10. McCarren Park Was a Salt Marsh

The Bushwick Creek running through McCarren Park on NYC’s current street grid.

Before the early 1900s, Bushwick Creek ran through McCarren Park, even attracting boat riders. The creek had two sources: one was south of McCarren Park, while the other source was within the park. However, people began to throw trash into the creek, causing it to dry up. At this point, the city filled in the land entirely.

Next, check out The Top 12 Secrets of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and 10 of NYC’s Most Unique Swimming Pools: Past, Present and Future.