April 3: Charles Denson Talk & Tour of Coney Island Creek in Kaiser Park

On Tuesday, April 3rd, Charles Denson will give a talk and slide show about Coney Island Creek's history and future to be followed by a short walking tour of the creekfront at Kaiser Park. Held at Kaiser Park House,the event is open to all interested community groups, and stakeholders in the Coney Island area, and anyone who wants to learn about an important and vital estuary, the last remnant of a thousand acre wetland that has disappeared through development.

The focus of the meeting is the creek's relationship to the Coney Island community and the three NYC parks that border the creek: Kaiser Park, Calvert Vaux Park, and Coney Island Creek Park. Everyone is invited to share their views and ideas about the waterway's future.

The talk covers the environmental, recreational, political, and spiritual aspects of the Creek. Denson has documented the creek for over 40 years and is working on a book and film about the waterway.

"Coney Island as a resort began not on the ocean but on the banks of the Creek nearly two hundred years ago," says Denson."The first hotel, restaurant and amusement park opened on the banks of Coney Island creek, and the history goes back nearly 400 years. The creek has great potential." Charles Denson, Executive Director of the Coney Island History Project, received a grant from the Partnership for Parks to create a self-guided walking tour brochure and a series of informational plaques to be installed on the creek side of Kaiser Park.

Making Waves: Exploring Opportunities Along Kaiser Park Waterfront Tuesday, April 3rd, 3 pm - 5 pm, Kaiser Park House Enter at 29th St and Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11224 Travel directions: B, F, N or Q to Coney Island, Stillwell Avenue. Take the B74 to Mermaid Avenue and West 31st Street. Walk one block north to park. Due to limited seating, this free event requires advance reservations. Please register online via info@coneyislandhistory.org. For additional info phone the Coney Island History Project at 347-702-8553.

The event is organized by Partnership for Parks, Friends of Kaiser Park and the Coney Island History Project.

"Secrets of Coney Island Creek," an exhibit of Charles Denson's photos, is on view in vitrines in the lobby and on the 2nd floor of the Coney Island branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. The library is located on Mermaid Avenue at West 19th Street. Click here for hours and directions.