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All the United States New York State New York City Greenfield Center Lester Park

Lester Park

Fossilized sea bottom and lime quarry.

Greenfield Center, New York

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eklie
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  eklie / Atlas Obscura User
Fossilized stromatolites   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
The stromatolites form beautiful, concentric patterns.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
Stromatolites in the snow   annaliesethegnome / Atlas Obscura User
  annaliesethegnome / Atlas Obscura User
A microhabitat formed by a weathered crack in the stromatolites   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
  eklie / Atlas Obscura User
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Stand on visual evidence of 490 million-year-old sea life that changed the very composition of our atmosphere.

These stromatolites (layered stone) formed when New York was the bottom of a tropical sea located south of the equator. The formations were created as mats of cyanobacteria (a type of photosynthetic nitrogen fixing bacteria commonly know as "blue-green algae") went through tidal growth spurts. Other marine fossils can be spotted between the undulating stone mats. An important scientific discovery, these fossils were the first of their kind to be found in the North America. Learn more from the "teach-yourself" panels at the site.

Donated in 1914 this land is persevered by the New York State Museum as a "scientific reservation." In addition to their scientific importance, these ancient sea blooms present a beautiful glimpse of nature's curious geometry and wonder.

On the opposite side of road is a crumbling lime kiln and abandoned quarry from the early 1900s you can walk through.

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Fossils

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The park is marked with a blue and yellow sign from the NY State Education Department. There's a small pull off area to park your car.

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Added By

eklie

Edited By

annaliesethegnome, Johnmeszaros, Brewdiggy

  • annaliesethegnome
  • Johnmeszaros
  • Brewdiggy

Published

October 24, 2016

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Lester Park
33-39 Lester Park Rd
Greenfield Center, New York
United States
43.091843, -73.848011
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