National Park Service
Join us for a variety of summer nature programs at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
New This Summer! Free Half-hour Kayak Ride - sponsored by the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy
Jamaica Bay Kayak Trails
Discover the beauty and nature of Jamaica Bay from the water. Take a free half-hour kayak ride, from July 10-August 31, Friday-Monday, 10am-2pm, at Park rangers will be on hand to show you proper techniques and outfit you with a kayak and life preserver. If you have your own kayak, you can launch it at Canarsie Pier, Plumb Beach, North Channel Bridge and Floyd Bennett Field (the seaplane ramp or Mill Basin).
For a privately owned kayak, the park requires an annual permit, which can be purchased at Floyd Bennett Field visitor center: call 718-338-3799 for more information.
When paddling without a park ranger, please check the following websites for important information:
Beach Recreation
Go swimming at Jacob Riis Park in summer. Build a sand castle and look for endangered Piping Plovers. Dover Gourmet provides food, drinks and beach supplies at Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway, Queens, NY. The concessions are open daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
provides sale of seasonal and day-use passes for beach club facilities, rental of day-use beach cabanas, cabanettes, bath cabins and use of swimming pool. They also have family recreational facilities, food and beverage sales and catering services are available in the restaurant and bar. Call (718) 634-7200, or click on the link above.
provides sale of seasonal and day-use facilities, rental of day use beach cabanas, cabanettes, bath cabins and use of swimming pool. Family recreational facilities, food and beverage sales and catering services are available in the restaurant and bar.
Public Recreation and Sports Fitness Facilities
Gateway's newest and largest sports concessioner, Aviator offers indoor ice skating, hockey, a climbing wall, gymnastics, basketball, and outdoor sports fields. Call 718-758-7500, or click on the link above.
Fishing
Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Tilden and Canarsie Pier offer great fishing opportunities. Call 718-338-3799 for permit and other information.
Walking & Hiking
Take a self guided trail at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Try the Upland, East Pond and West Pond trails. Or hike in the back fort area of Fort Tilden. Pets are not permitted anywhere within the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge District.
Biking
Bike along the historic runways of Floyd Bennett Field, or along trails at Fort Tilden. The Rockaway Gateway Greenway, a paved multi-use pathway adjacent to Floyd Bennett Field and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, offers a unique way to see the park.
Birding & Nature Study
Birding is great at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, as well as the back fort area of Fort Tilden and the North Forty area of Floyd Bennett Field.
Please remember that in order to provide food for wildlife, the removal of any plant materials, including fruits, berries, nuts and seeds is prohibited from Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Boating
Gateway Paddlers at Floyd Bennett Field: First Wednesday of every month from 7 PM until 8:30 PM. Join experienced paddlers for a volunteer led free kayak safety program. Topics include paddling safety, as well as trip planning and scheduling. All skill levels are welcome for open discussions on kayaking and water safety.
Call 718-338-3799 for meeting location and more information.
Marina
The , located on Flatbush Avenue across from Floyd Bennett Field, offers slips and a full range of boating services. Call 718-252-8761.
During summer, basic sailboat instruction is offered by the park. Call 718-338-3799.
Note: In order to protect wildlife and sensitive marsh habitat, entry into salt marshes or onto any islands in Jamaica Bay is not permitted.
Camping
Floyd Bennett Field has four public campsites available for a unique urban, yet rustic camping experience. There is a fee of $50 for three nights. For more information, call 718-338-3799.
ECOLOGY VILLAGE SUMMER YOUTH CAMPING AT FLOYD BENNETT FIELD
Ecology Village is a two-day tent camping program at Gateway’s Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. Campers become aware of the natural environment, learn about composting and recycling, while exploring the natural and cultural resources of Floyd Bennett Field.
The program is an outdoor experience stressing the importance of environmental awareness and group cooperation. Through ranger-led activities, and exploration of upland and marine environments, children will discover the joys of camping and the great outdoors. Gateway NRA will provide tents, cooking equipment and resource specialists to support the program.
The program is open to non-profit organizations and open to youngsters between the ages of eight and fourteen. There is a $50.00 processing fee for the camping permit. Camping begins Monday, July 6, 2009, through Thursday, August 27, 2009.
Organizations new to the camping program must send the groups leader to a 30-hour leadership training on June 29-30 and July 1, 2009. The class is given on Monday, June 29 from 10 AM to 4 PM; the second day runs from noon on Tuesday, June 30 through noon on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. This will be the only opportunity for new leaders to receive training. Returning leaders must attend one of the camping refreshers on June 23-25 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, located at Ecology Village, Building 70.
Interested organizations should contact Ecology Village Staff at 718-338-4306 for applications.
Golf
, located on Flatbush Avenue adjacent to Floyd Bennett Field, offers a driving range, pro shop and golf instruction. Call 718-253-6816. The Riis Park Pitch and Putt Golf Course offers an 18 hole par 3 executive course in a links - style setting. Call 718-474-1623.
Horseback Riding
Contact the at 718-531-8949. Horseback riding and lessons are available to the general public.
Picnicking
Individuals can picnic at Jacob Riis Park; barbeque grills are available. Group picnic facilities are available by permit at Fort Tilden.
Call 718-338-3799 for information on the Model Airplane Field at Floyd Bennett Field.
Gardening
Enjoy Brooklyn's largest Community Garden at Floyd Bennett Field. Call the at 718-338-4255.
Archery
Call 718-338-3799 for archery permits for Floyd Bennett Field.
History
Discover the former military sites, including Fort Tilden, a U.S. Army post and Floyd Bennett Field, a U.S. Navy Airfield.
Public Programs
Check the schedule of events to see what opportunities there are for Ranger-led and partner-led programs.
