Gateway National Recreation Area

Saturday is World Migratory Bird Day in the entire Western Hemisphere. It’s a way to learn about bird migration and motivate conservation action on behalf of birds. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 as an annual awareness-raising campaign aimed at people living in all the major flyways that highlights the ecological importance of migratory birds and calls for their global conservation through international cooperation. This year's events will inspire the j...oy of bird song, flight, and migration. For 2021, the theme is Sing, Fly, Soar Like a Bird. is the theme of this year’s World Migratory Bird Day celebrating the migration of hundreds of bird species between their summer nesting habitats in North America and wintering grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. World Migratory Bird Day activities at more than 700 locations from Argentina to Canada will teach participants how to identify birds, how to connect with birds, and how to delve deeper into bird biology and conservation. World Migratory Bird Day will explore what makes birds unique. Topics cover what makes birds sing, the mysteries of migration, and the astounding power of flight will be explored and shared with bird lovers of all ages. And what better way to witness migration than at Gateway which seasonally has 325 species of birds, most of them visiting as they migrate along the Atlantic Flyway. They find food, shelter, and protection within the borders of this national park. In recognition of the love for these migrating or nesting feathered aerodynamic creatures of flight, join a Sandy Hook park ranger at the M Lot Observation Deck (near the tip) on Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon. Bring binoculars or share our spotting scopes provided to view wonderful birds such as the osprey (fish hawk). ~cwisniewski https://www.migratorybirdday.org/ See more

Celebrate National Bike Month by taking a ride at Gateway. There are multi-use paths and greenways in all three units of the park. Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes are also allowed on routes open to traditional bicycles throughout Gateway. Bikes are not allowed in undeveloped areas, such as beaches, or the East Pond or West Pond loops of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. (dy)

View this great video of our rangers talking about Gateway. You can see more great videos on our website: www.nps.gov/gate. (dy)

The American Goldfinch is the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington. It is common at feeders and feeds primarily on Ragwort, Marigolds, Daisies, and Coneflowers. Goldfinch often flock with Pine Siskin and Common Redpolls. Spring males are brilliant yellow and shiny black, with a bit of white. Females and all winter birds are more dull but identifiable by their conical bill. Photo by Linda Mack from the Monmouth County Audubon Society.

In honor of National Park Week, April 17 - 25, The Sandy Hook Foundation, the Official Friends Group of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, is pleased to present Hunt the Hook: A Scavenger Hunt. Registrants enroll their team (up to 5 players) with a $15 donation to the foundation at www.sandyhooknj.org and receive clues on April 16 to be solved, leading to answers that are outdoor, historic locations on Sandy Hook. Players have the week to provide proof of visitation thr...ough submission of photos or drawings. The Hunt will take visitors all over Sandy Hook to facilitate a connection between place, people, and history. First place winner will receive a 2021 Summer Season Parking Pass Voucher at Sandy Hook, one $100 Gift Certificate to The Lusty Lobster, and a swag bag from The Sandy Hook Foundation. The game is afoot! For details visit www.sandyhooknj.org #sandyhooknj #sandyhookfoundationnj #ConnectedConservation #findyourpark #nationalparkservice

Two EMT summer positions open for Riis Park in Queens. Housing is available. Applicants must state they are an EMT in application and put down number of hours of experience in resume. Apply here: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/593532300 BL

Celebrating our Park Partners helping to preserve America's treasures during Connected Conservation Month! Explore Sandy Hook from Your Classroom with the EVERY KID OUTDOORS Program FREE to 4th & 5th Grades! Whether your students are in class or learning from home, we can enhance their educational experience with a fun virtual field trip! For more than 30 years, school groups from New Jersey and neighboring states have enjoyed learning about coastal ecosystems with New... Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) at Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. NJSGC is proud to partner with the National Park Service and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy to offer FREE virtual programs to 4th grade students for Spring 2021. As part of the Every Kid Outdoors initiative, 4th and 5th graders along with their families and teachers are encouraged to visit national parks to experience the natural wonders and cultural history that can be found there. NJSGC headquarters has long been located at Sandy Hook, thus bringing the unique national park experience to tens of thousands of students since 1976. The talented educators at NJSGC have taken these outdoor experiences and adapted them for remote learning. Educators with 4th and/or 5th grade students interesting in participating in the Every Kid Outdoors program through NJSGC can choose from 2 FREE virtual programs led by NJSGC educators: All programs support New Jersey Learning Standards and can be modified for learning abilities. To encourage interaction amongst participants, each program is 45-60 minutes and accommodates 1 class of up to 25 students. Participation in NJSGC’s Every Kid Outdoors program requires that educators complete the following requirements with their students: 1. Complete a pre-program Web Quest to familiarize students with program concepts; 2. Participate in a virtual NJSGC-instructor led program; and 3. Provide NJSGC with your completed program feedback form Contact the Education Department at [email protected] for further information. #njseagrantconsortium #njseagrant #connectedconservation #findyourpark #nationalpark #parkpartner #conservationandprservation

On this date, in 1919, Navy Seaplane Division 1 was activated. Consisting of Navy - Curtiss flying boats NC-1, NC-3, and NC-4, and their crews, they would depart from Naval Air Station - Rockaway on May 8, 1919 (today, Gateway's Jacob Riis Park) to attempt to become the first airplanes to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air. The NC-4 completed the flight in Lisbon, Portugal on May 27. The NC-4 made stops in Chatham, MA, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Trepassy Bay, Newfoundland, and Ponta Del Gado, Azore Islands, before completing the flight. (JLH)

Take a moment to reflect and breathe. Photo at Sandy Hook by Grace Grimaldi. BL

Gateway has recently released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to gather information from the public and potential operators about how the park might add additional services to improve the visitor experience at Silver Gull Beach Club and Breezy Point Surf Club in Gateway’s Jamaica Bay Unit. Going forward the Beach Clubs will continue to offer the services park visitors have come to enjoy throughout the many years of operation. This RFEI is intended to collect i...nformation about how we might improve visitors Beach Club experiences. Some of the concepts the park is exploring, as envisioned in the park’s General Management Plan, include providing a multi-day experience, offering camping and overnight opportunities for park visitors, and expanding the availability of sports programs, which may include relocating the Fort Tilden sports fields. Gateway seeks public engagement regarding the following questions: Should Gateway incorporate all organized sports fields from Fort Tilden to the beach clubs? Should Gateway incorporate camping at either Silver Gull Beach Club or Breezy Point Surf Club? Should Gateway authorize any overnight use (such as conversion of a limited number of cabanas) at either the Silver Gull Beach Club or Breezy Point Surf Club? What additional services would you like to see at the beach clubs? Responses and additional comments should be sent to [email protected]. Thank you for participating. (dy)

Sandy Hook’s Spermaceti Cove U.S. Life-Saving Service Station building was damaged by considerable coastal flooding from Hurricane Sandy in October of 2012. Primarily, the porch was lost in addition to flooding of the basement and first floor carpeting. During the cleanup, some of the first-floor sheetrock and non-original walls were taken down to the studs. It had to be boarded up and closed to the public. Park funding has been approved for its restoration and the project ha...s been ongoing since October. The work consists of roof shingle replacement, the rehabilitation/replacement of the electrical lighting, telecom, mechanical/plumbing, and flooring and wall finishes, as well as, lightning protection. All building systems are designed to be flood resilient. The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station known for its rich maritime history was built in 1894, housing surfmen who risked their lives saving shipwrecked victims. In 1915 the United States Life-Saving Service became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. The station was used by the Coast Guard until the late 1940s. From 1974 up until the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it served as the park’s visitor center, and in 1981 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. ~cwisniewski https://www.nps.gov///LifesaversofSAHO_rev9April2018-2.pdf See more

Attention Students, teachers and generally inquisitive: Join us for our weekly "Ask a Ranger" Facebook live this Wednesday (1/20/20) at 3:30PM EST! Ranger Erin will answer your questions based on this weeks theme: "Muskrats, Opossums and Raccoons! Learn more about Gateways under-appreciated mammals!" We need you, and your inquisitive minds to help make this virtual event a success. You can submit your questions in the following 3 ways: 1. Posting questions in the comments sec...tion of this post. 2. Emailing your questions to our Education team at: [email protected] 3. During the live event itself! Don't be shy! We want to know what's on your mind. We look forward to spending Wednesday afternoon with you all. (ES) NPS Photo: Muskrat at Big Johns Pond See more

We think of Northern Cardinals as constants, birds we take for granted. They are year-long residents, so we can see them every day of the year. Cardinals are so familiar, they’re the official bird of seven states (though not New York or New Jersey).... And during our long winters, these creatures provide a spark in the form of vibrant contrast against a snowy world. Males are bright red, females (like the one pictured here) are more understated, and all are sure to stand out. But not everyone gets to see cardinals as often as we do. These birds are not to be found throughout most of the western United States! So next time you notice one of these common backyard birds, try to imagine a life without them! (AB)

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the National Park Service sets today aside as both an opportunity to enjoy public land and give back your local community. National Park sites offer fee-free entry today and encourages visitors to look for volunteer opportunities in service projects taking place throughout our parks. (SBE)... To learn more about the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to find listings of events and opportunities, visit our website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/mlk-day.htm Photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Library of Congress

#ScenicSunday: While taking color photos of outdoor scenes you may only need to pay attention how the colors in the image are used to create an interesting composition. But in black-and-white, you need to pay more attention to textures, contrasts, and shapes in order to create a powerful and striking composition. Even though there’s always something to be said about colorful photographs, black-and-white photos exude charm and elegance, and a timeless, classic beauty on their own that’s not easily replicated with their color counterparts. This picture is of Sandy Hook Bay offers more of a context of watery reflections than its color counterpart. In your visits to Gateway’s Units, please share any photos you may have of park areas. ~cwisniewski #FindYourPark Photo Credit to Don Bender

The semi-evergreen Northern Bayberry shrub at Sandy Hook was locally prized by colonists who made candles from the nut-like berries. Since only the surface of the grayish-white berry has wax and as many as 15 lbs. had to be collected to produce one pound of wax equivalent to 4 quarts of berries making just one 18-inch long candle! The wax was separated from the seed by boiling in a pot of water followed by skimming and straining. When burned, the candle created a nice aromati...c herbal scent. Colonial legend has it that on the night before Christmas, a bayberry candle when lit had to be perfectly timed to stay burning until after midnight to bring a year of prosperity and good fortune to the household. One supposedly could not extinguish the candle as all were present for the ritual would be blessed. A saying at the time said Bayberry candles burned to the socket, bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket. Certainly, one can be sure that it was always a pleasure to enjoy the unique, aromatic scent which became strongest as the homemade candle got closer to burning out. ~cwisniewski Inset Photo courtesy of Park Ranger (retired) Dan Meharg demonstrating candle making See more

Was exercise one of your New Year's Resolutions? There are paths and trails for walking and running throughout Gateway. Lace up your shoes and get out there! (dy)

Gateway is open. Review hours of operation, rules and guidelines before heading out. BL https://www.nps.gov/g/how-will-covid-19-affect-my-visit.htm

Did you know today is Human Rights Day? This day celebrates the UN Universal Declaration listing the rights of every human being among all nations, regardless of any social status. In celebration, we’d like to highlight the work of Jacob Riis, a photographer and journalist of New York City, who stood for a similar purpose in the late 1800’s. Riis was known for his dedication to social reform. Using his journals and photography, he revealed the reality of the poverty-stricken... New York City residents. Riis used his skills to create photo journals and write books that would lay the foundation for social reform in the city. Here at Gateway, Jacob Riis Park is named to commemorate the work of Jacob Riis. You can find out more about him on our website. Happy Human Rights Day! (NW) https://www.nps.gov//historycultu/jacob-riis-biography.htm

No campfire is complete without a spooky story or two! Earlier this month, we shared real photos from our park and invited people to share scary stories based on those photos. Tune in tomorrow at 6 PM for an audio presentation of these campfire stories! (SBE) #writeout #TellingStories #NPS #FindYourPark

Join us for our weekly Ask a Ranger segment, where you can pick the brain of our very own Gateway Park Rangers!

After the first buildings were completed by late 1899 and up until the end of 1974, United States Army generals, colonels, captains and lieutenants stationed here were quartered here along with their families. And the time of Christmas was celebrated not much differently from a civilian community as the children who lived on the army base like any kid outside the fort couldn’t wait to see what gifts were left for them underneath the traditional holiday tree! ~cwisniewski

Have you ever wondered what creepy creatures might be lurking in the depths of your local National Park? Are you looking for something fun to do this Halloween evening? We asked our visitors to submit their scary stories from sites and sounds around Gateway. Join us as we share these spooky stories around the campfire, or your living room, at 6 PM on Halloween night.

Where are these Rangers headed? What’s the most memorable thing a Gateway Ranger has seen while out on the trail? Find out these questions and ask a few of your own! Join us tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/9) for our weekly Ask a Ranger-Facebook Live at 3:30PM EST! We need you, and your inquisitive minds to help make this virtual event a success. You can submit your questions in the following 3 ways: 1. Posting questions in the comments section of this post. 2. Emailing your quest...ions to our Education team at: [email protected] 3. During the live event itself! This weeks theme is a continuation of last weeks A Day in the Life of a Park Ranger. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon! (Es)

#ThrowbackThursday: By the end of 1895, U.S. Army engineers at Sandy Hook had finished building two concrete gun batteries designed to defend the entrance to Lower New York Harbor. However, there was no housing available for the several hundred soldiers needed to man them. To rectify the situation, the Secretary of War issued General Order No. 57 on October 30, 1895, establishing Fort Hancock. The fortifications were named in honor of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, a h...ero in the Mexican-American War (1846 1848), gallant leader of troops on Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg, and after the Civil War he became a key figure during Reconstruction under Presidents Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant. In 1880, Hancockbeloved for his sense of duty and honorran for president against James Garfield and lost the popular ballot by only 39,213 votes. Did Major General Hancock ever set foot on Sandy Hook, where later Fort Hancock was named in his memory? Probably so for it was during the 1870s that Hancock served as commander of the Military Department of the Atlantic from its headquarters on Governors Island in New York (just 18 miles away) from 1874 until he died there on February 9, 1886. ~cwisniewski https://www.nps.gov/people/winfield-scott-hancock.htm See more

The National Park Service is home to many different environments that provide a sense of calm, awareness, thoughtfulness, and allow individuals to get in touch with their senses. Here at Gateway National Recreation Area, you can experience everything that the National Park Service has to offer, including areas of natural beauty that inspire and restore. Enjoy these raindrops on pine needles, and allow yourself a moment that is all your own. #mindfulnessmoments #findpeaceinparks #healing #inspiration #peace #nationalparkservice #findyourpark #nyc

Bats have an unfair reputation! Here to address some of these rumors is our favorite chiropterologist, Batrick. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/bats/index.html #BatWeek #NPS #FindYourPark #NYC

In 1879, George Houghton wrote an article looking back at a mysterious incident that happened at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse 103 ft. tower. Originally constructed of rubble stone in 1764, during the year 1863 at a time when an interior red brick was added as the old wooden steps were replaced with wrought iron, a cellar was said to be discovered when excavating beneath the ground floor of the tower’s stone base. Houghton writes of an iron entry door found that was subsequentl...y removed exposing a small room. In the room was a fireplace filled with ashes. He wrote "What this prison like chamber was intended for is by no means apparent." Nine years later, another writer named Gustave Kobbe visited the Lighthouse and made a claim in an embellished story that a human skeleton was found sitting in a chair by a table in a cellar, not in the tower but in the Keeper's House. Still later writings by others would eventually bring the total skeleton count up to fifteen! Are these stories true or fake history? How about we just share in the scary fun of what may be looked at somewhat spooky goings-on at the Hook since it is Halloween this week! See more

#ScenicSunday: Why are Fort Hancock’s buildings made up of yellow brick? Well, it was on October 30, 1895 that the U.S. Army established Fort Hancock as a fortification where soldiers would be trained to load and fire seacoast cannon to protect New York City shipping channels from attack by sea. Fort Hancock was named after Major General Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-86), a soldier and later politician best known for his leadership during the Civil War. The purpose of the f...ort buildings was to originally accommodate a garrison of 400 soldiers. In March 1896, Captain Arthur Murray of the U.S. Artillery Corps was assigned to outline a plan of buildings for the Artillery Post. The idea was to create a comfortable post for soldiers to live and work - a fort that would function with military precision, as well as a village to provide services and social support for making the isolated realities of military life more tolerable. By fall of 1896, the final number of buildings settled at 32 and construction quartermaster Captain Carroll Devol chose to build them using buff colored brick rather than red brick. Although costlier, this yellow brick was much less porous than traditional red brick. The most impressive of the buildings are the 18 homes on Officers Row. where Captain Murray simply envisioned a style not lacking in beauty. In addition, four large barracks were built across the parade ground from the Officers’ Quarters with the most handsome and massive porches. And while on most military bases, buildings would normally face the parade ground, these structures were placed facing Sandy Hook Bay to take advantage of the scenic view! ~cwisniewski See more

Saturday was a dichotomy of sorts on the beaches of Sandy Hook as the park’s cooperating organization Clean Ocean Action (COA) https://www.cleanoceanaction.org held its 35th annual Beach Sweeps and the surfboarders were out to recreate. Only individuals and family members who registered in advance were here to collect unsightly and unhealthy marine debris. Of course, everyone present for the cleanup had to abide by all of the COVID-19 protocol precautions with the upmost of safety in mind and Gateway appreciates all their efforts. But as Hurricane Epsilon was still churning up winds over the Atlantic Ocean, this was also a day when the recreational surfers were strong as the waves kicking up to enjoy their day! ~cwisniewski

#ThrowbackThursday: Why is a British Army battle tank appearing out of red brick building doorway at Sandy Hook? Between 1874 and 1919 the Sandy Hook Proving Ground was responsible for developing and testing all manner of army ordinance, including using British tanks to help design the joint Anglo-American Liberty Tank in 1917. For over 45 years, the sound of gunfire and the smell of burning gunpowder filled the air at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. This is where the Army...’s Ordnance Department tested, or ‘proved’ new weapons and ammunition. The Sandy Hook Proving Ground closed by 1920, leaving permanently for the city of Aberdeen, Maryland. All the Army Ordnance Corps (red brick) buildings became part of Fort Hancock’s Army Coast Artillery which were all standardized as yellow brick buildings we now see throughout the Fort Hancock Historic Post. ~cwisniewski https://www.nps.gov//SH%20proving%20Ground%20sitebulletin. See more

White-tailed deer, triggered by hormones, are on the move and unpredictable during the breeding season called a rut which usually starts in late October and runs through December. Shorter days and cooler weather trigger deer to disperse and move around as they search for mates. Please be extra careful and alert to watch for deer crossing the roadways at Sandy Hook. Slow down and keep to the posted speed limits to avoid deer collisions that could result in damage to your vehicle and driver/passenger injuries. ~cwisniewski

For all visitors young and old, who managed to come early morning Saturday on the 21st year running of the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey http://www.njlhs.org/other/otherevents.html#NJLHS, they would have rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic. Their destination was to visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, one of ten NJ lighthouses that could complete the "challenge" in this annual autumnal October weekend event. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, completed in 1764, still stands today after 256 years of operation as navigational aid for ships entering the harbor of New York City! ~cwisniewski

Today is International Archeology Day! This is a day of celebration for archeology and its contributions to society. Archeology is an important part of the mission at Gateway National Recreation Area. There are archeological sites across the park that are associated with the early settlement of New York and New Jersey, the fortification of New York Harbor, public recreation, and maritime and aviation history. Cultural Resource staff work closely with a number of groups includ...ing the New York and New Jersey State Historic Preservation Offices, the Northeast Archeological Resources Program, and park affiliated Tribes to identify resources, carry out research, and educate the public. It is our goal to understand, preserve, and interpret these archeological resources. We rely on visitors like you to help us protect these resources by not collecting any items that you may find. Once an artifact is removed from its original location, it is difficult to learn anything beyond what the physical object can tell us. You can help to preserve the archeological resources at the park by leaving items where you find them, noting the location, and reporting it to park staff. #IAD2020 #internationalarcheologyday #archeology #discoverarcheology #canyoudigit? (HS)

We're opening our virtual doors for Open House New York's #OHNYwknd! Join us Sunday, October 18 at 2PM for a presentation and Q+A about Floyd Bennett Field and the early days of aviation. Sign up today! https://ohny.org/sites/floydbennettfieldryanvisitorcenter (PS, we invited our friends at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy to help us with this one!)

#ThrowbackThursday: Gateway’s Sandy Hook Lighthouse is located on the shores of New Jersey and is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States. Designed by Isaac Conro, it was built on June 11, 1764 with an incredible 256 years as the nation’s oldest surviving Light Station. Financed by a lottery, it was built by the Colony of New York to keep ships safe as they passed by Sandy Hook on their way to and from New York Harbor. During the American Revolution..., its thick walls protected it from cannonball fire from the Continental Army. The British captured the lighthouse in 1776 and held it through the end of the war in 1783. In 1817 two additional beacons, the Sandy Hook East and the Sandy Hook West, were constructed at Sandy Hook but were disassembled by 1921. Still standing next to the original tower is a keepers quarters which was completed in 1883. It was built as a double frame dwelling to house the head keeper, his family, and assistants still stands. Today and it is the location of the park’s Visitor Center while the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the Light as the Hook’s navigational aid.~cwisniewski ~https://www.nps.gov//historycultu/upload/sh_lighthouse.pdf See more

Gateway is proposing to increase parking fees beginning in 2021 at Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook in order to maintain and improve visitor services. Eighty percent of the money raised from parking fees stays within the park, and the additional revenues will be used to improve the condition of visitor facilities and help cover the increase in cost for services such as lifeguards. The parking fee is only charged at Sandy Hook and Riis Park from the Saturday before Memorial Day ...through Labor Day. Biking, walking or using public transportation into these beach areas will remain free. Your opinion is important to us. We would like to hear from you about this proposal. The comment period will run through this Friday, October 16, 2020. Please email us at [email protected]. (dy) Visit our website to find out more. https://www.nps.gov//m/proposed-fee-increases-for-2021.htm See more