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Education Programs
Visitor Center at Newtown Creek
The Visitor Center is open for education programs by appointment only. If you would like to learn about public tours, please visit the Digester Egg Tour webpage.
Located at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek is the only facility within the five boroughs where you can experience New York City’s water infrastructure. Through guided education programs, students can discover the journey our drinking water takes to get to our taps, the process of cleaning our wastewater before it is released into surrounding waterways, and stewardship opportunities.
Plan Your Visit
To request an education program for pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students, undergraduate and graduate classes, educators, and other professionals, visit our page on Explorable Places. Please contact our education office at educationoffice@dep.nyc.gov or 718-595-3506 for additional information.
Location
Visitor Center at the Newtown Creek WRRF
329 Greenpoint Avenue
Greenpoint, Brooklyn NY, 11222
The Visitor Center entrance is at the intersection of Greenpoint Avenue and Humboldt Street.
Directions to the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek
Educational Resources to Support Your Visit
We have a multitude of resources that will help to prepare you and your students for your program at the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek. To get started, we recommend visiting Resources for Educators.
How do I book an education program for my school or educational organization?
Please book on the Explorable Places website. You will then be contacted by educationoffice@dep.nyc.gov to plan your visit. Please be mindful that programs tend to book up 6-8 weeks in advance.
Is there a fee to book programs?
No, all DEP education programs are free.
How many visitors can come at one time?
We typically allow up to one class at a time, or approximately 30 students.
What should we expect?
Programs take place mostly indoors at the Visitor Center, and typically include a presentation, activity , and tour. The tour will be indoors and outdoors, and will include walking up and down stairs and standing for periods of time.
How long is the program?
The program is 90 minutes, and can include an additional 30 minutes if you are planning to have a bagged lunch on site.
I made a booking but do not see a response. What should I do?
Please check your Junk or Spam folder, and look for an email from educationoffice@dep.nyc.gov. Please allow one week for a response to your initial booking request before sending an inquiry email or making a phone call. Making a request does not guarantee a confirmed program at the Visitor Center.
How can I best prepare my students for a tour?
All visitors must wear closed-toe and back shoes and have a waiver form completed prior to the day of your program. Visitors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete their waiver form. During the tour, visitors must wear a hardhat and safety vest to comply with facility safety guidelines. To best prepare students for the content of the tour, please refer to Resources for Educators.
What kind of programs do you offer?
In addition to education programs at the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek, we offer guided walking tours of the nearby Newtown Creek Nature Walk and virtual education programs of NYC’s Water Story. You can learn more and book these programs online using Explorable Places. If you’re interested in having a DEP Educator come to your school, planning a professional learning for you and your colleagues, or receiving education resources, please contact educationoffice@dep.nyc.gov.
Do I need to book a guided tour to go to the Newtown Creek Nature Walk?
No, the Newtown Creek Nature Walk is open to the public dawn to dusk, weather permitting. The Nature Walk is ADA accessible. There are water fountains but no bathrooms. To learn more and view our educational materials, visit the Newtown Creek Nature Walk page.
I am not an educator but would love to come on a tour of the Newtown Creek Digester Eggs. What should I do?
All in-person Digester Egg public tours have been suspended at this time. Please visit Digester Egg Tours to learn more and find out when they resume. We look forward to seeing you in the future!