Newtown Creek

I spent many years photographing Newtown Creek, from onboard boats and trains, and on foot.

Newtown Creek has a rich and varied history, having served as a major industrial hub for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. The creek has also been the site of numerous environmental issues, including contamination from oil spills and other pollutants. Named a Superfund site by the Federal Government in 2010, a non profit organization called the Newtown Creek Alliance advocates for the waterway and is guided by its mission to 'Reveal, Restore, Revitalize.' I was the group's Historian and Tour Leader, and a Board Member. Check out the 'story maps' which use a lot of my photos to tell the Creek's story. I was also a Steering Committee Member of the Newtown Creek Community Advisory Group. When I began working on Newtown Creek, one of my goals was to create a sense of ownership for the waterway in the surrounding communities, and I treated the entire endeavor as a 'branding' job. The Newtown Creek needed a story, and I was the one to tell it.

Today, the Newtown Creek is a popular destination in NYC for urban explorers, photographers, and anyone interested in the history and ecology of New York City. The area around the creek is home to a variety of wildlife, including fish, birds, and other aquatic creatures. It is also a popular spot for kayaking and other water-based activities.