w Nathan Kensinger
Saturday, June 26th
Join Nathan Kensinger for a walking tour of Sandy Brook and Sandy Ground!
About this event
Sandy Brook is a secluded Staten Island waterway which flows through the historic community of Sandy Ground, the oldest continuously inhabited free Black settlement in the United States.
Join artist, photographer, and journalist Nathan Kensinger for a walk along this meandering stream, hiking through the wild woodlands of Bloomingdale Park, into a hidden Bluebelt parkland, and past several of Sandy Ground’s last remaining historical landmarks.
Along the route, we will discuss the history of oystermen in Sandy Ground, who worked in the oyster industry downstream in Lemon Creek and Prince’s Bay. We will also retrace the footsteps of acclaimed author Joseph Mitchell, who chronicled the last days of Staten Island’s oyster trade.
Sturdy, close-toed shoes are recommended for this 2.5 mile walk, which will involve following footpaths across streams, through wooded environments, and on uneven ground. For everyone’s safety, social distancing requirements will be enforced, including the use of masks.
This event is part of a new series of NYC H2O walks led by Nathan Kensinger, exploring how creeks, oysters, industry, and immigration helped to shape Staten Island’s historic neighborhoods.