Canarsie Pol facts for kids

Looking south at Canarsie Pol from Shirley Chisholm State Park.

Canarsie Pol is a special island located in Jamaica Bay, New York City. It sits just south of a part of Brooklyn called Canarsie. This island is uninhabited, meaning no people live there. It is also part of a large natural area known as Gateway National Recreation Area.

What is Canarsie Pol?

Canarsie Pol is an island shaped like an irregular oval. It covers about 300 acres, which is a little over 1.2 square kilometers. This makes it a pretty big natural spot in the middle of the water. The island is about 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level.

Where is Canarsie Pol located?

This island is found in Jamaica Bay, a large body of water near New York City. It's specifically located just south of the Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn. You can see other islands and marshy areas nearby in the bay.

How did Canarsie Pol get bigger?

Maps from 1910 show that Canarsie Pol was much smaller a long time ago. The island grew larger because of a process called dredging. This is when sand and soil are dug up from the bottom of waterways. Workers did this to make the nearby channels deeper for boats. The extra sand and soil were then piled onto Canarsie Pol, making it much bigger than it used to be.

What can you do at Canarsie Pol?

Canarsie Pol is a popular place for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy going there in kayaks. They often start their trip from the Canarsie Pier. It's a great spot for exploring nature and enjoying the water.