Coney Island Creek

Coney Island Creek is a tidal waterway that connects Gravesend Bay to Shell Road, separating mainland Brooklyn from Coney Island proper. The waterway winds through developed areas and parks that line both shores.

The creek began as a vast natural salt marsh estuary before it was reshaped by landfill and industrial development in the 1800s and early 1900s. This transformation altered the entire ecological landscape of the area.

Shoreline parks invite locals to fish, watch birds, and learn about the local waterways through community programs and informal gathering spaces. These areas show how neighbors engage with the water as part of their daily life.

Several parks line the shores and provide walking access and viewing areas for visitors interested in exploring the waterway. Some sections are easier to reach than others, so checking local conditions before visiting helps with planning.

The waterway holds a collection of abandoned ships and vessels, including a submarine, that rest on the bottom like an unintended underwater museum. These forgotten maritime relics sit hidden beneath modern development, creating an unusual underwater archive.