Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve
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Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve is state park of the U.S. state of New York, located on the southwestern shore of Staten Island.
The park is a 260-acre nature preserve, comprising wetlands, ponds, sand barrens, spring-fed streams, and woodlands. It includes pitch pine woods, and rare wildflowers such as cranberry, lizard-tail, possum-haw, and bog twayblade. The animal species found in the park include northern black racer snakes, box turtles, Folwer's toads, green frogs, and spring peepers. More than 170 bird species have been sighted in the park.
The park was created in 1976 after extensive lobbying by the Protectors of Pine Woods, a local conservation organization. The purpose of the preserve is to retain the unique ecology, as well as to provide eductional and recreational opportunities, such a nature walks, pond ecology programs, and birdwatching. Horseback riding is permitted on 5 mi (8 km) of bridle paths. The park has two designated areas which are set aside for endangered species and which are off-limits to the public. Two hiking trails, the Abraham's Pond Trail, and the Ellis Swamp Trail, are open to the public near the park headquarters.
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. The preserve also contains archaelogical evidence of settlements of the Lenape, early European settlers, and the Free Blacks of Sandy Ground.
See also
External links
- Official site (http://nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/parks.cgi?p+24)
- NY League of Conservation Voters site (http://www.nylcv.org/guide/involve/section2staten.html) on Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve