“Landscape in Motion” Looks at Freshkills Transformation from Landfill to Park

Starting September 22nd, the next time you take the Staten Island Ferry (even if you got on just for the view), make a stop inside St. George Ferry Terminal at the Staten Island Culture Lounge. There’s a photography exhibit, “Freshkills: Landscape in Motion” that examines the changing topography of Freshkills as it evolves from a landfill into the largest park developed by New York City since the 19th century.

The photographs are the results of a competition sponsored by Freshkills Park and the Staten Island Advance and the exhibition shows twelve winning photographs side by side with historical images. The three first place winners are shown below:

Ryan Lavis’ winning submission in the Professional category

Jarred Sutton’s winning submission in the Amateur category

Katsiaryna Sukhotskaya’s winning submission in the Student category

When completed in 2036, the 2,200 acre Freshkills Park will be 100 times larger than Central Park, redeveloped atop the capped Freshkills landfill which was once the world’s largest. Portions of the park are already open, and work included restoration of the salt marshes, wetlands and creeks, the construction of soccer fields, pedestrian paths, basketball courts and playgrounds, and the construction of a greenway. In process and up next will be a LEED-certified park house with green roof, the east, north and south parts of the park, and a road system.

Here are some of the historical images of Fresh Kills Park that will be on display:

Fresh Kill Landfill Richmond Avenue to the right Arthur Kill road to then left. Image courtesy of the Staten Island Advance and Staten Island Institute Archives.

Birds fly over the piles of garbage at the Fresh Kills Landfill in 1993. Image courtesy of the Staten Island Advance and Staten Island Institute Archives.

Next, read about the latest on the New York Wheel, the ferris wheel coming to the St. George Waterfront.