November 23, 2009
Hear Every Voice
Hear Every Voice: NYC and the National Park Service can now be seen online at www.thirteen.org. Created by Stephen Ogumah, this video documents a civic engagement project with the residents of Brooklyn and Queens, particularly the Caribbean immigrant communities. It was produced in partnership with Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and Gateway National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. This project was created to coincide with the airing of the Ken Burns documentary about National Parks, America’s Best Idea, in September 2009.
November 05, 2009
Herbert Johnson Lecture Series for 2009
On November 11 and 18, the annual Herbert Johnson Lecture Series returns to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. This series is free and open to the public. Presentations will run from 7 PM to about 9 PM.
October 19, 2009
Termination of fort Hancock rehabilitation agreement announced
National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach today announced that an independent third party has concluded its final review of the financing commitments submitted by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC (SHP) for the rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook. Based on its review of all the information submitted, the independent third party reviewer, Maurice Robinson and Associates LLC, has determined that the financing commitments made by SHP are insufficient to meet the purposes and requirements of the lease.
Based on this determination, the NPS has notified Sandy Hook Partners President James S. Wassel that the lease is null and void.
October 13, 2009
Fort Hancock Days 2009
Step back in time at Sandy Hook during Fort Hancock Days! The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will hold Fort Hancock Days on Saturday evening, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, October 25 from noon to 4 p.m. to commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army facility on Sandy Hook in 1895. Join the Junior Ranger program and make model missiles, see a living history program and experience the life of Fort Hancock during the 1940s, or go back in time by watching WWII reinactments! There's something for everyone at Sandy Hook October 24-25.
September 28, 2009
2009 GMP Newsletter Translations Available
Gateway National Recreation Area is pleased to announce that its 2009 General Management Plan Newsletter is now available in four languages. "The diversity of the region surrounding Gateway is rich with many cultures. By providing the newsletter about this new planning process in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Russian, in addition to English, we hope to improve the dialogue between the park and the many visitors that recreate at Gateway," said Gateway General Superintendent Barry Sullivan. "This planning only comes around once every 20-plus years, so we need to not only share news about this effort but also receive valuable input from as many park users as possible."
September 21, 2009
National Parks Week New York City
On September 27, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns’ much anticipated new documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,will premier on PBS. What better time to let New Yorkers know about the national parks right here at home.
September 19, 2009
2009 September General Management Plan Open Houses
Visit our September Open Houses at Gateway National Recreation Area. Informal, open house meetings will give the public an opportunity to contribute their ideas as the National Park Service builds the new Gateway General Management Plan.
August 31, 2009
Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's Voyage
This September marks the 400th anniversary of the European discovery of New York Harbor by Henry Hudson. His discovery and exploration of the Hudson River marked the beginning of New York City as one of the nation’s most important centers for transportation and commerce.
August 27, 2009
Sandy Hook Beaches Reopen
On Tuesday afternoon there was a chlorine leak in the Sandy Hook Sewage Treatment Plant located on the eastern side of the peninsula, near Gunnison Beach. Hazmat teams responded and contained the leak. As a precaution, visitors were escorted off Gunnison Beach due to their proximity to the plant. No employees or visitors were injured. The source of the leak was discovered and repairs were made during the overnight hours. The plant is back in operation today.
August 24, 2009
Exceptional Park Projects by Exceptional People
It's not often that one hears the words results, accomplishments, independence, opportunity, experience, and pride in one conversation. But, if you spend a little time talking with Community Resources Program Manager Toni Decker and Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Park Ranger Steve Salgo, you will. They both have been instrumental in connecting people with developmental disabilities to valuable volunteer opportunities at GATE.
August 24, 2009
Fire Damages Miller Field
On Saturday evening, August 22, a US Park Police patrol officer discovered a fire in the public restrooms that are attached to the Miller Field Ranger Station. The fire caused extensive damage to the restrooms and the FDNY believes that either arson or an electrical problem is the cause. An investigation is underway.
August 21, 2009
Henry Hudson Quadricentennial
Celebrating Henry Hudson’s Quadricentennial
Free programs beginning Thursday, September 3 will take place at Fort Wadsworth to celebrate Hudson’s exploration here 400 years ago.
August 20, 2009
Free Shuttle at Riis Landing, Jamaica Bay
Gateway National Recreation Area is offering Manhattan riders who visit the park by New York Water Taxi ferry an opportunity to see more sites via the new National Park Service Visitor Transport Shuttle Service. The free shuttle originates at Riis Landing on the Rockaway Peninsula and stops at the Jacob Riis Park Boardwalk, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and at Floyd Bennett Field, including the Aviator Sports Center and the Historic
August 19, 2009
Wildlife Observation Platform Rebuilt
When a wildlife viewing platform at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey burned down in 2008, rebuilding it became an important project. The project was completed thanks to incredible teamwork, including funding from The Sandy Hook Foundation and the New Jersey Audubon Society.
August 19, 2009
No Strings Attached Sandy Hook Foundation Helps Park Adopt Fishing Line Recycling Program
Anglers at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area can now do their part for the environment thanks to a grant from the Sandy Hook Foundation that provides bins for recycling discarded fishing line. Monofilament fishing line, another name for single-strand, high-density, nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels and in the manufacturing of fishing nets, is responsible for untold damage to endangered marine wildlife such as birds, fish, manatees and sea turtles, and poses a hazard to boaters and swimmers.
August 17, 2009
New Pilot Park Shuttle Bus at Jamaica Bay
The Implementation Phase of the Jamaica Bay Alternative Transportation Feasibility Study,
conducted by U. S. DOT Volpe Transportation Systems Center, was completed May 2009. As a result of this study, Gateway National Recreation Area is providing a free shuttle service this summer.
August 17, 2009
This Week at Gateway: Programs from August 17-23 (Mon-Sun)
Come out and play this weekend at Gateway! There's plenty of activities for all interests at the park. For example, why not learn about why birds use Jamaica Bay as an important pitstop on their migrations route? Interested? You can join naturalist, Ron Bourque, at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. to take a look at migrant shorebirds and learn why Jamaica Bay is a hot spot for these long distance travelers. Wear waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars, drinking water, sun and insect protection.
August 12, 2009
NPS Announces Termination of Fort Hancock Rehabilitation Agreement
Philadelphia – National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach today announced that the NPS has concluded its evaluation of the financing commitments submitted by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC (SHP) for the rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook.
August 12, 2009
Teacher Not Whiling but Working and Blogging Away the Summer
For many people, a trip to one of our country’s national parks is the culmination of a life long dream. “I always wanted to see Yellowstone,” or “When we retire we’re going to see…(fill in the name of your favorite national park),” are just a few of the comments rangers hear from visitors. Indeed, visits to national parks enrich the lives of many in this nation. However, not everyone can take the big “dream vacation”— often due to a variety of social and economic factors. Also, many people don't realize that there are plenty of national parks, like Gateway National Recreation Area in NY/NJ, right near their own backyards. The National Park Service (NPS) Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program offers a solution for those who may never get to parks out west and beyond. At Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE), Teacher-Ranger Renay Moran-Kurklen is one of those teachers.
August 05, 2009
Citizen Science Program at Great Kills Park Helps Build Dragonfly Database
Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park is participating in the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas (SIDfA) program. Great Kills is located in the Staten Island Unit of GATE and the area provides habitat that contributes to specie richness and an abundance of dragonfly populations. The SIDfA project is the brainchild of the Nature Section of the Staten Island Museum. This 5-year project is designed to collect and analyze data about dragonfly populations on Staten Island. National Park Service (NPS) Volunteer Paul Lederer and Great Kills staff are participating in this citizen science endeavor to compile dragonfly information
August 04, 2009
Gateway Gives Butterflies a Break
With a wing span of only 3-4 inches across and a migratory journey hundreds of miles long, the Monarch butterfly could use a break don't you think? The Monarch is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies and two groups have been working together to see that there is a "butterfly break" for the Monarch and all butterflies that come to and through Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park on Staten Island.
July 28, 2009
Hooping It Up at Gateway's Miller Field
Teams "hooped it up" at Gateway's second annual 5-on-5 Basketball Tournament held last week at Miller Field. The tournament spans four weekends over the course of the summer, with the most recent tournament held on July 25. "It was a huge success," said tournament organizer and NPS Recreational Specialist Earnestine Robinson. "The weather was great too."
July 28, 2009
This Week at Gateway July 27-August 2 (Mon-Sun)
Gateway National Recreation Area spans from Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, NY to Sandy Hook, NJ. There's a variety of activities and programs for everyone. Take a look at what we have to offer this week.k
July 27, 2009
25th Annual All-Women's Lifeguard Tournament
The 2009 All-Women Lifeguard Tournament, presented by the National Park Service. The All-Women Lifeguard Tournament remains the largest tournament in the United States devoted solely to women’s competition. Two hundred competitors are expected. This year the tournament celebrates its 25th anniversary.
July 27, 2009
Changes Will Help Motorists Exit Sandy Hook
In an effort to better manage the traffic delays leaving Sandy Hook caused by New Jersey’s Highlands Bridge replacement project, today National Park Service officials met with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), including the Director of the Division of Traffic Operations and the Director of the Division of Construction Services and Materials. “The meeting was extremely productive,” said Dave Avrin, Superintendent of the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. “The DOT definitely shares our concerns about the impact the bridge construction is having on our visitors. We have worked together to find workable traffic flow solutions for years, and beginning this weekend we will all be implementing some changes that will make a difference to motorists when they exit the park,” Avrin added.
July 23, 2009
Reward Offered in Sandy Hook Poaching Case
The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is investigating the intentional human destruction of a piping plover nest that occurred between 4:00PM on July 13, 2009 and 11:00AM on July 14, 2009 at the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation.
July 20, 2009
Learn About Park News and Events: Subscribe to RSS Feeds
Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Public Affairs Office news releases are available via RSS feed. RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) technology allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the web sites you are interested in so that you don’t have to regularly check each site.
July 15, 2009
General Management Plan Open Houses Announced
The park is hosting a series of Open Houses in July and September to solicit input from the public regarding the future management of park.
July 13, 2009
Fee Free Weekend July 18-19
Who Says There Are No Free Rides Anymore?
Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, are taking part in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America's National Parks program July 18-19.
July 13, 2009
This Week at Gateway: July 13-19 (Mon-Sun)
Gateway provides abundant recreational and learning opportunities, from swimming, boating and fishing to team sports, bicycling and nature study. The living world can be explored in a wildlife refuge, holly forest, ocean dunes and coastal uplands. The nation’s oldest operating lighthouse, forts that defended America, and sites that trace aviation’s early days tell significant stories.
July 06, 2009
This Week's Programs at Gateway July 6
There are many and varied programs each week at Gateway National Recreation Area. Join us for one, or more, that interest you.
July 01, 2009
July 5 Terrapin Turtle Tour
DIAMINDBACK TERRAPIN TOUR DAY AT JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE
On Sunday, July 5, join a morning or afternoon ranger guided tour of promising terrapin terrain at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. You might get to see these marvelous turtles come ashore from their brackish homes to nest and lay eggs. Tours are at 10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. and at 2p.m. – 3:30p.m.. Bring binoculars, sun and insect protection. For reservations and more information: 718-318-4340.
June 30, 2009
Review of Fort Hancock Financial Information Continues
Contract Terms Require NPS to Evaluate New Information
Today the National Park Service (NPS) announced an update to the progress on the lease agreement between the NPS and Sandy Hook Partners, LLC. Sandy Hook Partners submitted a Phase I financing and development package to the NPS on March 24, 2009. With the assistance of PriceWaterhouseCoopers the NPS has been conducting an evaluation of the package.
June 22, 2009
Experience America’s Best Idea this Summer
WASHINGTON – “Mom, Dad, I’m bored!” So goes the dreaded refrain of a kid with a case of the summer squirmies. No worries – national parks can shake the squirmies.
A new web feature, www.nps.gov/getaways, launching today, will highlight one, of the almost 400 national parks, every week this summer to help families find places to run off that extra energy or just relax and enjoy some fresh air.
June 16, 2009
Gateway Receives Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will fund over 800 projects within the National Park System across the United States. One of those projects will be right here in New Jersey at the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area where $697,000 will be invested to improve visitor facilities. The funds were received with the support of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
June 16, 2009
Free Beach Parking This Weekend at Jacob Riis
This Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21, Jacob Riis Park, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, will be participating in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America’s National Parks. Although Jacob Riis Park, located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, has no entrance fee, a beach parking fee of $5 per car is charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This weekend all beach parking will be FREE.
June 16, 2009
Free Beach Parking This Weekend at Sandy Hook
This Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21, the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area will be participating in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America’s National Parks. Although Sandy Hook has no entrance fee, a beach parking fee of $10 per car is charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This weekend all beach parking will be FREE. Sunday is also Father’s Day, and the Fee Free Weekend is a great opportunity to invite your dad and the rest of your family and friends to enjoy Sandy Hook and make some memories at a local National Park.
June 15, 2009
Gateway Receives Funding to Deal with Radium Contaminated Soil
Barry Sullivan, Gateway National Recreation Area General Superintendent, recently announced that the park has received funding to begin Phase I of the project to identify and potentially remediate the radium contaminated soil at Great Kills Park.
June 10, 2009
Kayak Program
Media Advisory: Kick-off event for the Kayaking on Jamaica Bay Program, part of Gateway’s participation in a nationwide Active Trails program.
May 27, 2009
New Shuttle at Sandy Hook Helps Visitors Go Green
In order to help visitors get around Sandy Hook this summer, a jitney bus will transport visitors from the ferry dock at Sandy Hook to locations within the park. But, here's the kicker, it will be powered by French fry oil.
