I did something cool yesterday, if I do say so myself. I've been doing some research into and background learning on the rich industrial history and present of Newtown Creek, the natural boundary between Brooklyn and Queens, because I think I might want to make a short film on some aspects of it. And so I joined a group called the Newtown Creek Alliance for a bike tour from Greenpoint, down the waterfront, over to Queens via the Grand Street Bridge, west on Review Ave to Borden Avenue, and back to Brooklyn over the Pulaski Bridge. I'm not sure how much I learned, but it was helpful to get the lay of the land. Course, I took pictures. First up, our 'friends of Newtown Creek' bike gang, about 20 strong:
Industrial barges are a common sight on Newtown Creek, with Manhattan as their backdrop. The Alliancers identified Hugo Neu, the owners of this recycling barge, as one of the area's better industrial agents:
Somewhat remarkable to see first-hand is the almost complete lack to public access to a waterway that runs straight through two densely-populated areas. Buildings tend to run smack up to the water, and narrow passage ways that could be used as walkways are left overgrown:
Couple more photos after the jump.
On the Queens side, this is waterfront property:
And next door is New York City-owned property; the big brown building holds the city's road salt. The piece of land between the fence and the water is overgrown with trees, bushes, and weeds.
Another potential public access point of the future. Today, it's where someone has decided to dispose of a mattress, either a king or a queen:
Water quality is certainly a concern when it comes to Newtown Creek, but considering its reputation as a polluted waterway, at some points along the creek the water seems remarkably clear. See, here it's so clear that you can see straight down to a shopping cart laying several feet under the water's surface:
After a few hours of taking in recycling barges, big industrial buildings with enormous footprints, discarded mattresses and shopping carts, it's easy to forget what the creek could be. It could be a living waterway, of course, enjoyed by boaters like this dude. He's got a small place in Manhattan, he told us, but lives mostly on his boat here on Newtown Creek:
If you're interested in this sort of thing, the Newtown Creek Alliance seems to be a great resource. In fact, they have an event coming up where for $50, they'll take you on a four-hour cruise of the creek and educate you on its history, ecology, and what could be its future.
Industrial barges are a common sight on Newtown Creek, with Manhattan as their backdrop. The Alliancers identified Hugo Neu, the owners of this recycling barge, as one of the area's better industrial agents:
Somewhat remarkable to see first-hand is the almost complete lack to public access to a waterway that runs straight through two densely-populated areas. Buildings tend to run smack up to the water, and narrow passage ways that could be used as walkways are left overgrown:
Couple more photos after the jump.
On the Queens side, this is waterfront property:
And next door is New York City-owned property; the big brown building holds the city's road salt. The piece of land between the fence and the water is overgrown with trees, bushes, and weeds.
Another potential public access point of the future. Today, it's where someone has decided to dispose of a mattress, either a king or a queen:
Water quality is certainly a concern when it comes to Newtown Creek, but considering its reputation as a polluted waterway, at some points along the creek the water seems remarkably clear. See, here it's so clear that you can see straight down to a shopping cart laying several feet under the water's surface:
After a few hours of taking in recycling barges, big industrial buildings with enormous footprints, discarded mattresses and shopping carts, it's easy to forget what the creek could be. It could be a living waterway, of course, enjoyed by boaters like this dude. He's got a small place in Manhattan, he told us, but lives mostly on his boat here on Newtown Creek:
If you're interested in this sort of thing, the Newtown Creek Alliance seems to be a great resource. In fact, they have an event coming up where for $50, they'll take you on a four-hour cruise of the creek and educate you on its history, ecology, and what could be its future.
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