Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve

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Type
  
Created
  
1977 (1977)

Area
  
265 acres (1.07 km)

Phone
  
+1 718-967-1976

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve

Location
  
83 Nielsen AvenueStaten Island, New York

Nearest city
  
Staten Island, New York

Address
  
83 Nielsen Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309, USA

Hours
  
Closing soon · 8:30AM–5PMMonday8:30AM–5PMTuesday8:30AM–5PMWednesday8:30AM–5PMThursday8:30AM–5PMFriday8:30AM–5PMSaturday8:30AM–5PMSunday8:30AM–5PM

Similar
  
Bayswater Point State Park, Roberto Clemente State Park, Haverstraw Beach State Park, Blauvelt State Park, Brentwood State Park

Profiles

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is 265-acre (1.07 km2) state park located near the southwestern shore of Staten Island, New York. It is the only state park located on Staten Island.

Contents

History

The park was the site of extensive mining of white kaolin clay in the 19th century that provided the raw material for bricks and terra cotta. After the abandonment of the quarrying operations, rainwater, natural springs, and vegetation filled in the pits. The preserve also contains archaeological evidence of settlements of the Lenape, early European settlers, and the Free Blacks of Sandy Ground.

The park was created in 1977 after extensive lobbying by the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, a local conservation organization.

In October 2008, an interpretive center opened on Nielsen Avenue with exhibits on the history of the Charleston area and wildlife and plants found within the park. The groundbreaking for the $1.3 million nature center was held on May 4, 2007. The 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) facility contains exhibit space, classrooms, and an outdoor pavilion.

Park description

The park is a 265-acre (1.07 km2) nature preserve, comprising wetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams, and woodlands. It includes pitch pine woods, and rare wildflowers such as cranberry, lizard-tail, possumhaw, and bog twayblade. The animal species found in the park include northern black racer snakes, box turtles, Fowler's toads, green frogs, and spring peepers. More than 170 bird species have been sighted in the park. Deer are also regularly seen there.

The purpose of the preserve is to retain the site's unique ecology, as well as to provide educational and recreational opportunities, such a nature walks, pond ecology programs, and birdwatching. Two hiking trails – the Abraham's Pond Trail and the Ellis Swamp Trail – are open to the public near the park headquarters, and horseback riding is permitted on five miles (8.0 km) of bridle paths.

The park has two designated areas which are set aside for endangered species and which are off-limits to the public.

References

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve Wikipedia


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