Imagine vast marshlands transformed into a vibrant urban oasis. That’s Spring Creek Park for you. It sits along Jamaica Bay between Howard Beach Queens and Spring Creek Brooklyn.
Spring Creek Park wasn’t always the nature preserve we see today. Much of it was created on landfilled marshland. Only small parts are open to the public for recreation.
The park has three main sections. They surround Spring Creek and smaller waterways. Spring Creek South is in Queens. It features a marsh and forest. It hugs Howard Beach’s western and southern sides. Spring Creek North lies north of the Belt Parkway. It straddles the Brooklyn Queens border along Spring Creek. The third section surrounds the Gateway Center shopping mall. It’s also north of the Belt Parkway but on the Brooklyn side.
Interestingly, the southern part of Spring Creek Park falls under the Gateway National Recreation Area. The National Park Service manages it. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation oversees the northern and Gateway Center sections.
Back in 1930, the New York Park Association proposed a park along Spring Creek. Since the area was mostly marshland, they decided to build it on fill. Spring Creek Park got the green light in 1942. Landfilling started in 1949.
Temporary landfills operated here. They handled waste disposal until the South Shore Incinerator was ready in 1954. In 1974, the southern part of Spring Creek Park joined the Gateway National Recreation Area. The 1990s saw the northern section grow. This was through land acquisition. In 2003, The Related Companies added parkland during the Gateway Center construction. Shirley Chisholm State Park opened in 2019. It sits along the Brooklyn coastline, south of the Gateway Center section.
Spring Creek Park stretches west from Cross Bay Boulevard to Fresh Creek Basin. Most of it lies near the Belt Parkway. Spring Creek South was once a municipal garbage landfill. Today, it boasts upland forest, grassland, shrubland, and marshes. Locals sometimes call this area “the Weeds” or “the Baja” because of its wild vegetation.
Spring Creek North is a “Forever Wild” nature preserve. Chain-link fences surround it. This section contains the largest undeveloped salt marsh in northern Jamaica Bay. Many bird species and land animals call it home. Despite its protected status, Spring Creek North has two waste disposal facilities. A water treatment plant and the former South Shore Incinerator are here. The incinerator is now a cleaning garage and composting facility.
The Gateway Center parkland has constructed wetlands. These wetlands filter stormwater runoff from the mall’s parking lot. The water then flows into Hendrix Creek or the parkway wetlands. You’ll also find the Roy Sweeney Cricket Oval here. It was the first NYC park field specifically for cricket. A bikeway and running path circle the oval.
In 1948, a “Super Dump” was approved for Spring Creek Park. It was west of Howard Beach. This new dump would replace smaller landfills in Queens. It would operate until the South Shore Incinerator’s completion. Landfilling began in Howard Beach on January 17, 1949. By August, residents gave positive feedback about the absence of foul odors. The newly reclaimed land drew comparisons to Jones Beach.
During construction, workers mixed sewage sludge with sand. This created “synthetic topsoil.” They called this “Operation Sludge.”
So, as you explore Spring Creek Park, remember its journey. From marshland to landfill to vibrant park, it’s a testament to nature’s resilience. It also shows the dedication of those who envisioned a green space for all to enjoy.