Staten Island NYC Spring (Now Closed to Public)

## Overview This natural spring is situated in an open field on Staten Island, New York City, near Ontario Avenue in the Grymes Hill / Emerson Hill area of Richmond County. While the exact history and geological origins of this spring are not well-documented, Staten Island is known for its glacial geology — the island's bedrock and glacial deposits from the last Ice Age created numerous small springs and seeps throughout the borough. Historically, natural springs on Staten Island served as important freshwater sources for the Lenape people and later for early Dutch and English settlers. The spring sits at approximately 40.6139° N, 74.1048° W, in what is described as an empty field. **This location is reported to be on private property and is currently closed to public access.** Visitors should respect property boundaries and not attempt to access the spring without permission from the landowner. ## Directions 1. From the Staten Island Expressway (I-278), take the Clove Road exit heading south. 2. Follow Clove Road and turn onto Emerson Hill Road or nearby residential streets heading toward Ontario Avenue. 3. The spring's GPS coordinates (40.613928, -74.104776) place it near **46 Ontario Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301**. 4. The spring is reportedly located in an open field in this residential neighborhood area. **Note:** Because this spring is on private property and closed to the public, these directions are provided for reference only. Do not trespass. ## What to Expect The spring emerges in the middle of an otherwise empty field in a residential section of Staten Island. There is limited information available about the water flow rate, mineral content, or seasonal variability of this spring. No water quality testing data is publicly available for this site. Because the property is privately owned and the spring is reported as closed to public access, there are no established trails, signage, or visitor amenities. The surrounding area is a typical Staten Island residential neighborhood with hilly terrain characteristic of the Emerson Hill and Grymes Hill sections of the borough — among the highest points on the Eastern Seaboard south of Maine. If you are interested in natural springs in the New York City area, it may be worth researching whether the landowner permits visits or whether any local historical or environmental groups have documented this spring further. As with any unmonitored natural water source, the water quality has not been verified and should not be assumed safe for consumption.