The Collect Pond has a great history.
This site gives a good overview of some of the amazing changes our area has gone through over the centuries.
http://keithyorkcity.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/the-collect-pond-new-yorks-first-source-of-water-was-filled-in-to-become-five-points-the-worst-slum-in-american-history/