This Week at Gateway: June 22-28

The Verazanno Bridge at sunrise, near Fort Wadsworth, Gateway National Recreation Area.

John Lancos, NPS VIP

Jamaica Bay Programs: Bikes, Jets and Beaches!

Bike Jamaica Bay

Plumb Beach Round House

Saturday June 27

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join a park ranger on this relaxing bike tour of Jamaica Bay. Explore sights and their history along the trek from Plumb Beach to Floyd Bennett Field. Wear comfortable clothing and bring drinking water.

Jet Rally

Floyd Bennett Field

Radio Controlled Flying Field

Saturday, June 27 and

Sunday, June 28

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Pennsylvania Ave Radio Control Society will show off their expert flying skills in this unique model jet aircraft air show.

North Channel Beach Cleanup

North ChannelBridge – East Lot

Sunday, June 28

10 a.m. – noon

Sometimes a beach just needs a little care. Help us clean the shoreline of Jamaica Bay. Gloves and bags provided. Bring drinking water, sun and insect protection. Reservations required. Call (718) 318 – 4340.

Sandy Hook Programs: Seashores, Salt Marshes and Some History!

At the Seashore

Tuesday June 23 at 7 p.m.

Monmouth Beach Cultural Center

Route 36, Monmouth Beach

This slide program looks at the ferries and railroads visitors rode to the Jersey Shore in the years before WW II.

Salt Marsh Walk

Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m.

Parking Lot L

Explore a wetland salt marsh along Sandy Hook Bay.

Battery Gunnison in World War II

Friday June 12, 19, & 26 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Battery Gunnison

Meet an historian in World War II uniform who will guide you through the battery to show you how it operated and defended New York Harbor during the war. Beach parking fee applies at the Gunnison Lot.

Battery Gunnison Preserved

Saturday June 27, noon to 5 p.m.

The Army Ground Forces Association is a volunteer group who are restoring and interpreting Battery Gunnison and its 6-inch guns. Members will be in1943 period Army uniforms. Stop by on this work day to chat. Beach parking fee applies at the Gunnison parking lot until 4 p.m.

Junior Ranger Naturalist

Sandy Hook Visitor Center

Thursdays from 9 a.m. -- noon

June 25

Kids ages 7-12 Become a citizen scientist and help National Park Service researchers unlock the mysteries of Sandy Hook’s Asian Shore Crabs. Help find out if they are harmful invaders or helpful immigrants. The program is free, but reservations are required: 732-872-5970.

Also at Sandy Hook:

Sandy HookVisitor Center

Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Visitor Center is in the historic Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station and features exhibits and a bookstore. Call 732-872-5970.

History House

Weekends 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Daily, beginning June 21, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

An 1898 lieutenant’s quarters on "Officers Row" overlooking Sandy Hook Bay is furnished to the 1940s, the busiest time at Fort Hancock.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours

Weekends, noon to 4:30 p.m.

Weekdays, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tours are first-come, first-served. You must be 48 inches tall to climb

the tower. Grounds and video in adjacent barn are always open.

Groups must make advance reservations. Call the Visitor Center.

Sandy HookLighthouse Keepers Quarters

Weekends, noon to 5 p.m.

Weekdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sign up here for Lighthouse tours and see exhibits on New Jersey Lighthouses.

Sandy Hook Bird Observatory

Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in June); 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in July & August)

Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in June); closed in July & August

Building 20, Fort Hancock’s Officers Row

This New Jersey Audubon Society field center has a bookshop and displays.

Call 732-872-2500.

Fort Hancock Museum

Weekends June 20-August 22, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The museum is in the former post guardhouse: Dioramas of Sandy Hook and its gun batteries, photographs and artifacts from Fort Hancock’s past ….and those old army jail cells.

Battery Potter

Weekends June 20 – August 22 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Explore Sandy Hook’s oldest gun battery, completed in 1894. Meet at Battery Potter.

Nike Missile Radar Site

Saturdays, June 20, July 11, August 8, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Sundays, June 28, July 19, August 16, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Parking Lot L

Tour the site where radar once guided missiles that protected New York City.

Staten Island Programs: Soldiers and Stars

Astronomy Night

Bulkhead Road

(Opposite the Education Field Station)

Saturday, June 27 at 8 p.m.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association for a tour of the evening sky. Telescopes will be available or you can bring your own. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Mont Sec House In Words

Fort Wadsworth

Saturday, June 27 at 1 p.m.

Experience Mont Sec House through the letters of an officer’s wife. Tour the house and learn how a family lived and played in the fort and New York City in the 1880’s. Reservations required.

Battery Weed Open House

Fort Wadsworth

Sunday, June 28 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Explore the lower casemates and cannon of Battery Weed with a National Park Service ranger. Learn about the history of Battery Weed and its importance to the security of New York Harbor. Children can play Civil War games on the parade ground.