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Contact: Daphne Yun, 718-354-4602 Contact: Kathleen Cuzzolino, 718-354-4609
The park is continuing with its investigative phase of the clean-up process at Great Kills Park. This phase includes cutting back vegetation and moving fallen trees which are impeding the completion of a radiological survey in the closed area. The week of March 3 we will be using a large tub grinder to chip several hundred fallen trees. The operation will take place within a closed area of the park. We do not expect that the noise will impact the open areas of the park or visitor enjoyment. However, we will continuously monitor the noise level to make sure it doesn't exceed NYC Noise Code requirements. The areas of Great Kills Park that are currently open to the public will remain open while this work is done. Radiological contamination was first discovered at Great Kills Park in 2005 during an aerial survey conducted by the New York City Police Department. Since 2005, additional areas of radiological contamination, comprised of radium-226, were found within the park. In response, the National Park Service (NPS) has taken actions to determine the extent of radiological contamination and to protect public health in the short term until a permanent remedy can be implemented. The greatest risk at the site is from direct contact with the source of the radioactive contamination. The NPS has installed fencing to restrict access to the contamination and to prevent such contact and signage to inform visitors of the closed areas. The established boundaries put visitor safety, our highest priority, first. For more information about the site history and previous environmental investigations at Great Kills Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/gate/parkmgmt/greatkillscleanup.htm About Gateway National Recreation Area Established in 1972, Gateway National Recreation Are 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. Gateway is one of the ten most visited national parks in the country. For information about Gateway's upcoming public programs, please visit www.nps.gov/gate. To join the conversation about Gateway, like us on our Facebook page; www.facebook.com/Gatewaynps.
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Last updated: February 26, 2015