Dongan Hills on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jerome X. O'Donovan Pond
Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park
This pond is named after Jerome X. O’Donovan (1944 – 2014), more commonly known as “Jay” O’Donovan, a lifelong Staten Island resident and decorated Marine Corps Veteran who earned two bronze stars and a promotion to Captain during the Vietnam War.
After his return from Vietnam, he began his career of public service working as an assistant to the Staten Island Borough President in 1974. He ran for and was elected to the New York City Council in 1982. As the first Vietnam Veteran elected to City Council, O’Donovan served Staten Island’s North Shore between 1982 and 2001. During this time, he was a supporter of local environmental concerns, such as the creation of the Special Hillside Preservation District and acquisition of Jones Woods Park and the Chapin Woods addition to Reed’s Basket Willow Swamp Park.
Brooks and ponds were a common sight on Staten Island up until the 1950s, when construction of pipelines and trenches began to wreak changes on the physical landscape. Large cranes and bulldozers loosened the soil surrounding open water, causing serious erosion. While some of the natural vegetation in these areas was killed off as a result of the changing ecosystem, these changes opened the way for vigorous new growth. Blackberry bushes, Japanese knotweed, swamp white azaleas, and flowering dogwood are just a few of the many species of trees and shrubs presently found in the park.
In 1978, Reed’s Basket Willow Swamp Park was designated as a protected freshwater wetland by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, permanently ensuring its preservation under state law.
Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 300.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. 40° 35.926′ N, 74° 6.228′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in Dongan Hills. Marker is at the intersection of Chapin Avenue and Salzburg Court, on the left when traveling north on Chapin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 Salzburg Court, Staten Island NY 10304, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The King’s Highway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Huttner-Pasqualini Post, American Legion Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Public School 11R (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dongan Hills WWII Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Korean War Veterans Park (approx. ¾ mile away); The Healing Garden (approx. one mile away); 9-11 Memorial Steel (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Also see . . .
1. Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park. Official NYC parks description (Submitted on November 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. "Friends, colleagues recall Councilman Jerome X. O'Donovan as 'gentleman warrior'". Staten Island Advance article, February 11, 2014 (Submitted on November 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 24, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.