Have you ever felt the pull of forgotten stories? Here in Sommerville Basin the whispers of the past linger. This small Jamaica Bay inlet sits between Arverne and Edgemere in Queens. It’s more than just water. Sommerville Basin holds the secrets of a landfill’s long life. It’s a place where the echoes of industry and nature intertwine.
For decades the Edgemere Landfill dominated this landscape. It operated for over fifty years. The landfill accepted millions of cubic yards of waste. This included toxic chemicals and waste oil. The landfill even attracted thousands of gulls posing a danger to nearby JFK Airport. Imagine the sight of those birds against the skyline of Lower and Midtown Manhattan.
Eventually the Edgemere Landfill was closed in 1991. A massive cleanup followed. Seven hundred thousand cubic yards of topsoil capped the landfill. Barges not trucks brought this soil. Special piers were built for this project. These are now fishing platforms in Rockaway Community Park. A testament to the city’s efforts to reclaim this land.
The Sommerville Basin today is a quieter place. Marina 59 stands as a reminder of the area’s past. It’s a small marina storing fishing vessels. It’s even home to a herd of goats. They keep the weeds at bay. Abandoned boats sit alongside those actively used. The names of these boats tell their own stories. “Parking Lot Pimp” “Beeracuda” “Like It Wet III”.
But even in this seemingly forgotten corner of Queens there is rebirth. The Boggsville Boatel and Boat-In Theater recently opened. This unique resort uses refurbished abandoned boats. For a donation visitors can spend a night aboard. They can enjoy a movie or lecture. The city’s sounds fade as the gentle waves rock the platform. The Sommerville Basin offers surprising peace.
So next time you stand before this basin remember its story. It’s a tale of environmental challenges and community resilience. A story of transformation from toxic dump to a peaceful refuge. It’s a hidden gem of New York City. A place where the past and the present find unexpected harmony. Sommerville Basin invites you to reflect on its fascinating journey. A story etched in its waters and whispered on the breeze.