Mariner's Marsh natural area

North of Arlington Yard; Richmond Terrace btw Catherine Pl. and Holland AVe.

Mariners Marsh Park, located on the North Shore of Staten Island, is a unique and ecologically rich site characterized by its post-industrial landscape and diverse habitats. Spanning more than 100 acres, the park is notable for its large, contiguous freshwater system, a rarity in New York City. The park's landscape features a variety of ecosystems, including freshwater ponds, wooded wetlands, wet meadows, and upland forests, making it one of the largest remaining areas of wetlands and forest on Staten Island's North Shore.

This ecological diversity supports a wide range of wildlife, including several high-priority species of greatest conservation need (SCGN) in New York State, such as the rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), American black duck (Anas rubripes), and bay-breasted warbler (Setophaga castanea). The park also provides crucial habitats for amphibians such as green frogs (Lithobates clamitans), bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), spring-peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), and red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus).

Mariners Marsh Park has been closed to the public since 2001 due to significant contamination from its industrial past. The site requires substantial investment for rehabilitation, including efforts to restore its forest and wetland habitats and provide public access. Efforts to accomplish these goals are ongoing, with investments from both New York City and New York State to design and implement restoration and safe access.