Coney Island Creek

About

Coney Island Creek is a 1.8-mile-long (2.9 km) tidal inlet in Brooklyn, New York City. It was created from a series of streams and inlets by land filling and digging activities starting in the mid-18th century which, by the 19th century, became a 3-mile-long (4.8 km) continual strait and a partial mudflat connecting Gravesend Bay and Sheepshead Bay, separating Coney Island from the mainland. The strait was closed off in the early 20th century due to further land development and later construction projects. Today only the western half of Coney Island Creek exists. What once was a thriving fish and oyster population in salt marshes, freshwater streams, and expansive forests is now an unnatural environment wrecked by industrial pollution and construction debris. Urbanization of the city and man-made conditions have led to dumping of sewage and discarded materials, including cars and ship parts. The urbanization and pollution of the creek have caused the low-income and diverse community residing nearby to face many environmental injustices, such as health risks and environmental safety hazards. Restoration projects are limited and most conservation efforts are seen to be performed by the local community.