Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

Highlights

Gerritsen Ballfields

Gerritsen Beach is part of the greater neighborhood of Marine Park, and takes its name from Dutch colonist Wolphert Gerritsen, one of the first settlers of the land.… Read More

Gerritsen Creek

Marine Park occupies the westernmost inlet of Jamaica Bay. The bay itself was formed over the past five thousand years, as ocean currents deposited strips of sand along… Read More

Glaciers in Marine Park

The landscape of Marine Park clearly shows the influence of the most recent Ice Age. The park sits atop land left by a melting ice sheet. Around 1.5 million years ago,… Read More

Horseshoe Crabs in New York City Parks - Rockaway Beach

Every May and June, horseshoe crabs emerge from the Atlantic Ocean onto Rockaway Beach. Female horseshoe crabs arrive on the beach to lay their eggs, with their male… Read More

Jamaica Bay Park - Horseshoe Crabs in New York City

Every May and June, horseshoe crabs emerge from the sea onto the beaches at Jamaica Bay Park. Female horseshoe crabs arrive on the beaches to lay their eggs, with their… Read More

Joseph F. DiNapoli Playground

Joseph F. DiNapoli (1935-1989) was a longtime parks worker and active member of the Canarsie community. The Brooklyn native grew up in East New York and lived with his… Read More

Leif Ericson Drive

Leif Ericson (c.960-c.1020), for whom this stretch of the Belt Parkway (from Fort Hamilton Parkway to Knapp Street) is named, was probably the first European to set foot… Read More

Lenape Playground

This beautiful playground honors the Lenape, who were the original inhabitants of New York City and the surrounding territory. For thousands of years before the arrival… Read More

Lew Fidler Park

What was here before? This was once the site of Hog Creek which separated Plum Island from Brooklyn. The creek was filled in 1930 and shortly after construction began… Read More

Marine Park - Horseshoe Crabs in New York City Parks

Every May and June, horseshoe crabs emerge from Gerritsen Creek and Marine Park Creek onto the beaches at Marine Park. Female horseshoe crabs arrive on the beaches to lay… Read More

Know Before You Go

Paerdegat Basin Park