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Plan Your Visit

This post-Civil War Experimental Battery was buried until 2012, when erosion from Hurricane Sandy uncovered it. While sea level rise threatens countless coastal heritage sites across the country, it is fascinating that NYC's most recent epic storm event helped uncover a previously-unknown gem. 

NPS photo by R. A. Jenkins.

As the days grow shorter and the leaves fall, autumn is a time of reflection and renewal. Take a walk in the park and join us for the programs and events we have programmed and experience the change of seasons with us.

This year marks five years since Hurricane Sandy struck on October 29, 2012. We are marking this event with reflection upon resilience as we continue to our recovery from this devastating storm.

Our partner organization, the Science and Resilience Institute of Jamaica Bay, founded in 2012, prior to Hurricane Sandy, to bring together scientists, community members, policy makers committed to restoring Jamaica Bay, but also to explore broader issues of coastal resilience will be featured in our fall Herbert Johnson Lectures presented at the Wildlife Refuge during October.

Resilience is defined as "the ability to recover from difficulties; toughness." People of New York and especially those who live in nearby coastal areas have had plenty of practice in resilience.
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Please click here for the Fall Program Guides:

Jamaica Bay Fall Program Guide

Sandy Hook Fall Program Guide

Staten Island Fall Program Guide

Visitor Center Hours

Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field--Open seven days, 9 AM to 5PM.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge--Open seven days, 9 AM to 5 PM.

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center--Open Wednesday--Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

Fort Wadsworth Camp Office-- Open daily until Labor Day from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. After Labor Day open Sunday-Thursday, Noon - 4 PM (permits not available).

Great Kills Ranger Station-- Open Sunday - Tuesday 10 - 2 PM (permits available).

Miller Field Ranger Station Open Wednesday- Sunday 10 AM - 2:30 PM (permits available)

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters/Visitor Center--Open seven days/week 9 AM - 5 PM.

 

"Kelp Forest," a photo of the revelation of patterns and images formed by water and wind on beach sand.

Photo by Ron Bourque, taken at Gateway NPS, used with permission.

Images:
An exhibition of photographs by Ron Bourque.

Opening Reception
Sunday, September 24, 2-4 PM

Exhibit on display for two months.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
175-10 Cross Bay Boulevard
Broad Channel
718-318-4340

Ron Bourque's photo exhibit, Images, shows the serendipitous revelation of patterns and images formed by water and wind on beach sand at low tide.

On first look, these photos appear to be finely crafted pencil or charcoal drawings, but they are actually images of beach sand and tidal detritus taken over a period of ten years. Bourque has assigned titles to these pictures, but many viewers find other images and patterns in these fascinating works.