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Staten Island's Fresh Kills Landfill Transforming Into Park

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was once the world's largest landfill, but now it's undergoing a major transformation.

As WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported, the loud, belching trucks that used to dump New York City's trash in the Fresh Kills Landfill have been replaced by birds, hikers and kayakers.

Staten Island's Fresh Kills Landfill Transforming Into Park

Freshkills Park administrator Eloise Hirsh said this is the fifth year they've opened the park to the public.

"It's not open yet everyday. We're opening it in sections, but we want people to really come in and get a sense of what it will be," Hirsh said.

Lynn, of Staten Island, said the park is a welcome change, especially when it comes to smell.

"Certain places you wouldn't want to buy a house because the odor from here," she said.

The land is almost three times the size of Central Park, and it is expected to take about 25 years to complete the transformation from landfill to beautiful park.

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