Gateway National Recreation Area
History
HISTORY & CULTURE
Gateway National Recreation Area's three park units all trace the rich history of the nation and harbor. Historic forts, former airports, recreation areas and America's oldest operating lighthouse tell fascinating stories of defense, aviation firsts, navigational safety and healthy living.
Sandy Hook Light and Keepers Quarters
In June, 2006, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters opened as a visitor contact station for tours of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, America's oldest light. The $650,000 rehabilitation of the Keepers Quarters was funded by the park's Friends Group, the Sandy Hook Foundation. The main floor has exhibits on New Jersey lighthouses, while the upper floors are offices and lodging for the Foundation and the NJ Lighthouse Society, the volunteer group that conducts Lighthouse tours for the NPS. Click here for Hours of Operation.
Hangar B at Floyd Bennett Field
Hangar B is the home to Floyd Bennett Field's Historic Aircraft Restoration Project (HARP.) Visitors to the hangar can see dedicated Volunteers In Parks working on the park's collection of historic aircraft. Many of the volunteers come to the project with decades of experience working on planes, either in the military, or in the civil sector, or both. The goal is to return these aircraft to nearly original condition. HARP volunteers are even building a full scale model of Wiley Post's Lockheed Vega, "The Winnie Mae" from scratch! The volunteers and park rangers are available to lead tours of the hangar and planes, and are more than happy to answer any questions.
What makes a visit to Hangar B unique is that visitors can see, hear, and feel what it is like to be in a working airplane hangar. It is easy to imagine that is 1945, or 1965 during a visit to Hangar B.
Hangar B is open to the public Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For group tours, call (718) 338 - 3799.
Herbert Johnson
Robert Moses appointed Herbert Johnson as the first manager of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in 1952. Johnson spearheaded efforts to improve natural habitat at the park, and to make the area easily accessible to the public.
One of Johnson's first tasks was to increase the variety of habitats at the refuge in order to for it to be a sanctuary for the many types animals that make their home in the city, and for those that move through on migration. Johnson worked with the transit authority to close off some saltmarsh areas to the flow of the tides, in order to create two fresh water ponds. Other marshes were filled with sediment and then planted with trees and shrubs to create woodland. These new habitats created new refuge for upland mammals and reptiles, fresh water fish and amphibians and other species not previously found in the park.
Johnson was an avid teacher and public advocate, in spirit and training. He felt strongly that the Wildlife Refuge should be not just be a place for animals and plants but that it be a place of respite for people too. While he was working on habitat enhancements, he enlisted a small crew of volunteers to create a trail system for the public. He also developed environmental education programs for children of all grade levels and offered outdoor programs for city kids, year-round.
Gateway In Depth
News from the Parks
State Pushing its Plan to Thin Federal Elk Herd
January 7, 2009 - 3:39pm
Unhappy with federal alternatives, the State Game and Fish Department is pushing its own plan to thin an overpopulated elk herd at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
January 7, 2009 - 3:39pm
Unhappy with federal alternatives, the State Game and Fish Department is pushing its own plan to thin an overpopulated elk herd at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Northwestern Hawaiian Isles Might Met U.N. Designation
January 7, 2009 - 3:11pm
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could become the second United Nations World Heritage site in Hawaii, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
January 7, 2009 - 3:11pm
The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could become the second United Nations World Heritage site in Hawaii, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Full Slate of Activities this Month at Saguaro National Park
January 7, 2009 - 3:09pm
A series of programs are under way at Saguaro National Park. Explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk or join a local expert for a presentation in the visitor center. Programs will be offered at both districts. There is no charge for interpretive programs, but park entrance fees apply.
January 7, 2009 - 3:09pm
A series of programs are under way at Saguaro National Park. Explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk or join a local expert for a presentation in the visitor center. Programs will be offered at both districts. There is no charge for interpretive programs, but park entrance fees apply.
Park Service Rolls Out Bike Sharing
January 7, 2009 - 3:08pm
About 300 National Park Service employees have the opportunity to get around D.C. in an environmentally-friendly way. In a one-year demo program between the NPS and Lousiville, Ky.-based Humana Inc., the health-benefit company is giving 30 bikes to NPS employees to help them cut down on auto gas emissions.
January 7, 2009 - 3:08pm
About 300 National Park Service employees have the opportunity to get around D.C. in an environmentally-friendly way. In a one-year demo program between the NPS and Lousiville, Ky.-based Humana Inc., the health-benefit company is giving 30 bikes to NPS employees to help them cut down on auto gas emissions.
A Plan for Stimulus Money: National Parks
January 7, 2009 - 3:05pm
There are any number of things that could be done with the upcoming, huge stimulus package to put Americans back to work and and improve infrastructure. About $2.5 billion of that could go to our national parks, says the National Parks Conservation Association, and they have a plan.
January 7, 2009 - 3:05pm
There are any number of things that could be done with the upcoming, huge stimulus package to put Americans back to work and and improve infrastructure. About $2.5 billion of that could go to our national parks, says the National Parks Conservation Association, and they have a plan.
