East Shore, Staten Island facts for kids
The East Shore is a group of neighborhoods in Staten Island, New York City. It's located along the Lower New York Bay and the Raritan Bay. This area is known for its beautiful waterfront views and diverse communities.
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Where is the East Shore?
The East Shore stretches along the eastern side of Staten Island. To the north, it starts near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the Staten Island Expressway. To the south, it reaches the end of Gateway National Recreation Area (also known as Great Kills Park). The Lower New York Bay is to its east.
Many neighborhoods are part of the East Shore. These include Arrochar, South Beach, Grasmere, Dongan Hills, Grant City, Midland Beach, New Dorp, Oakwood, Old Town, Richmondtown, and Bay Terrace. Part of Todt Hill is also included. Sometimes, Rosebank, Shore Acres, and Fort Wadsworth are also considered East Shore neighborhoods.
History of the East Shore
For a long time, most of the East Shore was farmland. This changed a lot after World War II. Many new homes were built in the 1950s.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
The biggest change happened after the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened in November 1964. This bridge connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. After the bridge opened, many families moved to the East Shore from Brooklyn. They were looking for new homes and communities.
Growing Diversity
Over the years, the East Shore has become very diverse. Many Italian-American and Irish-American families have lived here for a long time. Since the early 2000s, more people from Eastern Europe have moved to the area. Today, you can find strong communities of Russians, Poles, and Albanians. There is also a growing Chinese-American population, especially in Arrochar.
Fun Places to Visit
The East Shore has many interesting places to explore.
New Dorp Lane
The main shopping area of the East Shore is in New Dorp. This is near New Dorp Lane, which is right in the middle of the region. Hylan Boulevard is a big road that connects all the East Shore neighborhoods.
Historic Sites and Parks
Some popular spots include:
- Historic Richmond Town: This is a living history village where you can see what life was like in the past.
- Tibetan Museum: Located on Lighthouse Hill, this museum has a unique collection of Tibetan art.
- Moravian Cemetery: This historic cemetery is where members of the famous Vanderbilt family are buried.
- Staten Island Greenbelt: A large part of this beautiful natural area, with forests and trails, is on the East Shore.
East Shore Seawall Project
There is a plan to build a long seawall and walkway along the East Shore. It's called the East Shore Seawall or Staten Island Multi-Use Elevated Promenade. It would be about 5.2 miles long. This path would run along the Narrows and Lower New York Bay. It would stretch from Fort Wadsworth in the north to Great Kills Park in the south.
