Residents call for action as trash and debris pile up in Coney Island Creek
Some community members say years of illegal dumping have turned parts of the creek into a growing environmental concern.
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Plastic bags, a submerged flat-screen TV and even a shopping cart are among the debris residents say they have found sitting in Coney Island Creek - the borough’s last remaining salt marsh waterway.
Some community members say years of illegal dumping have turned parts of the creek into a growing environmental concern.
“I've seen cans of paint, I see shopping carts, I see tires, I've seen a motorbike. Aquaman has a house in the creeks - our community deserves better,” resident Jose Santiago said.
Residents who use the creek for fishing say they have noticed the impact of the pollution firsthand.
“You see papers. See a lot of like, like trash, and people like just leaving stuff. As we fish, we try to - before we leave - to clean up before we go to make sure everything is clean and we're not leaving nothing that will damage the fish,” resident Zenobi said.
Environmental advocates say some of that debris can make its way into the waterway during storms and coastal flooding. They say trash left on streets can be carried into storm drains and eventually flow into the creek.
Pamela Pettyjohn, president of the Coney Island Beautification Project, says addressing the issue requires long-term solutions that protect both the environment and the community.
“People throw things in the street and it washes into the storm drain. The overflow will come into our waterways. We're trying to make sure that whatever plan we come up with - it benefits the community as a whole,” Pettyjohn said.
The Waterfront Alliance is also working on flood resiliency efforts aimed at helping communities better prepare for flooding while protecting vulnerable waterways.
As residents prepare for a community shoreline cleanup during City of Water Day on July 26, Pettyjohn says the work to protect Coney Island Creek is ongoing.
“If we don't take care of the environment, we won't have any protection for ourselves - So it's like trying to take care of yourself before something happens,” Pettyjohn said.
NYC Parks tells News 12 that anyone caught illegally dumping can face fines of up to $5,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for repeat violations.
