New Creek (Staten Island) facts for kids
The New Creek is a cool little waterway, or an urban stream, located on the East Shore of Staten Island, which is part of New York City. This creek gets its water from many natural springs hidden in the ground nearby. Long ago, the Lenape people, who were the original inhabitants of this land, used these springs. When European settlers arrived in the 1600s and more people moved in, many of these natural springs were directed underground as the city grew.
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What is the New Creek Watershed?
The New Creek area, called a watershed, is pretty big! It covers about 2,220 acres (9.0 km2) (that's about 9 square kilometers). A watershed is like a giant bowl where all the rain and water eventually flow into one main stream or river. This area used to have lots of marshland, which is a type of wetland. These marshlands were home to many different plants and animals.
A Home for Plants and Animals
Before the 1960s, a special grass called Spartina grew really well in the tidal wetlands here. Tidal wetlands are areas that get covered by ocean water when the tide comes in and then uncovered when it goes out. However, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation later worked on restoring the shore and building a park. This project accidentally blocked some of the tidal flow, changing the marshland.
Even with these changes, the New Creek watershed is still important for nature. Some of the native plants you can find here include the beautiful Rose Mallow, a plant with large, colorful flowers. You might also spot Soft Rush, which is a type of grass-like plant, and Bladder Sedge, another wetland plant.
Where Does New Creek Flow?
The main part of the New Creek flows right through the neighborhood of Midland Beach. But the larger watershed area, which collects water for the creek, also covers other neighborhoods. These include Dongan Hills, Grant City, and Todt Hill.
The Bluebelt Project
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is working on an amazing project called the Bluebelt. This project is designed to protect and restore natural drainage systems, like streams and wetlands, across Staten Island. It helps manage rainwater and keeps the environment healthy. The Bluebelt project includes many areas along the east and south shores of Staten Island, helping to preserve places like New Creek for future generations.
