|
Contact: Daphne Yun, acting public affairs specialist, 718-354-4602
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Update "Many people use Gateway for numerous outdoor activities, from fishing and kayaking to bird watching. Our staff has worked diligently to get the park ready for the summer season and to ensure areas are safe before re-opening after Hurricane Sandy," said Superintendent Linda Canzanelli. The following areas of the park are already open to the public; Fort Wadsworth, Great Kills Park (with the exception of Crooke's Point), the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Floyd Bennett Field, Frank Charles Park and Hamilton Beach. The park is pleased to announce more opening dates. Our campgrounds at Floyd Bennett field open tomorrow, March 1st, and we will open our other two campgrounds at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island on May 1st. To make a reservation at any of our campgrounds please visit https://www.recreation.gov. Some fishing areas are already open, others, such as Crooke's Point will open soon. Unfortunately some fishing areas won't be open this year due to safety issues. 2012 fishing permits will be honored through March 31st, and 2013 permits will be available after March 15th. Most guarded beach areas will open as normal for the summer season, beginning Memorial Day Weekend. The Sandy Hook Unit will open May 1st. Three beach areas, (B, Gunnison and North Beach) will open on Memorial Day weekend. The repairs to the wastewater treatment plant will not be finished by this date, so some beach areas may be serviced by temporary restroom facilities. The repairs to the ferry service and bike path at Sandy Hook may not be completed by Memorial Day weekend. Much of the Staten Island Unit is already open to the public, including Fort Wadsworth and most of Great Kills Park. Crooke's Point at Great Kills Park will open on March 15th. The beaches at Great Kills Park will open on Memorial Day weekend. An underwater assessment will begin next week for the marina at Great Kills Park, and the park expects to have a report by the end of March. Once the report has been received, the park will continue to move forward on that project. In addition, park staff is working hard to ensure that the athletic fields at Miller Field will be open and available to accommodate youth leagues this spring. Riis Park will open on Memorial Day weekend. Fort Tilden Beach will be closed this summer due to safety concerns, but the facilities at Fort Tilden, including the Rockaway Little League, will be open for the summer. Canarsie Pier remains closed until an engineering study can be done. "We look forward to another great summer season at Gateway National Recreation Area," said Superintendent Canzanelli. "We want to again thank you for your patience and support as we work to re-open the park. We know and appreciate the important role Gateway plays in the lives of you and your family and friends."
|
Last updated: February 26, 2015