Chapter Three of the NPS report covers the changing demography of the Jamaica Bay Watershed. In essence, there has been an enormous and unprecedented flux of immigration to the Jamaica Bay area that has shifted the ethnic proportions of each neighborhood quite significantly. Surprisingly, the population around the Jamaica Bay area has increased at almost twice the rate of increase in the rest of New York City. Taking a closer look at the individual neighborhoods comprising the Watershed, it was found that in fact the Brownsville and Sheepshead Bay areas saw a decline in population over the entire time span being studied – from 1970 to 2008. The 30% decline in population in Brownsville and 5% decline in the population of Sheepshead Bay was met with increases in the populations of all the other areas, with the most rapidly growing community being Kew Gardens, with a 33% increase over 38 years.
This population growth is attributed to the arrival of immigrants and migrants from within NYC. A broad look at the ethnic makeup of the Jamaica Bay Watershed reveals a sharp decrease in the proportion of white, non-hispanics and a moderate increase in the black, latino, and asian groups. A closer look at the individual neighborhoods reveals some that are predominantly white (Borough Park, Sheepshead Bay/Gravesend) and some that are predominantly black (Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, East Flatbush, S. Crown Heights, Rosedale, Jamaica), and some that are mixed (Flatbush, Kew Gardens, Howard Beach/S. Ozone Park, Rockaway). Across the board, the percent of population that is native born dropped between 1970 and 2008. This is correlated with intention of immigrants to become American citizens and assimilation into American culture.
Data from the US Census reveals a 3-fold increase in the educational attainment of residents in the Jamaica Bay Watershed. On the other hand, the proportion of people living below the poverty line has doubled and was almost 20% in 2008.
The chapter concludes by noting the communities that have made the most use of Gateway resources thus far: people of Guyanese-Hindu background, the Indian sub-continent, and people of African and Caribbean origins.
As a resident of Sheepshead Bay, I haven’t identified myself as belonging to the Jamaica Bay Watershed. Nobody that I know has identified with this rather large group of communities which are very different going from one neighborhood to the next. It’s interesting to see that some people do have an intimate relationship with the surrounding geography and ecology, and that they make use of these resources for personal or religious reasons. Perhaps I too will grow to appreciate what the Jamaica Bay and the Wildlife Refuge have to contribute to the diversity of New York City.
