Gateway
National Recreation Area
 

  At the entrance to the New York/New Jersey estuary, two arms of land stretch across the water forming a natural gateway to the nation's greatest port. It is from this "gate" that the Gateway National Recreation Area takes its name.

Established on October 27, 1972 as America's first urban national park, Gateway provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors in the Eastern United States' most densely populated area.

Divided into three areas across two states, the park extends from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, through Staten Island, New York and into the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Peninsula areas of Brooklyn and Queens, New York.

Visitors to these areas can explore a wildlife refuge, historic forts and airfields, extensive beach recreation areas, and cultural treasures that include the nation's oldest operating lighthouse, New York City's first municipal airport, and the oldest military site in the nation.

VISITATION
Highest from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with significant visitation during the spring and fall.
Visitation is at its lowest in January and February.

LOCATION
New York City and Monmouth County, New Jersey

ADDRESS
Public Affairs Office
Floyd Bennett Field
Building 69
Brooklyn, NY 11234

TELEPHONE
Headquarters  (718) 338-3338
Public Affairs Office  (718) 338-3688
Floyd Bennett Field  (718) 338-3799
Ecology Village  (718) 338-4306
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge  (718) 318-4340
Riis Park/Fort Tilden  (718) 318-4300
Canarsie Pier  (718) 763-2202
Fort Wadsworth  (718) 354-4500
Miller Field  (718) 351-6970
Great Kills Park  (718) 987-6790
Sandy Hook  (732) 872-5970
U.S. PARK POLICE --24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER (718) 338-3988

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS
Sites are open year-round, including major holidays.
Most areas are open from dawn until dusk.

VISITOR CENTERS

All Gateway visitor centers are open 7 days a week, except as noted.  

Brooklyn and Queens, New York
Floyd Bennett Field--Ryan Visitor Center:  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center:  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fort Tilden Visitor Center:  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Riis Park Visitor Contact Station: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Staten Island, New York
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Miller Field ranger station:  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Great Kills Park ranger station: please call for information.

New Jersey
Sandy Hook Visitor Center:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING
Temperatures range from the eighties and nineties during the summer, to the teens and twenties in winter. Wear casual clothing appropriate to the season, and comfortable shoes to allow for plenty of walking.

DIRECTIONS / TRANSPORTATION
All sites are accessible by some form of public transportation, although an automobile is best if you wish to go to multiple sites on one visit. For those who are driving, Gateway's sites are marked on many national road maps. Contact the Public Affairs Office or any park site for a comprehensive guide to public transportation and driving directions.

FEES
There are no entrance fees for any Gateway sites. However, some areas do have fees for permits, special use and parking.

All ranger-led programs and many special events are free. There are entrance fees for some special events.

Please contact your area of interest for complete details.

Sandy Hook
Beach parking fee during the summer and year-round permit fee for fishing after hours.

Staten Island
Permit fee for: athletic field use by organized groups, parking in fishing areas and certain nature study areas, parking in the boat launch area, and for picnicking and community gardening.

Jamaica Bay/Breezy Point
Permit fee for community garden plots, for picnicking and to park in fishing areas.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Traditional activities include beach recreation, fishing, picnicking, golf, horseback riding, cycling, in-line skating, jogging and organized athletics.

For those who wish to study nature, the park offers a variety of areas including the largest bird sanctuary in the Northeastern United States.

To explore the cultural history of the metropolitan area, visitors can choose from three former harbor defense sites (including the oldest military installation in the country,) New York City's most famous former airport, and the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States.

A complete guide to all ranger-led programs and special events is published by the park on a quarterly basis. Contact the Public Affairs Office or visit any park site for a free copy of the Gateway Visitor Program Guide.

LODGING AND CAMPING FACILITIES
There are hotels located throughout the metropolitan area. Navy veterans and active duty personnel can also call the Navy Lodge at Fort Wadsworth--(800) 628-9466. The Navy Lodge is not available to the general public.

There are no RV facilities in the park.

Campsites at Floyd Bennett Field (718-338-4306) and Sandy Hook (732-872-5970) are available for organized groups (school groups, scouts, etc.) on a reservation basis only.

The campground at Floyd Bennett Field offers a few overnight camping sessions each year for the general public. Contact Ecology Village at (718) 338-4306 for additional details on the 'Urban Outback' program.

FOOD/SUPPLIES
Park concessionaires offer fast food and snacks at several Gateway sites, although many are seasonal. A year-round, full service restaurant is available on Canarsie Pier. Outside of the park, the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area offers the greatest variety of restaurants to be found anywhere in the United States.

Beach supplies, including chair and umbrella rental, are available at Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

ACCESSIBILITY
Many Gateway sites have been made accessible, although some historic structures and nature areas are not accessible; please call specific areas for details. A TDD/TYY machine is in operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (eastern time) for the hearing impaired. Call (732) 872-2256

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS
Reservations are required for some ranger-led programs and for school groups participating in education programs. Consult the Gateway Visitor Program Guide for details.

Permits are required for special park uses, some parking facilities, and for commercial filming.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS
From May through October, Gateway hosts a variety of music and cultural festivals. The New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera perform in the park every summer. A complete listing of all programs and special events can be found in the Gateway Visitor Program Guide.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

New York City is home to the Broadway Theater District, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a multitude of museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, the New York Aquarium, The Bronx Zoo, The New York Botanical Garden, major league sports teams, clubs and performance spaces offering an endless variety of musical styles, and many other attractions.

For additional information visit the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau at   www.nycvisit.com  or visit New York City's official Web site at www.ci.nyc.ny.us

In New Jersey, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark features a wide variety of plays and concerts and is also home to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. For information, call toll free: (888) 466-5722.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Information on the Fort Hancock Historic Leasing Program

For general information and a list of visitor programs, select an area of the park:
Brooklyn and Queens
Staten Island
Sandy Hook

Or contact the Gateway Public Affairs Office or any Gateway visitor center.

If you would like information on other national parks, visit the official Web site of the National Park Service at www.nps.gov by clicking on one of the following buttons:

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Last Updated:Tuesday, 31-Aug-99 18:55:08
http://www.nps.gov/gate/
Author: Brian Feeney