GLACIERS formed the original Silver Lake, converted into the southern end of New York’s Catskill water supply system as a reservoir in 1913, filling this function until 1971. The reservoir today is part of the drainage system for underground storage tanks. 209-acre Silver Lake Park, stretching between Victory Blvd., Forest Avenue and Lakewood Road, exists due to the efforts of Staten Island writer John DeMorgan, who pressed the State Assembly Committee on Cities to appropriate funds to establish Silver Lake Park in February 1900. The park began to acquire its current appearance in the four years following, making it Staten Island’s oldest large park. When land from the old Marine Cemetery was added in 1924 and converted to a golf course in 1929, it was later discovered that many Irish immigrants may have been buried here with the 18th hole built over their remains.
Silver Lake Park provides the best public vista in the Grimes Hill area, especially from about 630 Victory Blvd., in front of Notre Dame Academy. Clear days here provide breathtaking views of New Jersey’s Watchung Range as well as Newark Airport and Newark itself.
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12/13/21
2 comments
The last picture brings back a scene from the suburbs:The retired guy standing beside a pile of burning leaves
while smoking a pipe in the late Fall.Then when he was finished he’d go inside to make an Old Fashioned and
watch the game.Very cozy
I graduated from Wagner College in 1968 and never returned to Staten Island but for one time. I was doing my PA studies at Coney Island Hospital in 1995, and my car got towed to the Sunset Park piers for parking violations (a whole other story). Before I could get the car, I had to pay the fines at a City Marshals office – ON STATEN ISLAND! This might have been a daunting task for someone unfamiliar with the area and no car, but I followed the same route as my commute to Wagner – 4th Ave subway to 95th street, bus over the Verrazzano to Clove Rd., then a long walk to New Dorp Plaza. I think the city was hoping the impoundment fee would add up while people tried to figure out how to get to the office. Anyway, Staten Island sure has changed since the 60’s, but I have no intention of ever going back!