Did you know there is a NP just a stones throw from Coney Island, NY? There is a place to camp with millions of New Yorkers just minutes away. We used the GPS coordinates from the web page and were still reluctant to believe we had reached our destination. We had arrived in the middle of a runway, a Tarmac, an airfield completely surrounded us. There were old delapitated signs, no gates or park rangers to greet us. We did not believe we were in a NP. The picture is the view from our tent site. There were a couple of RVs out by the water, but no other tents. There were hot showers in a portable trailer and a camp store that opened for a few hours. After finding the visitors center and a park ranger we learned the story of the Floyd Bennet Airfield NP. What a treasure so close to the city of New York and in such need of repair. What an example of our need for more funding from the government in order to support and repair especially this National Park. New Yorkers did you know this delapitated treasure is on your doorstep?
Sincerely,
Gateway National Recreation Area
Created in 1972, Gateway is located in the outer New York-New Jersey Harbor, protecting more than 26,000 acres of land and offering an array of recreational, cultural and natural experiences. More than 330 species of birds and 71 species of butterflies live within the park or stop over at Gateway during their seasonal migrations. Gateway's buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites offer great examples of America's coastal defenses from the Revolutionary War through the Cold War.
State(s): New Jersey New York,
Established: 1972
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Greetings from Gateway National Recreation Area
Gateway's Atlantic coast offers unique habitats, rich history, hip beach culture and peaceful sunrises. It's a place that contemplates the earth's greatest challenges, while providing sacred pockets of serenity in the largest metropolis in America. Welcome to the wild, wild coast of New York and New Jersey!
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