Sea Gate is a private, gated community at the far western end of Coney Island at the southwestern tip of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.[1] It contains mostly single-family homes, some directly on Gravesend Bay. It is regularly patrolled by the Sea Gate Police Department which was established in 1899, though the New York City Police Department has joint jurisdiction over it.

History

The area that is now Sea Gate was once known as Norton’s Point.[1] The name came from the owner of a casino where the Coney Island Light now stands.[1] The neighborhood held a reputation for gambling before it was developed into a neighborhood.[1]

Sea Gate was developed into a full neighborhood in 1892 by developer Alrick Man.[1]

Surrounded on three sides by water, Sea Gate is vulnerable to the whims of mother nature. In 1992, a nor’easter pounded the neighborhood, forcing its evacuation. One house slid off its foundation into the sea, and the storm caused considerable erosion and damage. In 1995 the Army Corps of Engineers completed its work of replenishing Coney beaches and building new jetties, including a long jetty at the border of Sea Gate and Coney Island. Unfortunately, this ended up causing more erosion on the Atlantic side of Sea Gate, and an accumulation of sand on the bay side. The second phase of this beach replenishment project [2] has stirred some controversy.[3] Although Sea Gate residents pay federal, state, and local taxes, in addition to Sea Gate homeowners fees, some people think tax dollars should not go to helping refurbish a private beach.

Description

Residents refer to Sea Gate as “the gate,” and venturing into adjoining Coney Island as going “out the gate.” [1] At present, here are no stores in the neighborhood.[1], but once there were a handful. There is no universally recognized name for residents of the community: “Sea Gatians” and “Sea Gaters” are sometimes heard.

Sea Gate’s gated neighborhood is made up of 832 single-family homes, as of 2010.[1] Homes in the neighborhood represent a variety of styles and architecture, including Queen Anne Style and Mediterranean.[1]

Demographics

In addition to long time residents, Sea Gate has seen an influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union in recent years.[1] Residents now represent Azerbaijan, Belarus, Poland, Romania and Ukraine, according to the 2000 U.S. census.[1]

Parks

In addition to the large and private beach areas, Sea Gate has two parks:

• A playground with a basketball court, skateboard ramps and children’s jungle gym pieces is located next to the Sea Gate Community Center on Surf Avenue.
• Lindbergh Park near the Coney Island Light at Norton’s Point is a sandy/grassy patch of land with stunning views of Lower New York Harbor and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. “Lindy Park,” as it is known to residents, has a children’s playground, spectacular panoramic ocean/bay views, and space for sitting, picnicing, kite flying, baseball playing, or just enjoying the ocean.

A quiet place for families where children are able to play. Many homes have much land and those close to the sea can enjoy the sounds,the fishing and swimming.

Summer is when Sea Gate comes alive with people of all ages walking the streets in bathing attire as they stroll to their favorite and private beach area.

The beaches in Sea Gate are uncrowded and patrolled during the summer by lifeguards. The Seagate beach is private and visitors must show beach passes. Beach access is also offered to members of the Seagate Beach Club. The beach club, originally for residents, is now privately run and open to anyone who pays for membership.

Landmarks

Located on Beach 47th Street in Sea Gate is the 75-foot-tall (23 m) Coney Island Light which is a lighthouse built in 1890, before the area was populated. The lighthouse is the former home of Frank Schubert, the United States’ last civilian lighthouse keeper.[1] Schubert died in 2003.[1]

The chapel, once used for services and built in 1901, is a historical building now used for social events, yoga classes, and is a polling site at election times. The Chapel with its stained-glass windows is the first structure seen when entering the main (police protected) gate.[1]

Brighton Beach, also known as “LittleOdessa” Chinatown Coney Island Gerritsen Beach Gravesend Homecrest Manhattan Beach Mapleton, Grays Farm Midwood Sea Gate Sheepshead Bay