Prall's Island

Prall's Islands is an uninhabited island in the Arthur Kill between Staten Island, New York, and Linden, New Jersey, in the United States. It is one of the minor islands that are part of the borough of Staten Island in New York City. The island has an area of 88 acres (0.36 km²).

The island is named for descendants of early Staten Island settler Arendt Jansen Prall Van Naarden (c1647-1725), [in Dutch, Praal] ; probably his grandson Abraham Prall (1706-1775) a local farmer [ [http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11352 PRALL'S ISLAND - Historical Sign ] ] . It was originally known as Dongan’s Island, after New York Governor Thomas Dongan (1634-1715), who took the office in 1688. The name was later corrupted to Duncan’s Island. Prall’s Island did not take hold until the late 19th century. The island is now owned by the City of New York and is maintained by New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as a bird sanctuary. [recent reports on wading bird and gull nesting activity at Prall's Island [http://www.nycaudubon.org/projects/harborherons/HHSurveyReports.shtml Harbor Herons Nesting Survey] ]

References

* [http://www.nycaudubon.org/projects/harborherons NYC Audubon Harbor Herons Project]