Celebrate Gerritsen Beach Centennial

Senate Resolution No. 2644 BY: Senator GOUNARDES COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Gerritsen Beach neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be observed with a myriad of events throughout the years beginning with The Great Gatsby Gala on Friday, January 24, 2020, at The El Caribe, and later, a multi-day carnival celebration; and WHEREAS, The neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach lies on a small peninsula located in the Southeastern part of Brooklyn; this beautiful community boasts picturesque views of Shell Bank Creek and Plumb Beach Channel, charming narrow streets and close-set homes, and is often likened to a New England fishing village; and WHEREAS, Gerritsen Beach was named for Wolfert Gerritsen, a 17th Century settler, who built a house in the area when it was mostly marshland; and WHEREAS, Around 1920, a company called Realty Associates began building summer homes in the Gerritsen Beach area, and as the area grew, the Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1922, and continues to be an integral part of the community; and WHEREAS, The next year, a creek was dredged to form Shell Bank Canal, which divides the peninsula into the old section and the new section; and WHEREAS, Within a couple of decades, Gerritsen Beach became more than a summer destination, it became the tight-knit, family oriented and hardworking community that it remains today; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years, various organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and preserving the geniality of the neighborhood have become pillars of the Gerritsen Beach community; these organizations include Gerritsen Beach Cares and the Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association; and WHEREAS, Gerritsen Beach is a caring place, and is home to many community-oriented and charitable events like Dan's 5K Fun Run-Walk for Cancer, which has been raising money for cancer research and treatment organizations for almost two decades; and WHEREAS, The Gerritsen Beach neighborhood provides an exceptional environment in which to dwell, work, and raise a family; today's residents are proud to boast they truly thrive in Gerritsen Beach; and WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth and change, the neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach continues its commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its residents, ensuring a positive business and social climate; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Gerritsen Beach of Brooklyn, New York, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to John Douglas, President, Gerritsen Beach Cares, and John Mooney, President, Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association.