Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photos: One Year After Sandy, Big Plans For Coney Island Wetlands
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 30, 2013
Modified Oct 30, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 18
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 30, 2013
Modified Oct 30, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday Mayor Bloomberg visited three areas hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy, holding progress-report press conferences at the dune fortification at Crescent Beach, Staten Island; the bulkhead repairs on Jamaica Bay on the Rockaway Peninsula; and finally the Coney Island Creek Wetlands and Tidal Barrier, where the city is planning a new levee and tidal barrier system at the mouth of Coney Creek, where most of the flooding in the area originated. Here's video of Bloomberg's address from Coney Island:
The projects Bloomberg toured yesterday are part of a $20 billion "resiliency" plan to protect the city from future hurricanes, superstorms, and rising sea levels. "All are designed to adapt New York to the climate change that scientists tell us are already taking place," Bloomberg said yesterday. According to the city, the Coney Island project breaks down thus:
The Coney Island area saw 50,000 residents and 1,000 businesses in impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The majority of the flooding in Coney Island and neighboring Gravesend did not come from the ocean, but instead was “backdoor” flooding from Coney Island Creek. As this is some of the lowest-lying land in Southern Brooklyn, this type of flooding will continue to pose a significant risk to the Coney Island community unless creek waters and surge during a storm are managed
A multi-layered and comprehensive framework for resiliency on Coney Island Creek that can not only reduce risk, but can transform this part of Southern Brooklyn.
The proposal for Coney Creek includes:
Coastal Protection: The installation of a new levee and tidal barrier system at the mouth of the creek to manage the flow of water during a similar future coastal storm. As a first phase, the City intends to install shoreline protection along the creek’s lowest lying edges to provide interim protection in advance of a larger investment.
Stormwater Management: By incorporating operational controls to the City’s stormwater management system, this system would allow the creek to absorb stormwater runoff and improve drainage to protect adjacent neighborhoods and infrastructure during coastal storms or extreme precipitation events.
Parks: By combining Calvert Vaux and Kaiser parks around a renewed and restored wetland and lake complex, this system can bring together two neighborhoods historically separated by Coney Island Creek and achieve better waterfront access and a new destination park in Southern Brooklyn.
Photographer Tod Seelie took shots of the dunes and area around the creek; the last image in the gallery is a rendering of the city's plan for the area.
Tagged
coney island
hurricane sandy
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
Ulrich, a former city councilmember, is accused of trading access and favors for cash and bribes. He was the first aide to Mayor Adams charged with public corruption.
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 8:01 a.m. ET
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
By
Catalina Gonella
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .