Serpentine Art and Nature Commons

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The Serpentine Art and Nature Commons ("SANC" or "Serpentine Commons") is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1978. SANC is dedicated to preserving and maintaining the woodlands and serpentine ridge on the east shore of Staten Island and more specifically within the neighborhoods of Grymes Hill and Silver Lake. [1]

The Serpentine Commons is a community-based group that provides open space, hikes and other educational opportunities [2] to the North Shore of Staten Island on the more than 10 [3] acres of the approximately 40 acres of land in the Serpentine Ridge Nature Preserve [4] of the Special Hillsides Preservation District. [5]

SANC owns the four lots comprising the over 10 acres of land thanks to a grant by the Trust for Public Land.

The steep slope park is open to everyone without charge. The hiking trails start at the bottom of the hill at 599 Van Duzer Street. There is also an entrance from the top of the hill at 255 Howard Avenue as well as a gated entrance by 30 Howard Circle.

The members meet monthly on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Kairos House at Wagner College. Anyone is invited to participate. [6]

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The Serpentine Ridge Nature Preserve is a 40 acres woodland in the North Shore of Staten Island between Howard Avenue at the top of the ridge and Van Duzer Street at the bottom of the hill. The Serpentine Ridge plays an important part in Staten Island's ecosystem and biodiversity and maintains significant geological features. The Serpentine Ridge is a steep terrain on the east shore of the island within the Grymes Hill and Silver Lake neighborhoods of Staten Island. The area is notable for its variety of ecosystems including wooded hillsides, glacial sinkholes, and bare serpentine rock. The area is part of Staten Island's Special Hillsides Preservation District. The district was established to preserve the hilly terrain and unique natural features of the region, by reducing hillside erosion, landslides, and excessive storm-water runoff. Most of its land remains in a natural state, thus the area is covered with native vegetation. The Serpentine Art and Nature Commons owns approximately 11.5 acres of land within the area and acts as an environmental steward to the entire area.

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References

  1. "A NYC Parkland, Serpentine Art & Nature Commons". www.preserve.org. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  2. "Hiking Serpentine Commons". nynjctbotany.org. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  3. Island, Staten (2012-06-06). "Park with a view, Serpentine Art & Nature Commons includes 11 acres on Staten Island". silive. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  4. Hughes, C. J. (2016-07-06). "Grymes Hill: Manhattan Views, West Coast Feel". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  5. "Chapter 9 | Zoning Resolution". zr.planning.nyc.gov. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  6. Guttsman (2019-03-16). "The Serpentine Art and Nature Commons Meeting Notice". silive. Retrieved 2019-10-29.