Gerritsen Creek facts for kids
Gerritsen Creek is a short waterway in Brooklyn, New York City. It flows into a larger area of water called Jamaica Bay. Imagine it like one of the "fingers" that shaped the original edge of Jamaica Bay a long, long time ago. This creek is special because it's located just beyond where a giant ice sheet, called the Wisconsin Glacier, once reached.
Where Gerritsen Creek Flows
Today, Gerritsen Creek starts near a street called Avenue U. But a long time ago, its beginning was much farther north, about eight streets away in a neighborhood now called Midwood. In that area, some streets like Bay Avenue and Olean Street run at an angle. They show where the creek used to flow.
By the early 1900s, the creek had become shorter. It ended near Nostrand Avenue and Kings Highway. This part of the creek, which flowed through the Marine Park neighborhood, was buried underground in a storm sewer in 1920.
The end of the creek and much of what's left of it are now part of a public place called Marine Park. At the top of the creek, you can find the Salt Marsh Nature Center. A small, man-made island called Mau Mau Island is also nearby.
Long ago, there was a mill and a dam on the creek. The pond behind the dam stretched quite far. In recent years, people have been working hard to bring parts of the creek back to how they were naturally. This is especially true for the salt marsh near where the creek meets the bay. In 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers set aside $8.3 million to help with this important restoration work.
History and Use of Gerritsen Creek
Scientists have found that Native American people began living near Gerritsen Creek as early as 5000 BC. The creek's name comes from a historic grist mill that was built on its shore in the 1600s. This mill was very special because it was a tide mill, the first one ever built in North America. It was built when the area was settled by the Dutch.
The mill was used for hundreds of years, until 1890. Some people wanted to save the old building because of its history. Even the Mayor of New York City, Jimmy "Beau James" Walker, came to see it. However, the building was not saved. It was abandoned and sadly burned down in 1935.
Sometimes, people leave old or broken boats near the mouth of the creek. A small company called White Cap Marine Towing and Salvage helps to remove these abandoned boats. They work to keep the area clear, making it safer and cleaner for everyone.
