Oyster Research Stations

West Harlem Waterfront Park was originally a natural sheltered cove along the Hudson River. This sheltered cove provided safe river access for both the indigenous Lenape and the eventual European colonists that arrived in the 17th century. Docked at West Harlem Pier 1 is the Baylander. The Baylander was a harbor utility craft which was used in the Vietnam war to move men and material around the shallow deltas within Vietnam. Following the war, the Baylander was converted into a helicopter landing trainer until it was sold in 2012 and converted into a bar and restaurant docked at Pier 1.

Nearby attractions include Riverside Park to the north and south, as well as the art exhibits located throughout West Harlem Piers. There are no plans for construction on the site in the near future.

Transportation

Bus - W 125th St/St Claire Pl. on the M125 route. From the bus stop, walk northwest along W 125th St. to reach the Hudson River Greenway. Walk directly into West Harlem Pier 1 to reach the site.

Train - 125th St. stop on the 1 line. From the train station, walk northwest along W 125th St. to reach the Hudson River Greenway. Walk directly into West Harlem Pier 1 to reach the site.

Facilities

Bathrooms may be located on the Baylander

Closest CSO

North River WPCF CSO ID: NY0026247-043

The ferry terminal at East 90th St. is located on the northeastern most corner of Carl Schurz Park. The site was once the location of an American battery during the Revolutionary War, only for returning British fire to demolish and destroy the settlements located within the area. Following American evacuation, the British kept an encampment within the park until 1783. After the Revolutionary War, the space was primarily utilized as a picnic ground for the public. Shipping magnate and businessman Archibald Gracie built his mansion within the park in the 18th century, where it now functions as the primary residence for New York City’s mayors.

Nearby attractions include Gracie Mansion to the south. Hell’s Gate, Randall’s Island, Roosevelt Island, and Ward’s Island can be viewed from the site. There are currently no plans for construction on the site.

Transportation

Ferry - East 90th St stop on the Astoria ferry route and the Soundview ferry route.

Bus - York Av/E 88 St. stop on the M86-SBS route. From the bus stop, walk east on E 89th St. until you reach Carl Schurz Park. Follow John Finley Walk north until you reach the ferry terminal.

Train - 86th St. stop on the Q line. From the train station, walk east along E 86th St. until you reach Carl Schurz Park. Walk through Carl Schurz Park and follow John Finley Walk north until you reach the ferry terminal.

Facilities

Public bathrooms are located inside the park.

Closest CSO

Wards Island WPCP
CSO ID: NY0026131-013

The oyster reefs located on the western shore of Manhattan were greatly utilized by both Native Americans and Dutch colonists as a central source of protein. Following colonization, oyster barges traveling up and down the Hudson River provided accessible food to poor communities throughout the city. After the collapse of the oyster industry, Hudson River Park became a key launching point for several 19th century steamboat companies operating along the Hudson. Hudson River Park itself emerged as a result of failed interstate proposals in the 1970’s. Pier 40 was originally intended to serve as a passenger and cargo terminal but after decades of neglect, was finally purchased by the city and repurposed as a recreational area in 1998.

Nearby attractions include the Hudson River Park’s River Project Wetlab, mini golf at Pier 25, and the Village Community Boathouse. There are currently no plans for construction on the site in the near future.

Transportation

Train - Spring St. stop on the A, C, E lines. From the train station, walk west one block along Vandam St., walk north three blocks north along Varick St., and then walk four blocks west along W. Houston St. to reach Pier 40.

Train - Houston St. stop on the 1, 2 lines. From the train station, walk west four blocks along W. Houston St. to reach Pier 40.

Bus - W Houston St/Washington St. on the SIM7 and SIM9 routes. From the bus stop, walk west one block to reach Pier 40.

Bus - W Houston St/Hudson St. on the M21 route. From the bus stop, walk west three blocks to reach Pier 40.

Facilities

Public bathrooms located within Pier 40 and boathouse

Closest CSO

Newtown Creek WPCP
CSO ID: NY0026204-080

Site Partners: Hudson River Park Trust

Once dominated by numerous shoals and oyster beds, Red Hook was the site of one of the busiest ports in New York Harbor in the mid 19th century. Settled by the Dutch in the 1600s, English colonization and settlement of the land eventually led to high concentrations of immigrant workers in the Red Hook area who served as a cheap source of labor for local shipping companies. The primary good imported in Red Hook was grain, which was then shipped throughout New York City. Valentino Park and Pier is named after local firefighter and NYC Parks lifeguard Louis J. Valentino Jr., who lost his life in 1996 searching for wounded firefighters in a three-alarm blaze.

Nearby attractions include the Waterfront Museum and Erie Basin Park to the south. There are currently no plans for construction on the site.

Transportation

Bus - Van Brunt St/Wolcott St on the B61 route. From the bus stop, walk two blocks south to reach Coffey St. Walk three blocks north along Coffey St. to reach Valentino Park and Pier.

Bus - Court St/W 9th St. on the B57, B61 routes. From the bus stop, walk one block south to reach Coffey St. Walk four blocks north along Coffey St. to reach Valentino Park and Pier.

Facilities

Bathrooms may be located in nearby storefronts.

Closest CSO

Red Hook WPCP
CSO ID: NY0027073-029

Site Partners: RETI Center or Red Hook Community Center

Billion Oyster Project Headquarters

Governors Island, originally named Nutten Island by the indigenous Lenape for the ubiquitous presence of nut trees, was primarily used as a seasonal foraging and hunting ground. Prior to dredging, it was possible to walk from Red Hook to Governors Island through the Buttermilk Channel during low tide. Following colonization, Governors Island went through a series of radical transformations. During dredging efforts in the 20th century, dredged materials were added to the southern portion of Governors Island, doubling the size of the island. Governors Island was primarily a point of defense and served as an important military installation until 1966, when it was decommissioned and converted into a Coast Guard base. In 1996, the Coast Guard base was closed and the island was transferred to the city for public use. Today, Governors Island is primarily utilized as a recreational, tourism, and cultural arts center. The New York Harbor School and Billion Oyster Project is based on Governors Island.

There are numerous nearby attractions and activities on Governors Island. A few include the Governors Island National Monument to the north of the island, the parklands on the southern half of the island, and the historic residential houses located throughout. There are currently no plans for construction on the site in the near future.

Transportation

Ferry - Governors Island ferry stop on the Governors Island ferry line - or - Gov. Island/Yankee Pier stop on the South Brooklyn ferry route.

Facilities

Public bathrooms located throughout the island. Picnic benches located to the south of the site.

Upper Harbor: 40.640653, -74.072889

Although Staten Island did not officially become a borough of New York City until 1898, the ferry terminal at St. George was proposed and built almost 15 years prior. Sharing the location with the ferry terminal is the Lighthouse Museum, which was built on the remains of the New York Marine Hospital. Known to local residents as ‘The Quarantine’, immigrants with failing health were segregated and housed within The Quarantine. However, following a series of epidemics in the mid 19th century, the twenty building hospital complex was burnt to the ground by rioters and in its stead, the Staten Island Lighthouse Depot was built. The Staten Island Lighthouse Depot manufactured and maintained lighthouse materials for local lighthouses. Currently, the National Lighthouse Museum stands in its place, providing lighthouse education and outreach to the public.

Nearby attractions include the National Lighthouse Museum, and Snug Harbor Cultural center and Botanical Garden to the west. There are currently no plans for construction on the site in the near future.

Transportation

Ferry - St. George Ferry terminal stop on the Staten Island Ferry and St. George ferry routes.

Bus - St. George stop on the S40, S42, S44, S46, S48, S51, S52, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76, S78, S81, S84, S86, S90, S91, S92, S94, S96, S98 bus routes. From the bus stop, walk one block south until you reach the National Lighthouse Museum.

Train - St. George stop on the SIR route

Facilities

Public Bathrooms & Picnic Dining Tables

Closets CSO:

Port Richmond WPCF
CSO ID: NY0026107

Site Partners: National Lighthouse Museum
Website: https://lighthousemuseum.org/
Contact: Cezanne Abies (education@lighthousemuseum.org)