| Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve | |
|---|---|
    | |
| Type | State park |
| Location | 83 Nielsen Avenue Staten Island, New York[1] |
| Nearest city | Staten Island, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°32′28″N74°13′48″W / 40.541°N 74.230°W /40.541; -74.230 |
| Area | 265 acres (1.07 km2)[2] |
| Created | 1977 (1977)[3] |
| Operated by | New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Visitors | 47,415 (in 2021)[4] |
| Open | All year |
| Website | Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve |
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is 265-acre (1.07 km2)state park[2] located near the southwestern shore ofStaten Island,New York.[5] It is the only state park located on Staten Island.
The park was the site of extensive mining of whitekaolin clay in the 19th century that provided the raw material for bricks andterra cotta. After the abandonment of the quarrying operations, rainwater, natural springs, and vegetation filled in the pits.[3] The preserve also containsarchaeological evidence of settlements of theLenape, earlyEuropean settlers, and the Free Blacks ofSandy Ground.
The park was created in 1977 after extensive lobbying by theProtectors of Pine Oak Woods, a localconservation organization.[3]
Groundbreaking for a $1.3 million nature center was held on May 4, 2007.[6] In October 2008, the center opened with exhibits on the history of theCharleston area and wildlife and plants found within the park.[7] The 3,000-square-foot (280 m2) facility contains exhibit space, classrooms, and an outdoor pavilion.[6]
The park is a 265-acre (1.07 km2) nature preserve, comprisingwetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams, and woodlands. It includespine barrens, and rarewildflowers such ascranberry,lizard-tail,possumhaw, andbog twayblade. The animal species found in the park includenorthern black racer snakes,box turtles,eastern fence lizards,Fowler's toads,green frogs, andspring peepers. More than 170bird species have been sighted in the park.White-tailed 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, andbirdwatching. 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 are off-limits to the public.[3]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
