Newtown Creek East Branch — Attraction in New York

At the end of 58th Road, you'll find the remnants of Maspeth Toll Bridge Co.’s Plank Road, which crossed the Newtown Creek in the 1800s. Part of the wooden structure is still visible in the intertidal zone, and bridge anchorages are still clearly visible on both the Queens and Brooklyn side, at Maspeth Avenue. The bridge connected the early communities of Maspeth and Newtown, crossing through what Mitch Waxman describes as “the hellish expanse of Fuhrman’s Island (home to Peter Cooper’s Glue Factory and Conrad Wissel’s Night Soil and Offal Dock, amongst other notorious or malodorous occupants)” to bring products to market in Williamsburg and, via early ferry service, to Manhattan. Today we see the view of the Empire of Concrete, near where the Maspeth Holders once stood. Thanks to Newtown Creek Alliance for the history, the cleanup, and the restoration plantings. I like the rogue bamboo grove adjacent to the DSNY parking lot. Beware of the...

Off the beaten path exploration. If you want to see the inner workings of NYC, the "guts" so to speak, this is your place. With a solid 200 years of industrial grade pollution, The East Branch of Newtown Creek is the forgotten back alley, the dead-end sidewalk of its industrial corridor neighborhood. In case you wondered where your packages went between you and the freighter or airplane, or who picks up and delivers your package, this place is for you! If you wanted to know where your trash, your recyclables or your old car goes after it leaves your house, this is your place. Neglected corners abound. Not recommended for...

Newtown creek is one of New York’s best spots to see the changing foliage in autumn. All the invasive and native plant communities have dramatic orange,yellow, and red fall colors. Despite the advanced industrial environment and polluted water ways, these plants thrive in the most unexpected places. Community stewards both public and private help create green spaces along the creek. The east branch has a lovely bamboo jungle path along the water that is secluded and quiet, a nice escape from the noisy roads and smoggy air of the industry behind...