Nicole McGuire- Activity 10

Nicole McGuire
Activity 10

When we went on the trip to Freshkills Park, I really was expecting to see all types of garbage mounted on top of each other. As we reached our destination I was surprised to see the hills of grass. And to think that these hills are made out of New York City garbage just would not connect in my mind. Before even reading the Fresh Kills pamphlet I start to wonder were does our garbage go now. When I found it goes to places like South Carolina and Virginia, I was disappointed to think that it is just a continuing problem and that now some other people have to deal with our garbage. Where does South Carolina and Virginia’s garbage go?

I did find it interesting that something positive is being made out of a once negative situation. An 2200-acre park is in the process of being built that will attract people from all over. “These days the Fresh Kills landfill is somewhere between its infamous, stinking past and its future as Freshkills Park, a 2,200-acre park with meadows and wetlands and a strange-looking name” (Barron, 1). The park will try to compromise everyone’s ideas about what should go on in the park. The people that live in the town of Freshkills will no longer have to deal with the stench of garbage and their environment will be a little cleaner. “Let’s start at the peak of what was once a steaming, stinking, seagull-infested mountain of trash..” (Sullivan, 1). I remember driving by that area before it was closed down and how disgusting and smelly the area really was. Like our tour guide said no one wanted to be around the area and that there were seagulls all over. The area was unhealthy to live in and also caused problems for the residents. These huge hills reminded me of huge mountains and volcanoes. As we were standing on these hills it was crazy to think that I was standing on top of tons and tons of garbage. As we were traveling on the bus through the park, I didn’t realize how complex the infrastructure was. There’s the soil barrier layer, gas vent layer, impermeable plastic liner, drainage layer, barrier protection material, and than the planting soil. This whole system tries to keep the environment safe all together from the harmful wastes.

The most interesting part of the trip was learning about the different types of habitat and wildlife. It’s sad to think that these lands were once wet lands with a healthy environment. “It’s actually not uncommon to have a large bird population on a former landfill site,” he said. “A good portion of the Meadowlands was landfill, and that’s a really popular site for bird-watching” (Barron, 1). It’s very interesting to think that nature is slowly starting to come back to Freshkills and how it will bring a whole new meaning to the park. The park will take sometime to come together but it’s very inspiring to know that there will eventually be cross-country skiing, environmental education, promenade and barge gardens, bridle trails, multi-use paths, and canoe and kayak launches. People from all over will be able to enjoy the park and all that it has to offer. This park will also bring a new meaning to New York City and show that even an urban city can bring nature to life.

This field trip definitely made me think more about my surroundings and about how I control my own garbage. It made me want to research where my garbage goes and to think that some other people have to deal with my garbage made me feel really guilty. I’m also starting to inform my friends and family about our garbage and where it’s going and to think twice before you throw something away. But now that this landfill is turning into a park, it will be a place for everyone to enjoy and celebrate together.