Canarsie

Understanding Canarsie

Golden City Amusement Park stood near today’s pier before fire and parkway construction changed the shore.

Later housing changed Canarsie from a fishing and resort landscape into a largely residential neighborhood. West Indian communities became a major part of its twentieth-century history.

Places to explore

• Jamaica Bay Library

  9727 Seaview Avenue at East 98th Street

  Opened in 1973, the branch has a shaded plaza as well as reading and program spaces. Check BPL’s current hours. It is a neighborhood institution, distinct from the federally managed pier.

• Rockaway Parkway commercial corridor

  Rockaway Parkway in Canarsie

  The SBS assessment identifies this as one of the neighborhood’s three principal commercial corridors, alongside Flatlands Avenue and Avenue L. Use it to explore everyday shopping and food businesses, checking any chosen operator for current hours.

• Canarsie Pier, nearby

  Jamaica Bay at the end of Rockaway Parkway; separate Canarsie Park & Pier map area

  The National Park Service lists fishing, a picnic area, playground and kayak launch here. Use its visitor page for current conditions and permits; the presence of a launch does not promise equipment rental or supervised paddling.

• Canarsie Park, nearby

  Seaview Avenue area; separate Canarsie Park & Pier map area

  The community board describes ball fields, courts, playgrounds and a skate park. This inland park is a separate stop from the federal pier across the parkway. Choose the entrance for the activity you want.

Planning a visit

BPL lists the L and B17/B42/B103 buses for Jamaica Bay Library. NPS lists the L to Rockaway Parkway with a B42 connection for the pier. Plan to the chosen address or entrance and check current service.

BPL lists Jamaica Bay Library as fully accessible. The park and pier are separate outdoor destinations, and no checked step-free link across the parkway has been established.