Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is 265-acre (1.07 km2) state park[2] located near the southwestern shore of Staten Island, New York.[5] It is the only state park located on Staten Island.
History
The park was the site of extensive mining of white kaolin clay in the 19th century that provided the raw material for bricks and terra cotta. After the abandonment of the quarrying operations, rainwater, natural springs, and vegetation filled in the pits.[3] The preserve also contains archaeological evidence of settlements of the Lenape, early European settlers, and the Free Blacks of Sandy Ground.
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 the Charleston 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 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, and birdwatching. 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]
^ ab"Section O: Environmental Conservation and Recreation, Table O-9". 2014 New York State Statistical Yearbook(PDF). The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. 2014. p. 671. Archived from the original(PDF) on September 16, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2016.