There are dozens of small islands located in and around New Jersey. Many are simply stretches of land teeming with wildlife, birds specifically; others offer a little more. Burlington Island was once home to an incredible amusement park (keep an eye out for a future article on this!), Shooter’s Island has a rich shipbuilding history, and Petty Island… Well, let me tell you about Petty Island.

Petty Island, also known as Petty's Island, is located between Camden and Philadelphia. It is officially part of Pennsauken Township.
Doc Searles/Wikipedia
William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) once owned the island, and John Petty purchased it in 1732. By the late 1700s and into the 1800s, it was a hotbed for crime including illegal gambling.
TedTenPADrone/YouTube
In the 1930s, the island was purchased for fuel storage. Who bought it? CITGO Petroleum Corporation (formerly Cities Service), whose majority shareholder is the Venezuelan Government.
Florida Keys Public Libraries/Wikipedia

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In 2000, CITGO ceased operations on the island. It was set to be purchased for residential development.
TedTenPADrone/YouTube
There were big plans for the island - a golf course, luxury homes, a hotel, and retail shops.
TedTenPADrone/YouTube
However, Bald Eagles were spotted on the island, changing everything.
TedTenPADrone/YouTube
In an unprecedented move, CITGO handed control of the island to the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. They also donated millions of dollars to fund the trust and build a visitor's center.

The island is still undergoing remediation efforts, which are set to be completed by 2021. In just a few years, the island will be an urban oasis with a spectacular view of the Philadelphia skyline. There are plans for environmental programs in the works, when the park is open to the public. For now, the island is only accessible through scheduled programs which sell out quickly. For information on tours, visit the New Jersey Audobon website. There was a tour scheduled for next week but it has been postponed due to social distancing guidelines. While we wait for this gem to be restored, we can enjoy the spectacular drone footage below, captured by YouTube user TedTenPADrones:

 

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Petty Island, Pennsauken Township, NJ, USA