Gazing across the expanse of Creek Park, can you envision this landscape’s dramatic transformation? Creek Park wasn’t always the serene natural haven you see today. This park, nestled along Jamaica Bay, has a history as layered as the sediment beneath our feet. Creek Park started as a marshland, a place where Spring Creek and other smaller waterways meandered towards the bay. In the 1930s, this area was recognized for its potential as a park. However, the marshy terrain presented a challenge. The solution? Landfilling. Over decades, tons of material, including municipal waste, were used to fill the marsh, reshaping the land into what we see today. The southern part of Creek Park, known as Spring Creek South or Lower Spring Creek, became part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in 1974 and is managed by the National Park Service. Spring Creek North or Upper Spring Creek, north of the Belt Parkway, is a “Forever Wild” nature preserve overseen by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Interestingly, despite its protected status, Spring Creek North houses a water treatment plant and a former incinerator now used for composting. Near the Gateway Center shopping mall, you’ll find the third section of Creek Park. This area, constructed in 2003, features man-made wetlands that filter stormwater runoff from the mall. It even boasts the Roy Sweeney Cricket Oval, the first New York City park field specifically designed for cricket, complete with a comfort station built in 2013. Creek Park’s history is not without its darker moments. Sadly, the park has been the site of tragic incidents, reminding us of the complexities within urban spaces. Today, Creek Park offers a mix of natural and recreational spaces. Its unique history, from marshland to landfill to park, provides a compelling narrative of how urban landscapes evolve, often in unexpected ways. As you stroll through its pathways, listen closely. The rustling leaves and the calls of the birds whisper tales of a vibrant past and a resilient present.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to