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Great Kills is a neighborhood within New York City's borough of Staten Island. It is located on the island's South Shore, and according to many local geographers, it is the South Shore's northernmost community. It is bordered by Richmondtown to the north, Oakwood to the east, Eltingville to the west, and the Great Kills Harbor to the south.
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Map of Great Kills, Staten Island, NY, USA
Kill is an archaic Dutch word with various popular translations, including "creek" and "channel;" indeed, many small streams dot the neighborhood, and the name can be interpreted as meaning that a great number of such streams can be found there.
The ZIP Code for Great Kills is 10308. The neighborhood is represented in the New York City Council by Joe Borelli.
History
The eastern half of what has been known since 1865 as Great Kills was originally named Cairedon, and the western half was named Newtown. Both later came to be known as Giffords, after Daniel Gifford, a local commissioner and surveyor. The name survives in Giffords Lane, which is located at the Staten Island Railway station, which was also formerly named Giffords and in Giffords Glen, which also near the train station. Another name associated with the neighborhood is Honeywood, which survived as the name of the telephone exchange for many South Shore communities through the late 1950s.
The Poillon-Seguine-Britton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Features
This neighborhood is home to Great Kills Little League, one of the 8 little leagues on Staten Island. Actor Rick Schroder lived in the community as a child, as did actress Alyssa Milano, comedian Bob Levy and new ESPN anchor Joe Engle.
At the southeastern corner of the neighborhood is Great Kills Park, a national park site that is part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The park includes a beach, marina, trails, fishing and bird-watching areas and sports fields.
Facilities
FDNY Engine Company 162/Ladder Company 82 and Battalion 23, serve Great Kills from quarters on Nelson Ave and Myra S. Barnes I.S.24 one of Staten Island's middle schools. Firefighter Scott Davidson, lost in the 9-11 attacks, attended I.S. 24.
Myra S. Barnes I.S. 24 was named after an educator and civic activist, also known as "The Fighting Lady of New Dorp." Ms. Barnes was well known for her contributions to the New York City Council.
New York Public Library operates the Great Kills Branch at 56 Giffords Lane at Margaret Street.
Transportation
Great Kills is served by the Staten Island Railway and numerous local and express buses. The Staten Island Railway serves the neighborhood via the Great Kills station located at Giffords Lane near Amboy Road. Express train service to the St. George Ferry Terminal is maintained during the morning and evening weekday rush hours, while local trains serve the station 24/7. Local buses are the S54, S74, S78, S79, S84, and express buses are the X1, X4, X5, X7, X8, X15, X24.