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National Parks of New York Harbor Hurricane Closure Information

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Date: August 26, 2011
Contact: Jane Ahern, 212-363-3206 x 106

Contacts:
Manhattan Sites: Superintendent Shirley McKinney at 347-678-7013
Gateway National Recreation Area: Deputy Superintendent Suzanne McCarthy at 917-731-1997
Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Public Affairs Officer Jane Ahern at 212-363-3206 x106 (phone) or 917-299-3843 (mobile)

August 26, 2011
All National Park Sites in Manhattan, as well as all units of Gateway National Recreation Area and Governors Island will be closed to visitors on Saturday, August 27th and will remain closed through Sunday, August 28th. These national parks plan to reopen, conditions permitting, on Monday August 29th after the storms impact has been assessed and it is deemed safe for visitor use.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island will be closed from Saturday, August 27 through Monday, August 29, 2011. "The safety of our visitors and employees is our top priority at this time," said National Parks of New York Harbor Commissioner Maria Burks. "Our park employees are also currently working diligently to protect park resources."

For visitors who have reserved ferry tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument during the closure, they may contact Statue Cruises directly at 201-604-2800. Ticket holders can reschedule for another day or they can receive a full refund. For more information about Statue Cruises visit their website at www.statuecruises.com

"We will assess both Liberty and Ellis Islands first thing Monday morning and make a determination at that time about how soon we can safely reopen the park," said Superintendent David Luchsinger. "The complexity of the park's vessel operations makes it necessary for the park to remain closed on Monday as well."

National parks throughout the Northeast are completing preparations for the storm. National Park Service Incident management and damage assessment teams have been called out and will be in place and on standby. Visitors can visit park websites at www.nps.gov/npnh and twitter for updates on the status of park operations.

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Did You Know?

Ellis Island's Distinctive Facade and Towers

Although Ellis Island is federal property and has always been historically considered in New York, the U.S. Supreme Court appointed a "Special Master" to mediate. The ruling in 1998 determined that the original island belongs to New York and the rest of the island, added after 1834, belongs to New Jersey.