Notable September 2009 Events and Programs

Volunteers at Sandy Hook recently rebuilt a wildlife viewing platform for visitors to use. The are plenty of ways you can volunteer at the park. See the list of events below, and you too can do your part to help the environment.

Sandy Hook Foundation Photo

This Month at Gateway There's Much to Do and Celebrate, Starting With:

Henry Hudson 400: This September marks the 400th anniversary of the European discovery of New York Harbor by Henry Hudson. To celebrate this anniversary the Staten Island Unit will offer several programs at Fort Wadsworth.

New York Harbor as Henry Hudson Saw It Thursday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Dr. Erik Sanderson will present an illustrated lecture: "Can you imagine Staten Island and New York Harbor as Henry Hudson saw it 400 years ago?"

First Nations, Last Elephants: The Archaic History of Staten Island Friday, September 4 at 7:15 p.m. Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Historian and anthropologist Tom Lake will present a thirty minute illustrated lecture, plus a walking tour of the Fort Wadsworth Overlook.

When Henry Met the Munsee Saturday, September 5 at 10 a.m. Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Historian Tom Lake will present a sixty minute illustrated lecture, When Henry Met the Munsee, followed by an "Antiques Road Show" style identification of artifacts.

A Guided Nature Walk of Fort Wadsworth Saturday, September 5 at 1 p.m. Walk begins at the Visitor Center Dave Taft will conduct a guided nature walk of Fort Wadsworth to discover the plants, birds and wildlife of the area.

Kayak Staten Island: The Hudson from Henry’s Vantage Point Saturday, September 5 at 3 p.m. Meet at Sandy Beach, Fort Wadsworth Join Staten Island Kayak for a free, introductory kayak experience.

Staten Island OutLOUD: Readings from the Half Moon Sunday, September 20 at 3 p.m. Fort Wadsworth Overlook Staten Island OutLOUD will present readings that will include excerpts from the journal of one of the crew of Henry Hudson’s ship the Half Moon.

OTHER EVENTS

Danskin Women's Triathlon Sunday, September 13 at 7 a.m. Sandy Hook Beach Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Danskin Triathlon Series is the largest and longest running women’s triathlon series in the world. For more information: www.danskinwomenstri.com.

Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m.

Brooklyn College, Tanger Auditorium

Using a grant from the National Park Foundation, Gateway staff and faculty and students from Brooklyn College have spent several months talking to people in NYC’s Caribbean and Guyanese communities about Gateway and the community’s needs for recreational resources. A documentary film was made by Brooklyn College about this effort. This documentary, along with a Ken Burns short film, This is America, will be shown followed by an open discussion between the audience and the NPS. All Gateway staff are welcome to attend. Contact Brian Feeney or Jeanette Parker for more details.

General Management Plan Open House Sessions As part of our GMP Civic Engagement effort, Gateway will build upon the open house sessions held in July with a series of open houses in September to solicit ideas from our visitors. For more information, send an e-mail to Liam Strain or call 718-354-4657.

• Gateway Marina Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn Saturday, September 5 at 7 a.m.
• Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Tuesday, September 22 at 3 p.m.
• Floyd Bennett Field, Hangar 4 Wednesday, September 23 at 3 p.m.
• Sandy Hook, Fort Hancock Chapel Thursday, September 24 at 3 p.m.
• Miller Field Saturday, September 26 at 1 p.m.
• Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Sunday, September 27 at 3 p.m.

NATIONAL PARKS WEEK NYC -- SEPTEMBER 19-27, 2009

(From the NPCA website) "The National Parks Conservation Association is hosting National Parks Week NYC, a series of public events which will celebrate the rich history of our national parks and launch a national dialogue about the future of the parks as they enter their second century. The signature event of the week, Feel Free: a National Parks Celebration in Central Park, will feature highlights from Ken Burns’ documentary, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA." Gateway and other parks in the NPNH will be offering special programs during National Parks Week NYC. For a list of programs go to www.nps.gov/npnh and click on New York City Parks Week 2009.

GATEWAY NRA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK NYC PROGRAMS JAMAICA BAY UNIT

Floyd Bennett Field Aviation History Floyd Bennett Field, Hangar B September 20 - 26, 1 p.m. -- 2:30 p.m. Experience history first-hand with a tour of the vintage aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field. Find out about the progress of the Historic Aircraft Restoration Projects and catch a glimpse of the Volunteers-In-Parks’ newest project. Reservations required. Call 718-338-3799.

Jacob Riis Park Tour Walking Tour Jacob Riis Park, Bathhouse Entry Pavilion Daily – September 21—26 at 10 a.m. Join a park ranger on a walking tour of historic Jacob Riis Park. Call 718-318-4300 for additional information.

Afternoon Walk with a Ranger Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Monday, September 21 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Explore the nature of the refuge on the International Day of Peace. Bring binoculars. Reservations required. Call 718-318-4340.

Autumnal Equinox Evening Walk Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Tuesday, September 22 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Stroll through the first evening of fall with a park ranger. Bring binoculars. Reservations required. Call 718-318-4340.

Fall Feathered Treasures Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Wednesday, September 23 from 10 a.m. – noon A presentation about fall migrants and residents.

Morning Walk with a Ranger Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. An exploration of the nature of the refuge with a park ranger.

Sunset Tour of the Ryan Visitor Center Floyd Bennett Field, Ryan Visitor Center Wednesday, September 24 from 6 p.m. -- 7:30 pm Find out how the original Floyd Bennett Airport Terminal and Control Tower worked and see the plans for the upcoming restoration of this historic structure.

Noon Time Nature Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Friday, September 25 from noon --- 1 p.m. Take a mid-day break with fall migrant birds, late blooming wildflowers and early ripening fruits.

Beach Campfire Jacob Riis Park, Bay 14 Friday, September 25 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Park rangers and volunteers will give talks on the natural and historic treasures found at the park, all in a beautiful beach setting.

National Public Lands Day / International Beach Cleanup Day Various Gateway sites in Brooklyn and Queens Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. -- 1 p.m. A volunteer effort hosted by the National Park Service, the American Littoral Society and other partners.

National Public Lands Day / International Beach Clean-up Day Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the North Channel Bridge Parking Lot Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Celebrate National Public Lands Day and International Beach Clean-up Day by cleaning the shoreline of Jamaica Bay.

Surf Casting Clinic Jacob Riis Park, Bathhouse Entry Pavilion Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Learn the basics of surf fishing with members of the Gateway Stripers Club.

Jamaica Bay Sunset Cruise Sheepshead Bay Pier Saturday, September 26 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. A 3-hour boat tour of Jamaica Bay with the American Littoral Society that highlights the history, ecology, and wildlife of the bay.

Late Flowers Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Sunday, September 27 from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. A park ranger will lead this early fall botany walk along the trails of the refuge.

STATEN ISLAND UNIT

Tour Historic Fort Wadsworth Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Wednesday, September 23 through Sunday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. A free 1 ½ hour tour that will take visitors through historic Fort Tompkins and Battery Weed.

Lantern Tour of Fort Wadsworth Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Wednesday, September 23 and Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy Staten Island Unit’s most popular tour as you explore the historic sites of the fort on this ranger-led lantern tour.

SANDY HOOK UNIT

Henry Hudson on Sandy Hook Sandy Hook Visitor Center Saturday, September 19 at 2 p.m. Discover what survives at Sandy Hook that would have been seen 400 years ago by Henry Hudson and other early explores.

Cold War Day Parking Lot L at Horseshoe Cove Sunday, September 20 from noon to 4 p.m. Visit a Nike Missile radar site restored to the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Campfire on the Beach On the Beach near the Sandy Hook Visitor Center Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. Sing along and hear some strange but true stories about Sandy Hook including sea monsters, pirates, shipwrecks & broken dishes!

National Public Lands Day Program / Birding for Beginners Sandy Hook Visitor Center Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m. A two-hour bird walk conducted by a naturalist from the NJ Audubon Society.

Monarch Butterfly Walk Sandy Hook Visitor Center Saturday, September 26 at 2 p.m. This remarkable insect, whose migration route ends in Mexico, is featured on a ranger-led tour.

Junior Rangers Sandy Hook Visitor Center Sunday, September 27 at 2 p.m. Children ages 7 to 12 can walk a beach trail with a ranger and learn about the environment.