Staten Island: A Tapestry of History and Transformation

By: Feeby Ebeid

After 12 years of living in Brooklyn, my family moved to Staten Island on the 1st of October, 2023. I moved just on the outskirts of the Great Kills area, where an interesting park stands. 

While looking into this park, which is less than a mile, Northwest, from where I live, I delved into this rabbit hole about the Staten Island’s dump. 

Brookfield Park was actually Brookfield Landfill and it operated from 1966 until 1980, however, it was discovered that Brookfield had illegally received hazardous materials in the 1970s. After an investigation by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), it was shut down. It was covered in tons and tons of soil and now it stands as a 5 mile trail for hiking and biking within 258 acres. 

What’s even more interesting, is just Northwest of that was what used to be the biggest landfill in the world, seen from space, before it was closed in 2001. 

What was ironically called the Fresh Kills Landfill, opened in 1948 and operated for more than five decades, serving as the primary landfill for New York City's solid waste. The landfill received millions of tons of garbage each year from the city's five boroughs. However, due to environmental concerns and community opposition, Fresh Kills Landfill was closed in 2001. Since its closure, there have been ongoing efforts to transform Fresh Kills Landfill into a public park and ecological, restoration area.

It is set to be opened in phases, through 2036. By the end, it will be almost three times the size of Central Park and the largest park developed in New York City in over 100 years.

However, many Staten Islanders don’t have much trust in these parks and avoid them due to cancer risks associated with the dump that lies not deep enough beneath the grassy facade. Staten Island cancer rates are 28% higher than the New York City average and 32% higher than the statewide average. 

To not end on a depressing note, Northeast from where I live, alongside Brookfield Park, is Historic Richmond Town. It began as a Dutch settlement in the 1600s. It then became the County Government Center under the British in the 1700s until the 1900s. 

Now it is a living history village and museum complex, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and culture of Staten Island and the surrounding region. It spans over 100 acres and features more than 30 historic buildings dating from the late 17th to the early 20th century. 

Visitors can explore these buildings, which include homes, shops, farmhouses, and other structures, to learn about life in the area during different time periods. A variety of educational programs, exhibits, and events are offered.  

All in all, while I am not the biggest Staten Island fan, I can see that there is quite a lot of lore here. My neighborhood alone is both a representation of history, persevered, and a history mended.