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Laura Neilson, NPS
Contact: Daphne Yun, 718-354-4602 Gateway National Recreation Area will open the Great Kills Park's boat ramp to the public for the first time since Hurricane Sandy beginning Saturday, May 25. "We are so happy that we are able to open the boat ramp to accommodate our local boaters and anglers," said Gateway Superintendent Linda Canzanelli. "More importantly, we would not have been able to open the boat ramp if it weren't for the help of volunteers from the community, especially The Committee to Save the Great Kills Park Marina Committee and Peter Bathurst." "With Memorial Day right around the corner, the re-opening of the boat ramp at Great Kills Park Marina is great news for Staten Island's boating community. I am pleased to see National Park Service working hand-in-hand with The Committee to Save Great Kills Park Marina Community to make sure that this hard-hit marina gets back up and running as soon as possible." said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. "Thanks to the advocacy of the boating community and the dedication of the National Park Service, Staten Islanders will again be able to enjoy one of our region's greatest natural resources. While there is still work to be done, the re-opening of the boat ramp at Great Kills Park Marina is an important step forward as New Yorkers continue to rebuild, and get back on our feet." said U.S. Senator Kristin Gillibrand. "The re-opening of the ramp is a big step in the right direction for those who have been working to get Staten Island boaters back in the water, and it would not have been possible without the hard work and partnership of volunteers from The Committee to Save the Great Kills Park Marina Community and the hard working people of the National Park Service" said Representative Michael Grimm. Parking permits for designated spaces will be available at the Great Kills Visitor Center starting Thursday at 9 a.m., and are $50. We do want to remind our boaters that there is debris in the harbor, to be careful and that you boat at your own risk. About Gateway National Recreation Area Established in 1972, Gateway National Recreation Area offers more than 26,000 acres of marshes, wildlife sanctuaries and recreational athletic facilities, miles of sandy beaches; indoor and outdoor classrooms; picnicking and camping areas, as well as historic structures and military installations, airfields, a lighthouse, and adjacent waters around New York harbor. The park offers urban residents in two states a wide range of recreational opportunities year round. It is one of the ten most visited national parks in the country. For information about Gateway's upcoming public programs, see the park's Web site at https://www.nps.gov/gate/index.htm. |
Last updated: February 26, 2015