The Point These Days

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A picture of the Point from Saturday July 3rd of all “outsiders” bringing in Jet Ski’s, BBQ’s, and parties.

What’s wrong with this? Well it’s not really a beach that has lifeguards. We as a community do not need someone that can’t swim drown or hit by a Jet Ski. Which there was an accident recently.

The point is a no standing zone – and it’s for a good reason. All of the buses we have here in Gerritsen Beach need to turn around and they cannot make a U-turn while the Point to Seba is packed with cars.

Then have the fact that it’s not a beach! I’ve seen people and friends summonsed for being there.

You cannot launch boats, Jet Skis, from that area. Basically you can only launch canoes or kayaks.

Lastly, Do they clean up after themselves? I have one word to answer that:NYET!


Jet Ski In Gerritsen Beach from Gerritsen Beach on Vimeo.

60 comments to The Point These Days

  • Anonymous

    I went by there on Monday morning the beach was disgrace, garbage all over the place.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1

    • Anonymous

      You're right – the beach is a disgrace with all the garbage.

      Is there a sign for NO LITTERING? Are there any public garbage cans there? Does any community organization ever attempt to clean this? Parks Dept?

      It's amazing to me how ignorant people can be to just leave garbage behind. It's not just these "outsiders", I see garbage and dog crap way too often on our streets. It's a crying shame (queue tearful Indian).

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 1

  • Gerritsen Girl

    I live in the area and walk my dog past there everyday and it's disgusting, I have no problem with anyone coming down to enjoy a day at the beach but clean it up for God's sake. Take your trash with you, we have to live here and look at and smell you trash everyday, such pigs, I wonder what their neighborhoods look like, I can just imagine.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 1

  • Menace

    Those jet ski people are a total menace. Sure, why not rip around doing 40 miles an hour past the 5 mile an hour wake zone? No problem – until someone gets killed! Where the hell are the coast guard and harbor police? Every single day I can see them racing past the wake near my house.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1

    • beach bum

      be careful what you wish for, more cops coast guard checking every boat why not just fill in the creek and be done with it .

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2

  • beach bum

    are you people crazy, that has been a beach forever i know because i have the pictures. there were so many people on the beach then that in order to walk by you had to go in the water (before kiddy beach) and as far as the trash you are right they should take it with them. but why call people 'outsiders' did anyone ask where they were from? i doubt it.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 8

  • beach bum

    PS it looks likes there must be 25 to 30 people wow it's an invasion

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6

  • Anonymous

    Looks like a good time – they should pick up after themselves though.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0

  • Joyce

    In the PNW I learned from going hiking in the mountains: Pack it in, pack it out. It's not difficult. If you brought it with you, you can take it back home.

    Even with regular camping, we always left our camp site cleaner than we found it.

    What would be fun is to have a camera set up, take pics of the people who leave trash and then the license plate of the car they get into when they leave. Heh.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 0

  • Mary E

    ok folks get real…this is not GB private property…and long before there was a Kiddie Beach…this was a well used beach.. I know because I grew up in Marine Park and my father took us there a lot…but the beach was much bigger..now very overgrown…the entire neighborhood used that beach..and everyone knew if the horn went off you better find a way to call home…..people took the bus to get there..learned to water ski there and drive a boat……the barge at the point was quite large and the beach there was also pretty large…Kiddie Beach came to be because GB residents wanted a private protected beach….used to be a lot of garbage cans there..but they seem to disappear…yeah people should take their trash with them……

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 5

  • The Other Guy At The

    "Do they clean up after themselves? I have one word to answer that:NYET!"

    How do you know they're Russian? I don't see any of the tell-tale signs: speedo-clad men, beluga-shaped women, hairy everything…

    Not being from the neighborhood, I didn't even know this place existed. I doubt the Russians know either.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 9

  • yes

    oh,they know.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1

  • Jim Donovan

    Gerritsen was put on the map because of this site, now everyone knows we are here and the neighborhood is changing very rapidly and we are not going to be able to stop it. Thanks.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 6

    • Anonymous

      it's not like you got to get on a ferry to get there,how many people drive all the way down gerritsen ave thinking they can get to the belt pkwy?,maybe a gate should have been put around g.b.but then the very same people who whine about outsiders coming in are the same ones who won't pay any higher taxes to do that now would they?you can't have it both ways,looking through an outsiders perspective,with the shanty irish reputation you take so much pride in, if there was a gate around g.b. people would be happy that they're keeping you inside!and don't think for one minute that even the most die hard gerritsen beach neighborhood staple wouldn't sell their home to russians if the price is right..you can't stop the invasion of unwanted outsiders,you can only deal with it until you decide to run away to another state…and you eventually will

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2

      • Anonymous

        don’t think for one minute that even the most die hard gerritsen beach neighborhood staple wouldn’t sell their home to russians if the price is right..you can’t stop the invasion of unwanted outsiders,you can only deal with it until you decide to run away to another state…and you eventually will

        ===============================================

        I agree. GB isn't what it used to be regarding homes being sold by word of mouth, or were passed down thru generations of families.

        Those days are long gone due to the advent of real estate offices popping up on every corner.

        I'm sure many beach people would sell to Russians, Chinese, etc. if the price was right. In those terms, you can't stop the inevitable invasion.

        We moved, or ran away many years ago to a place where there's quality of life.

        Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful childhood growing up in the area. It ain't the same today. Sorry folks. Don't mean to burst your bubble.

        Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 8 Thumb down 8

        • Anonymous

          The good old days of run down bungalos, wild dogs, overrun lots, kids running around in diapers, raw sewage, lake size puddles. You people have a warped sense of history. Please leave now if you long for those days – the neighborhood will be better off.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 9 Thumb down 6

          • Anonymous

            True – the only bad thing that has changed is the increase in rentals. When people rent, they don't care as much for the upkeep as property owners.

            Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0

        • Anonymous

          nothing is the same anymore times they are a changin but the beach is still a great place. anywhere you move has its pro's and con's no place is perfect!!!!! you can't run from everything because everything is everywhere!

          Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0

    • WonderingMind

      Jim, is that a good thing ?? I know many people like it being able to just fly under the radar and no one know.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

    • Mr. Colongee

      "Gerritsen was put on the map because of this site, now everyone knows we are here and the neighborhood is changing very rapidly and we are not going to be able to stop it."

      That's a load of Bullshit. What you are actually describing happened way before this site existed. Gotta agree with the previous comment. The arrival and invasion of Real Estate offices that popped up on the Avenue many years ago, not this site, put this neighborhood "on the map". Driven by pure profit, they fundamentally changed this neighborhood, more than this site ever can or will do. That includes GB residents who went around snatching up empty lots, building 2 family houses and renting to anybody who could pay the rent. The neighborhood IS changing very rapidly. But STOP blaming this site for that. Put the blame for a changing neghborhood where it belongs. Real Estate Greed.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1

      • The Other Guy At The

        I concur. The idea that this website is putting the neighborhood "on the map" is nonsense. People wouldn't find GB.net if they didn't already know about GB. And quite frankly, since this site reports news and problems in the neighborhood, it doesn't always make it look like the quaint, quiet beach town the Daily News likes to make it sound like; add to that the rude and oft-racist comments here, and this site is helping the cause to keep people OUT.

        But that's not to bash on GB.net. It's doing its job, and a good, necessary job it does. To blame it for anything other than highlighting the portions of the neighborhood that need improvement is a fallacy.

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

        • Jim Donovan

          Putting our business on the site does not help this community at all.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 5 Thumb down 7

          • Mr. Colongee

            Putting our business on this site really helped the Hayes family at a time when they needed it, now, didn't it? I know it's hard, or almost impossible for a Donovan to admit he was wrong, but you blaming this site for "changing the neighborhood very rapidly, and we are not gonna be able to stop it" was complete and utter BS. You are right that it's changing; just wrong about who you are blaming. You are right that we are not gonna be able to stop it; unless it is possible (but highly illegal)to run out of town and shut down all the greedy and unscrupulous Real Estate offices and agents that are the real culprits in ripping this neighborhood apart and changing it forever.

            Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1

          • Jim Donovan

            Whether I am right or wrong is not the issue, and please don’t make it so. Insulting my family does not have anything to do with the comments made above so please try to refrain from making this personal with idiotic remarks such as the one you made in your post. This site has done a few good things I agree as I have told the facilitator of this site many times.

            The real issue is the constant BS comments that come from anonymous outsiders discussing community affairs and bias reporting without proper journalistic investigation. This site has caused animosity and in fighting among some of our community organizations, which have led to strained relationships among its members and the resignation of some good people that have serviced the community for a long time due to the anonymous defamatory attacks on these good people. This has put a strangle hold on these organizations from doing what they do best, helping the community. In addition, this site has posted personal information about some of our resident’s family problems that have no good reason for being here and has added more heartache to those families. That’s not helping; it’s causing sensationalism for the reporter’s ego due the amount of hits the site gets.

            Yes, in addition to this site, the real estates and politicians are a major part of the problem there is no denying that. Posting meeting minutes of an organization because they feel they have the right too is self-serving at best and not good for the community as a whole. If this site wants to be at the forefront of helping get the word out to the people that live here in Gerritsen, than they should change their approach. There is no need air our community laundry whether dirty or clean for all the world to see. Keep it local to the community, where as if you want to comment and/or read all of the day’s community events, you must be a verified Gerritsen resident with a login and password.

            Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 8

          • Anonymous

            You are delirious. Why dont you start your own site and get anyone you want to register and read whatever you write.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2

          • Anonymous

            "Posting meeting minutes of an organization because they feel they have the right too is self-serving at best and not good for the community as a whole."

            What's the point in being a "community organization" if you don't want to let the community know what you're doing?

            Ridiculous! You know what's really self-serving? Secrecy.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

  • Anonymous

    I was just there and its a mess a full trucks worth of garbage lies everywhere . Why should anyone bother them do we not see the illegally dumped firewood all over the neighborhood in every empty lot ! We should go after our own first before we start worrying about outsiders /

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1

  • What's the big

    People It's a beach, it's alway's been that way, yes it's true people come from out of the neighborhood and leave their garbage everywhere, maybe at your next meeting you should mentioned putting up signs and having garbage cans put on the beach… and as for the Jet skis people have been riding for years down there, i don't think its really a big deal… there's worse things to worry about in life….

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2

    • Anonymous

      Amen

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3

    • Anonymous

      If you lived on the water it would be a big deal. They speed thru the creek creating waves they wreck havoc on the docks and damage the boats. They harrass the swans, ducks and other wildlife. They prevent people from being able to enjoy any peace and quiet with the constant roaring up and down. They make it impossible to swim anymore because they drive like assholes and don't look out for people swimming or in small craft. It used to be a place where you could go out in a rowboat or small sailboat and enjoy the beauty. Not anymore. And MOST of these Jet Skis don't come from people who live here, they are out of Venice Marina and they have no business ruining our quality of life.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1

      • Anonymous

        I was not talking about the creek but i understand where your coming from when they ride through the canal they do go to fast but it's not every person on a ski I've seen many times boats coming thought that canal too fast as well…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1

        • Anonymous

          Mmmm, do you know the difference between the Creek and the Canal? The Canal is the little strip that runs from the avenue to Shellbank Creek – between Gotham Ave and Bartlett Place. It was man made and used to bring the pre fab houses and other materials in during the building of Gerrittsen Beach by Gerrittsen Associates during the 1920's. It was to be filled in afterwards, but they went bankrupt, so all those people with waterfromt houses on the Canal simply lucked out. Althgough, they have polluted it beyond belief. Shellbank Creek runs parallel to Knapp Street and Broad Creek runs parallel to the Belt Pkwy. So what ARE you talking about? And yes, boats are a big problem as well, including the fact that there are no more Marine Gas Stations anywhere around except the Tamaqua so many of the boats coming thru are too large and are going too fast. There is also the problem of the creek getting narrower and narrower because of the addition every year (it seems) to the outcropping of docks at Venice. Not to mention residents running mini-marinas. The quality of life and health is going way down here. I know it is hard for new people to see, but there is a HUGE cancer problem here and I'm sure alot of it can be attributed to the increase in boat traffic and the sheer size of these gas guzzling monsters and the proliferation of Jet Skis.

          Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2

          • Anonymous

            Yes i do know the difference i've lived here my whole life… thanks for the history of the canal and the creek… NASTY!!! my whole point was that it's not just the Jet ski's going though both the Creek and the Canal too fast it's also the boats.. thats all i was trying to say.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1

          • Anonymous

            Didn't mean to be nasty, I apologize if it came off that way. I am very frustrated by the entire situation and people who move in here with no clue and I have heard many of them refer to the Creeks as "the Canal". Some of the boats coming into the Creek now to get gas are ENORMOUS and spewing toxic fumes in both directions. And I sincerely believe there is a connection between them and the fact that all of my neighbors have had cancer, have died of cancer. All this traffic is no good, boats, jet skis. It used to be that people had a small dock with a couple of boats on it. Now these people move in a cram as many slips as they can into the space, it's ridiculous. Again, sorry if my frustration and anger at what is happening to my beloved GB sounded as a personnal attack. It wasn't meant to be.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

          • Anonymous

            So if the Tamaqua only pumped gas for the people who are docked by them thus forcing all other marine traffic over to by the TGIF for gas this marine promblem caught be cut in half if not totally eliminated.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

          • Anonymous

            No, Venice Marina always had a gas dock for the boats parked there. Now that is gone, so all the boats come all the way down the creek to the Qua for gas. By TGIF never had a gas dock, don't know what your talking about there….but Rockaway had a gas dock, by The Wharf and that is also now gone, so boats from Rockaway and even coming up from the south, THE REALLY BIG ONES are making their way down the creek to the Tamaqua. You can read the tags, Delaware, Rhode Island, The Carolinas etc. I believe that the requirements and regulations made it too expensive to replace the tanks and conform, so they all closed. Does anyone know if Sheepshead still has one? It's like every boat in the world is now travelling down the Creek for gas.

            Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0

          • Anonymous

            Very good point. Has this been addressed by our representatives?

            Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0

          • Anonymous

            i'm sure those greedy "qua" brothers dont mind it too much

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1

  • Anonymous

    That's ok i understand where everyone is coming from, I just didn't want the blame being put soley on jet ski's I think it has to do with everyone as well, and i'm sorry about your neighbors…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

  • MaryE

    Interesting that now all that is wrong in the beach is the fault of the Real Estates on the avenue…. This is such a falicy….the fact is that today's world is very different from our youth or our parents. most of the current home buying generation from here looks to move elsewhere….how many of you actually have kids who stayed here? 50%??? if that???more opt for SI and NJ..because they want bigger homes and more property…..

    and to sell a home today requires a RE agent…check the "for sale by owner" signs on homes and see how long they are there…..people sell for many reasons…..we cannot walk in our neighbors pocket…and most people buying in the community invest a lot of money in their homes..helping your property values…how many of your neighbors have sold their extra lots if they could????

    The fact is this is still an affordable neighborhood…which is why people seek it out…buyers and RE agents from across the borough have access to homes for sale here…via many other venues than RE agents..including many websites…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 4

  • Anonymous

    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8

    • Anonymous

      "Now everyone gets to read our bizz and it makes us look like a white trash neighborhood".

      It’s true that anyone solely going to this site and not venturing into the neighborhood would get a somewhat skewed sense of the true beauty of this place but it is what it is. I would argue for more photos and positive public event articles but unfortunately those aren't going to get as many hits. Ironically, this website might be scaring some potentially good residents away – but isn't that what the people complaining about this site want -to keep away ‘outsiders’?

      Yet, if the shoe fits – we should have to address it.

      Let me see, could the negative “white trash” image be coming from the white kids destroying the bus shelters; white kids smoking marijuana and drinking beer down in the courts in front of people's homes; white kids riding illegal ATVs and Jet Skis; white kids throwing things at drivers during Halloween; white kids spray painting over public and private property; white people refusing to fix up there falling down fences and beat up homes; white people staggering out of local bars and getting into cars, etc, etc.

      Is it better neighborhood if we talk about to each other but nothing gets done? The light of day buddy – it is what it is.

      Having said all that, I'll take this neighborhood over almost any other. In fact I did, which is why I live here and love it here. The things above happen in every NYC neighborhood to one degree or another. I'm sure there are other racial epitaphs for those areas. We just shouldn’t be under the delusions that we’re any more special. Trashy behavior is trashy behavior – this site is what it is, for now, among other things it’s a place where these things are bought to light. I'm not ashamed of my neighborhood because kids need to learn to behave or we have the occasional lazy resident slob. I'm proud of my neighborhood because it’s blessed with natural beauty, full of hard working civil servants and professionals, and we speak truthfully – especially amongst each other. If others have a problem with that – too bad.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0

  • George Broadhead

    Would you call a graduate with a degree in computer science; an established entrepreneur, recently selected for a position over more than 400 applicants for a well-paying position, a loser?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

  • George Broadhead

    Art, are you asking if I'm still in the beach? The answer is yes. Are you still in Massachusetts? Out of our class, James Brandow and myself are living here, and Jimmy Amberger is on Staten Island; Jackie Barlow visits his brother, Artie who still lives here. Joan Kelly (don't remember her married name) lives nearby.

    The "obvious" was intended for reasons you are not familiar with about reactions to the publisher of this website.

    If you want to see your old classmate in action, click on Property Owners for videos of meetings.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

  • Anonymous

    Pretty crowded there today, I stopped counting cars at 20, even a bbq going for those in attendance

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

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