Paerdegat Basin natural areas

This marshy East Flatbush park includes a 1.25-mile straightened and dredged channel that empties into Jamaica Bay. Paerdegat Basin, whose name means "horse gate" in Dutch, is a saltwater wetland area that supports both black-crowned (Nycticorax nycticorax) and yellow-crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea). Clapper rails (Rallus crepitans) are heard here in warmer months, while winter is a good time for spotting ducks. According to the Brooklyn Bird Club, 100 black skimmers (Rynchops niger) were once seen congregating on a sandbar here.

The park's upland contains groves of locally evolved trees like smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), planted trees such as American holly (Ilex opaca), Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and shadbush (Amalanchier canadensis), as well as introduced trees like the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The extensive grassland includes maritime grass species such a little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and yellow grass (Sorghastrum nutans). The grassland also has some introduced species including mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), and common reed (Phragmites australis). Although the basin consists of over 160 acres, more than 75 of those are underwater.

Walkers can enjoy quiet walking trails in Ecology Park, located in the in southeastern portion of the park. The access trail may be reached from Bergen Avenue, 300 feet northwest of the ballfield, across from Avenue V.