this other creek "Brown's Creek" and period maps show a mill pond in this area and call it "Mill Creek"</ref><ref>City in Environment – Evolution Coney Island</ref> This new waterway, allowing shipping traffic to travel from Jamaica Bay to New York Harbor without having to venture out into the ocean, connected Gravesend Bay and Sheepshead Bay together.<ref>William H. Stillwell, A History of the Town of Gravesend, N.Y., 1884, page 34</ref><ref>Coney Island History Project, Collection – Jamaica Ditch</ref> The waterway behind the islands was called Gravesend Creek in the early 19th century since it cut below the town of Gravesend (later the name was used interchangeably with "Coney Island Creek").<ref>New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Coney Island Creek Park</ref><ref>Cover G. Tremlett, In the Matter of the Application of the City of Brooklyn to Acquire the Property and Franchises of the Long Island Water Supply Company: Before ... Commissioners of Appraisal. Proceedings and Report of the Commissioners, 1893, page 273</ref> Eventually Hubbard's and the other creeks and inlets that separated the islands were filled by a combination of natural process and land development, leaving just a single island that came to be called Coney Island and a single creek behind it that came to be called Coney Island Creek.
In August 1776, the Battle of Brooklyn took place on the marshy fields of Gowanus and Red Hook, where a British invasion force was off of Staten Island, preparing to attack New York City.<ref name="www.nyhistory.org">Template:Cite web</ref> This battle continued through NY and ended up taking place on the beaches of Gravesend, which marked the beginning of the Battle of Brooklyn. This battle, also referred to as the Battle of Long Island, was the first major armed campaign for the colonies following their Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. This battle resulted in the retreat of General George Washington and the Continental Army from Brooklyn Heights, forcing them to cross the East River and regroup in Manhattan.<ref name="www.nyhistory.org" /> This battle showcases a significant part of U.S. history that happened at Coney Island Creek.
Coney Island Creek was still a minimally navigable waterway over its 3-mile length through the turn of the 20th century.<ref name="hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com">Sergey Kadinsky, Hidden Waters blog Companion blog for the book "Hidden Waters of NYC" Canal Avenue, Brooklyn</ref> By the early part of the century, industries started to develop around the creek. This resulted in it becoming polluted with substances including arsenic, cyanide, and benzene. The largest polluters included the Brooklyn Yarn Dye Company and the Brooklyn Union Gas Company.<ref name="Spivack 2021">Template:Cite web</ref>
In a period from the late 19th century through the early 20th century there were plans to turn the creek into the Gravesend Ship Canal.<ref>NYC Parks Dept Coney Island Creek Park</ref> It would re-dredge the creek into a canal running in a straight east–west line and fill all the marsh land on either side of the creek to expand the urban grid to the edge of the canal.<ref name="hiddenwatersblog.wordpress.com" /> The plan was eventually abandoned and by 1924 local land owners had filled a portion of the creek.<ref>Hidden Waters blog, Companion blog for the book "Hidden Waters of NYC" – Photo of the Week March 4, 2016</ref> A major section of the creek was further filled in to allow construction of the Belt Parkway in the 1930s. More fill was added in 1962 with the construction of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.<ref name="NYTimes-GhostShips-2006">Template:Cite web</ref> This turned Coney Island Creek into an inlet with the western and eastern ends of the island becoming peninsulas. None of the creek remains at the eastern end. That terminus, Sheepshead Bay, has been dredged and, for the most part, enclosed in bulkheads. The path of the landfill of what used to be the creek follows Shore Parkway, Guider Avenue, and the triangular block between Neptune Avenue and Cass Place to a bulkhead at Sheepshead Bay.
Current status
A northwestern part of the creek is known as a "ship graveyard" for the dead and abandoned ships found there.<ref name="NYTimes-GhostShips-2006" /><ref name="Untapped New York 2013">Template:Cite web</ref> At the southern shore of the creek, the remains of a Template:Convert yellow submarine, the Quester I, protrudes from the water. Built from salvaged metal in the late 1960s, it was never able to maintain an even keel and was abandoned.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There are other leftover shipwrecks left in the creek, but there origins are somewhat unknown. They either are left over from The Battle of Brooklyn, or they are left over from when the creek was somewhat active in the 20th century.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The creek is also used for performing baptisms.<ref name="Spivack 2021" /><ref name="Gothamist 2016">Template:Cite web</ref>
The health and behavior of marine life in Coney Island Creek have been impacted by environmental factors and human activities in previous years. Pollution from nearby urban development has degraded water quality, leading to harmful substances lingering in the water that could affect marine life.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the creek's confined space and fluctuating tides can trap marine animals, as evidenced by the 2013 incident involving a dolphin that became disoriented and stranded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This dolphin became trapped and was found dead in the creeks waterway.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Incidents like these showcase the challenges faced by marine life in adapting to their changing habitat. There is an obvious need for conservation efforts and better management of local waterways to protect these vulnerable species.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2016, the New York City government found that a nearby apartment complex, Beach Haven Apartments, was dumping Template:Convert of sewage each day into Coney Island Creek.<ref name="Gothamist 2016" /><ref name="Spivack 2016">Template:Cite web</ref> The complex was fined $400,000 two years later.<ref name="Zagare 2018">Template:Cite web</ref> By late 2016, local residents were advocating the designation of the creek as a Superfund site, which would provide funding to clean the hazardous materials from the creek. Community members testified that auto shops on nearby Neptune Avenue were still dumping cars into the creek.<ref name="Walker 2016">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Spivack 20162">Template:Cite web</ref> The creek was expected to undergo some minor cleanup between 2018 and 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By late 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was considering designating the creek as a Superfund site.<ref name="Adams 2020">Template:Cite web</ref> In a site inspection, the EPA found toxic levels of cyanide, iron, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the sediment and surface water samples of the Coney Island Creek.<ref name="cumulis.epa.gov">Template:Cite web</ref> However, the EPA has not yet called for an official cleanup of the creek nor designated it as a Superfund site despite the community still using the creek for recreational purposes.<ref name="cumulis.epa.gov" />
In 2018, the Coney Island History Project opened an exhibition about the history of the Coney Island creek titled: "Coney Island Creek and the Natural World."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In recent years, there have been several efforts made to help restore the ecosystem of Coney Island Creek, one of which being The Billion Oyster Project. The Billion Oyster Project is a significant initiative aimed at restoring the oyster population in New York Harbor, particularly in areas like Coney Island Creek.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the Billion Oyster Project focused on Coney Island Creek for several reasons.<ref name="Robertson 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> Historically, this area was home to a thriving oyster population, representing a crucial part of New York Harbor's natural heritage. By restoring oysters in Coney Island Creek, the project aims to demonstrate that even urban environments can support healthy ecosystems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The creek has faced significant pollution and degradation over the years, and the project seeks to improve water quality through the natural filtration capabilities of oysters, helping to mitigate the impacts of urban runoff and pollutants. Additionally, Coney Island Creek provides an accessible location for local community engagement and education, encouraging schools and community members to participate in hands-on restoration activities and fostering a sense of stewardship for the environment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The diverse habitats in the creek can benefit from the introduction of oyster reefs, promoting increased biodiversity essential for the overall health of the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, Coney Island Creek is vulnerable to flooding and erosion, particularly during storms, restoring oyster reefs contributes to natural coastal protection, helping to buffer against storm surges and enhance resilience. Overall, the Billion Oyster Project's focus on Coney Island Creek reflects a commitment to environmental restoration and community involvement in a vital urban area.<ref name="Robertson 2022" />
In 2020, the city planned to build a NYC Ferry dock along the creek off Kaiser Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ferry dock would be the terminal of a new route to Pier 11/Wall Street; the route, announced in 2019, was to have begun operations in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Plitt 2019">Template:Cite web</ref> Local activists rallied against the dock plan, arguing it would disrupt the ecosystems of the creek.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There were also concerns that the addition of ferry service would worsen pollution in the creek.<ref name="Adams 20202">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Michel 2020">Template:Cite web</ref> The implementation of the Coney Island ferry route was delayed and, in mid-2022, the EDC announced that the ferry route had been postponed indefinitely. One problem was that the sand in the Coney Island Creek shifted frequently, hampering efforts to construct a ferry pier there.<ref name="The City 2022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Crain's New York Business 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> Another issue was that the creek itself was heavily polluted, and a Superfund cleanup project was being planned for the creek.<ref name="The City 2022" /><ref name="Parks 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> Independent news site Hell Gate subsequently reported that test boats had repeatedly run aground in Coney Island Creek and that sand had returned to the creek after it was partially dredged in 2021.<ref name="Ramsay 2022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Hell Gate 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> A ferry in Coney Island Creek also faced much opposition from the local residents who believed it would lead to additional air, water, and noise pollution and reduce safe playing area for children and families.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Despite the recent restoration efforts over the years, Coney Island Creek is still filled with litter from the surrounding urban area and continues to affect the creek to this day.<ref name=":0" /> Washed up along the shore line of the creek are various types of garbage including plastic bags, broken pieces of glass.<ref name="City Limits 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> Along the creek bank, dead marine creatures have been found before such as horseshoe crabs, sand crabs, and shark eggs. This continues to demonstrate the need for greater restoration projects to recover Coney Island Creek and allow this ecosystem to become flourishing habitat for its native species once again.<ref name="City Limits 2023" />
Biodiversity
Urban wildlife
The Coney Island Creek, though within the highly developed area of Brooklyn, provides a very important habitat for various species, mainly birds, fish, and invertebrates.These tidal estuaries offer a peculiar combination of salt and fresh water that enables the tidal estuary to support various species.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This natural variation in salinity, along with the sheltered environment, creates the creek as an important breeding and feeding ground for many species. In a similar way, urban estuaries such as Coney Island Creek support ecological resilience by offering refuge to species and allowing populations to recover after disturbances. For example, meta-population dynamics, where semi-isolated groups of individuals can interbreed across habitats, can enhance the resilience of the native species, even in the urban environments. These environments further allow for adaptation by species to more environmental stressors, such as pollution and variable salinity levels.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The aquatic animals at Coney Island Creek exhibit high plasticity regarding their feeding and reproductive behaviors in response to changes in salinity, sediment conditions and urban runoff. Terrestrial species, including avian populations and small mammals, use urban vegetation and artificial structures like light poles and construction debris as refuge from inclement weather and nesting sites. These adaptations bring out the role of the creek as an important ecological corridor amidst intense urbanization.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Terrestrial species
As many as 244 bird species have been recorded at Coney Island Creek.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They include Horned larks, Snow buntings, and American oystercatchers. The visits of these various species of birds rely on migratory patterns that are influenced by changing environments, altered magnetic fields, necessity for breeding and food resources.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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- Horned larks (Eremophila alpestris): During their migration and winter seasons, the Horned Larks can be found in the large, open areas surrounding Coney Island Creek. They forage on the ground for seeds and insects, and with their brilliant camouflage, they blend well with the sand and litter that defines the creek landscape. They can thus be found here, adding to the importance of open and undisturbed patches of natural areas within an urban setting to maintain the populations of migratory birds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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- Snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis): This species of bird could be observed on the shores of Coney Island Creek and other nearby sandy or weedy areas in winter. The birds forage for seeds and shelter along the debris zones formed by tidal movements. This adaptation to shoreline habits underscores the role of the creek in providing seasonal resources for migratory songbirds, especially in urban settings where natural habitats are often scarce.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus): American Oystercatchers are sentinel shorebird species; they are commonly seen in large numbers during breeding and foraging in Coney Island Creek. These birds show a strong association with intertidal areas, where they forage for shellfish, crabs, and other marine organisms. The tide in the creek and the presence of a variety of food items make it a very vital habitat for these birds, indicating ecological interlinkages between urban waterways and their immediate environments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Aquatic species
The Coney Island creek once served as a diverse habitat for fish and shellfish species such as oysters, where they were once found in great numbers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Unfortunately, natural environmental processes have been disrupted by industrial runoff, combined sewer overflows, and habitat degradation. This has led to the loss of certain native species and reduced the overall resilience of the ecosystem.<ref name="nyc_coney-island-creek">Template:Cite web</ref> For example, pollution contributes to eutrophication, which depletes oxygen levels in the water, making it challenging for some species to survive.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Urbanization has also altered the creek's natural flow and salinity, crucial factors for aquatic biodiversity.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Some of the native aquatic species found at Coney Island Creek are the striped bass and Atlantic silverside.
- Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis): Striped bass are migratory, anadromous fish that utilize Coney Island Creek as a transitional habitat, particularly during migration between spawning grounds in freshwater and feeding grounds in marine environments. These fish are drawn to the creek due to its brackish waters, which offer a mix of saline and freshwater, supporting diverse prey species such as crustaceans and smaller fish. Striped bass play a significant role in the local food web by acting as apex predators, maintaining ecological balance in the creek's aquatic ecosystem.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
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- Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia): These small schooling fish are abundant in estuarine environments like Coney Island Creek, where they serve as a critical prey species for larger fish and birds. Atlantic silversides thrive in the creek due to its shallow waters, which provide protection from predators. Their high reproductive rate and adaptability to varying salinity levels make them a key component of the creek's biodiversity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Conservation efforts
Although, there has been some ecological and environmental setbacks, Coney Island creek has been the focus of various conservation efforts aimed at restoring ecological health and enhancing resilience to environmental challenges.<ref name="nyc_coney-island-creek" /> Some key initiatives include:
- Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP): To combat the negative impact of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) on Coney Island Creek, the New York City DEP created a Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP). This initiative focuses on upgrading infrastructure and implementing green projects to enhance water quality and protect marine ecosystems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Superfund Site Assessment:In response to community concerns about pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a preliminary assessment of Coney Island Creek. The assessment aimed at determining the extent of contamination that existed and evaluating whether further clean up efforts under the Superfund program was warranted or needed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
These conservation efforts, combined with the Billion Oyster project, represent a collaborative approach by government agencies, community organizations, and environmental groups toward restoring and preserving ecological integrity in Coney Island Creek.
References
External links
- ConeyIslandCreek.org
- Coney Island's Untamed Creek, Caught Between Past & Future
- CONEY ISLAND CREEK: An Uncertain Future