Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Westerleigh

Featured Listing: One Of The Most Unique Homes In Westerleigh

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on October 2nd, 2014

Westerleigh is one of the most desirable neighborhoods on Staten Island. It features lavish colonial and ranch homes, but some may not know the grand victorian house on the corner of Wardwell and Waters Avenue.

273 Wardwell Avenue was built back in the late 1800's although public records say 1905, the house was originally occupied by a Dr. Green who practiced in the house. Since Dr. Green, the Queen Anne Victorian house had been sold throughout the years and homed many families.

The architecture is beyond unique, no house in the area resembles any similarities:

Cedar shingles cut in different patterns - as a signature from the original architect - and clap board siding. This creates a complex texture to the exterior.

The interior and…

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Summer Full of Fun at Westerleigh

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on June 12th, 2014

Newly renovated Westerleigh Park has been on the up and up lately. Westerleigh Improvement Society and Friends of Westerleigh Park teamed up to bring the beautiful neighborhood of Westerleigh a fun and eventful summer for all families. 

June 14 - Fitness Mobile    12-2PM June 21 - Make Music New York    3-9PM *June 22 - Patriotic Sunday In The Park    2-4PM July 1 - Puppet Mobile    12-12:30PM July 8 - Art In The Park    10AM-12PM July 15 - Art In The Park    10AM-12PM July 17 - Starlight Concert July 22 - Fitness Mobile    12-2PM July 29 - Skating In The Park    12-2PM Aug 8 - Army National Guard Band    7-9PM Aug 29 - Movie In The Park    TBA Sept 3 - Wag Your Tail Social    8-10PM Sept 13 - Westerleigh Park…

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Kid, Teen and Adult-Friendly Attractions for the Summer

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on May 2nd, 2014

Do you ever think to yourself that "there's nothing to do on Staten Island"? Well...you are wrong. Besides the usual shopping at Staten Island Mall, going to Ralph's Ices or the movies, Staten Island has a lot more to offer:

1. The Staten Island Zoo is always a focal point when school is out. The Zoo recently had new additions to its exotic inventory. There are also class/group programs specified for age groups.
2. Need to blow off some fun without getting in trouble? 5050 Skatepark is NYC's open indoor skate park and is opened 7 days a week to all bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerbladers. They also offer summer sessions up to 8 weeks long.
3. Staten Island Children's Museum urge to nurture the creativity and curiosity natural to all children,…

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New Addition to the "NY Biggest Little Zoo"

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on April 15th, 2014

The Staten Island Zoo unveiled its new $3,545,000 million Amur Leopard Exhibit last November after 12 years of planning. The exhibit is now the home to leopards - Valeri, Kolya and Fitty. Capital funds were allocated by former Mayor Bloomberg through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Zoo revealed it's plans back in the fall of 2012 when the Zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary. The exhibit is 4,500-square feet and three-stories tall, replicating the leopards' natural habitat. Their new home consists of: real and fake trees for climbing, heated rocks for relaxing, and a pond. The zoo now has one of the largest exhibits for Amur leopards in the country.

The Amur Leopard is the world's rarest cat and is also known as the Far…

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Staten Island History in the Late 1880's

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on February 14th, 2014

In late March of 1886, the Richmond County Advance was first published.

Almost 30 years later,  John J. Crawford, a printer, and James C. Kennedy, a businessman, put their minds together and created the four-page weekly paper. This became the forerunner to the Staten Island Advance. There were nine newspapers on the Island at the time, but the Advance surpassed all others. The paper wanted to provide "a live, independent, local newspapers, devoted to the interests of Staten Island."

Its name changed to Daily Advance before it became known as the Staten Island Advance.

National Prohibition Park. Courtesy of Library of Congress

July 1888, Prohibition Park in Westerleigh became a model community for temperance supporters.

In…

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Westerleigh Park Gets a Makeover

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on November 30th, 2013

You can find some of Westerleigh Park's history here.  Staten Island Advance reported that the park is getting some new additions and a face lift. 

Some of the improvements are:

• Drains and 'rain gardens' to prevent any storm water damage 
• Repaved walkways and new paved stones at the entrances

The Parks Department is investing million dollars for these improvements; Borough President James Molinaro, Debi Rose and James Oddo are funding this project.

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Westerleigh Park

Posted by Tom Crimmins Realty, Ltd. on October 17th, 2013

John Vanderbilt first purchased Westerleigh Park, and the neighborhood of Westerleigh, in 1848. In 1887, Vanderbilt sold the 25-acres of Westerleigh to Christopher S. Williams and William H. Boole; Williams and Boole bought the property in hopes of a summer retreat courtesy of National Prohibition Campground. Originally named as the National Prohibition Park, the neighborhood changed their name to correspond with the Westerleigh Collegiate Institute of Staten Island. This was the first institute that provided a kindergarden-college education. 

Facilities/Attractions
Bandstand	'Comfort Station'
Benching	Flagpole

Westerleigh became popular around the time of the temperance movement; which is why the park was an…

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