Staten Island, New York

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Geographic Coordinates: 40.583400, -74.149600

Population: 495747

Language: English

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Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City, Located in the southwestern part of the city. It is situated between New Jersey and Brooklyn and is connected to Manhattan by a ferry system that runs 24 hours a day, Seven days a week. The island has an area of over 58 square miles and a population of approximately 500, 000 people. Staten Island is known for its natural beauty, With more than one-third of its land designated as parkland.

The most famous park on the island is undoubtedly Staten Island’s Greenbelt, Which covers nearly 3, 000 acres and includes hiking trails, Wildlife habitats, Ponds and streams. Other popular parks include Clove Lakes Park with its picturesque lakeside paths and Silver Lake Park with stunning views overlooking Manhattan. The island’s history dates back to pre-colonial times when it was inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Lenape. Later on during colonial times it served as farmland for Dutch settlers who arrived in the mid-17th century before being taken over by British forces during the American Revolution.

Today Staten Island boasts a diverse mix of residential neighborhoods ranging from affluent enclaves like Todt Hill to working-class communities like Port Richmond. There are also several vibrant commercial districts including St George where visitors can enjoy restaurants serving cuisine from all around the world or browse through local shops selling unique items. One must-visit attraction on Staten Island is Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden which features stunning botanical gardens spread across an impressive 83-acre campus dotted with Victorian-era buildings that once served as homes for retired sailors.

Visitors can take guided tours or simply stroll through this serene oasis while enjoying live music performances or art exhibitions. Another notable landmark on Staten Island is The Conference House which played an important role in US history as it was here that Benjamin Franklin unsuccessfully attempted to broker peace talks between British officials and American colonists during the Revolutionary War. Today, The house is a museum that offers guided tours and educational programs. Overall, Staten Island is a unique and beautiful part of New York City with something to offer everyone.

Whether you’re interested in history, Nature or simply looking for a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, This borough has it all.

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1. Staten Island Ferry
2. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
3. Staten Island Zoo
4. Fort Wadsworth
5. Alice Austen House Museum
6. Conference House Park
7. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
8. Historic Richmond Town
9. National Lighthouse Museum
10. Franklin D Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach

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• Healthcare
• Education
• Retail
• Hospitality and tourism

Some of the largest employers on Staten Island include:

1. Richmond University Medical Center
2. Staten Island University Hospital
3. Con Edison
4. Verizon Communications Inc.
5. The City of New York

There are also several universities and colleges on the island including:

• Wagner College
• St. John’s University

Retail is a significant industry with numerous shopping centers such as:

• Staten Island Mall
• Empire Outlets

Additionally, there are many restaurants and hotels that cater to tourists visiting the island’s attractions such as:

• Staten Island Ferry
• Historic sites like Fort Wadsworth

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Noteable History

1. The Lenape Native American tribe lived on Staten Island until the 17th century when European settlers arrived.
2. The Dutch claimed Staten Island in 1661 and named it Staaten Eylandt after the States General of the Netherlands.
3. During the Revolutionary War, British forces occupied Staten Island and used it as a strategic base for their operations in New York City.
4. In 1838, Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and former slave, gave a speech against slavery at a rally on Staten Island.
5. President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty in 1886, which can be seen from many parts of Staten Island’s shoreline.
6. The construction of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in 1964 connected Brooklyn to Staten Island and revolutionized transportation between these two boroughs.
7. Some notable people associated with Staten Island include singer Christina Aguilera, actor Martin Sheen, comedian Pete Davidson, and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.

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Museums and Things To See

1. Staten Island Museum
2. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
3. Alice Austen House Museum
4. Fort Wadsworth
5. The Conference House
6. National Lighthouse Museum
7. Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
8. Historic Richmond Town
9. Tibetan Museum
10. Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

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Sports Teams

1. Staten Island Yankees are a minor league baseball team that plays in the New York-Penn League. They were founded in 1999 and play their home games at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.
2. Wagner Seahawks are the athletic teams of Wagner College, located on Staten Island. They compete in NCAA Division I and have a strong tradition of success in football, basketball, and other sports.
3. Staten Island Vipers were a professional indoor football team that played in the American Indoor Football Association from 2006 to 2008.
4. CSI Dolphins are the athletic teams of City University of New York’s CSI campus on Staten Island. They compete in NCAA Division III and have had success in basketball, soccer, and other sports.
5. St Joseph Hill Academy Hilltoppers are the high school sports teams for St Joseph Hill Academy High School on Staten Island. They compete against other high schools throughout New York City and have had success in soccer, volleyball, softball, and other sports over the years.
6. Monsignor Farrell Lions is an all-boys Catholic high school located on Staten Island that has a long tradition of success in athletics such as wrestling, track & field among others.
7. Tottenville Pirates is one of two public high schools located on Staten Island with successful programs like baseball, football, etc.

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Cultural Events

1. Staten Island Jazz Festival is a two-day event that celebrates the best of jazz music. The festival features performances by local and international jazz musicians.
2. Richmond County Fair is a traditional fair that offers carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and agricultural exhibits.
3. Staten Island Film Festival is an annual event that showcases independent films from around the world.
4. Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Company presents classic plays by William Shakespeare and other playwrights in various locations throughout the borough.
5. St George Day Festival is an annual celebration of community arts and culture featuring live music, dance performances, art exhibits, kids’ activities, and more.
6. Westerleigh Folk Festival is a family-friendly event that features folk music from local artists as well as food vendors and craft vendors.
7. Italian Street Fair is a 10-day-long festival that celebrates Italian heritage with traditional food offerings like zeppoles (a type of fried dough). The festival also offers live entertainment which includes a parade on its final day.
8. Staten Island PrideFest celebrates LGBTQ+ culture in the boroughs with a parade through St George followed by a street fair at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s premises.

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Cuisine

1. Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern
2. Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria and Restaurant
3. The Original Goodfella’s Brick Oven Pizza
4. Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices & Ice Cream
5. Lee’s Tavern
6. Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn
7. Bayou Restaurant
8. Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn
9. Canlon’s Restaurant
10. Enoteca Maria

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Parks and Recreation

1. Clove Lakes Park is a beautiful park that has several features, such as lakes, walking trails, playgrounds, sports fields, and a wildlife sanctuary.
2. Great Kills Park is another great park that offers beaches, fishing piers, hiking trails and picnic areas.
3. The Greenbelt Nature Center provides educational programs and exhibits about the local environment for visitors to learn from.
4. Silver Lake Park includes a lake for fishing and boating as well as tennis courts and playgrounds to enjoy with family or friends.
5. The Staten Island Zoo is home to over 1,500 animals from around the world which makes it an excellent place for animal lovers to visit.
6. Willowbrook Park features a carousel ride along with mini-golf course options available along with tennis courts and picnic areas perfect for spending time outdoors.
7. Blue Heron Park Preserve is a nature preserve with walking trails that provide visitors with an opportunity to explore nature in its purest form.
8. Conference House Park is rich in history making it an excellent historic park with beach access where visitors can learn about the past while enjoying beach activities at the same time!
9. Wolfe’s Pond Beach offers recreational activities such as kayaking which makes it an exciting beach destination for those who love water sports!
10. Franklin D Roosevelt Boardwalk & Beach provides boardwalk access along the beach which makes it perfect for long walks on sunny days!

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Collect Moments, Not Things.

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