National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior Gateway Visitor Programs and Events Fall 2019

Staten Island,

There are several programs and special events that we wish to highlight for this fall. On the International Coastal Cleanup at Great Kills will happen on Sunday, Sep- tember 21. Join the American Littoral Society for the Annual New York State Beach Cleanup, who have sponsored this activi- ty for more than 30 years. Also on Staten the Annual Greenbelt to Great Kills Hike to Willowbrook Park- 1 Eton Place, Sunday, October 6. Join us and our friends from NYC Greenbelt Educa- tors to travel (one way!) from Willowbrook Park to , a distance of six miles! Monarch Butterflies begin their migration south in the fall. The Monarch and Pollinator Festival will occur on Saturday, September 28 at the Wildlife Refuge. Sandy Hook has slated a Monarch Butterfly Walk on Saturday, October 5. Every Kid in a Park Adventure Day will be presented at Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock and at , Sunday, Oc- tober 6. Every Kid in a Park is a national initiative that provides fourth graders with a free National Park Pass for themselves and their families to visit all of our federally managed public lands, waters, and shores. Come and pick up your pass, good for one year, and join us for a day filled with adventure. Learn about the special changes taking place in the fall season at Jamaica Bay, such as bird migration (live birds and hawks), fall equinox, hibernation (both plants and animals), fish migration, and weath- er. Can you dig dirt? Join us for the Urban Soils Festival, – Ecology Village Saturday, October 12, with partner Urban Soils Institute for workshops, art-science exhibits, food, music, harvest festival with local urban farms, and games. Experience the world of soils in our city and how they secretly support our city and daily lives. This is an event for all ages. Jamaica Bay Raptorama, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, October 20. Activities include indoor slide programs, a presentation of live hawks and owls provided by a local rehabilitation center, and more. Also the Winter Waterfowl Workshop, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Saturday, November 16. Learn about biology and behavior and how to identify the many species of ducks and geese in the field. Leader: Don Riepe. At Sandy Hook plan to join us for the FORT HANCOCK DAYS WEEKEND Mark the anniversary of the 1895 establish- ment of Fort Hancock and discover the fort’s role in the defense Marathon, has been run since 1970 and begins at Fort of our nation. There is the World War II Harbor Defense Lantern Wadsworth. Last year some 50,000 people participated. Photo by Tour Fort Hancock Museum/ Post Guardhouse, Friday, October Francesca Simondi. 11. And join us for Fort Hancock Day Battery Gunnison/New Peck, Sunday, October 13. If you would like to be on our mailing list to receive notifications of Join us as we commemorate the renaming of the events and this Program Guide, Please send a message with ‘program “Fortifications at Sandy Hook” to “Fort Hancock” in October guide’ in the subject line to Charles [email protected]. 1895. As part of this commemoration, volunteers from the Army Ground Forces Association uniformed as World War II era Coast The ♥ symbol indicates a program of moderate exercise. Pump Artillery soldiers will bring Battery Gunnison/New Peck and its 6-inch guns to life as they were in October 1943. up your heart as you enjoy the park . The details of these events and many more are found in these program guides. — C. Markis November 17, Beach Cleanup Visitor Center Visitor Center Hours Saturday, September 7 Wed– Sunday Great Kills Park November 24, 2019 Asiatic Sand Sedge 6 PM – 7:30 PM Hours Before New York became the iconic Removal Great Kills Park Please Register Prior to Event to Re- modern city we know today, it was Recurring Programs one of the bloody battlegrounds in the ceive Important Updates & Volunteer Discover Fort Tompkins Waiver. All persons under the age of 18 fight for American independence. Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center must be accompanied by an adult or in Join our historians at the Fort Daily, Wednesday-Sunday, possession of the signed Volunteer Agree- Wadsworth Harbor Overlook to learn 11AM and 2PM ment Form with the signature of their par- more about the Revolutionary War Explore the little known areas of this ent or legal guardian. and its toll on New York City. Please historic structure with a park ranger and To register call or email Park Ranger, bring a lawn chair, insect repellent learn about coastal fortifications and life Joseph Roth:(718) 819-7574 | and a flashlight! For information call in the 1800’s. Wear sturdy footwear. [email protected] 718-354-4500. What to Bring: Fort Wadsworth: Water to stay hydrated and your own re- Stargazing The Guardian of the Narrows usable water bottle ; Sturdy, closed-toe Amateur Astronomers Association of Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center shoes (preferably hiking boots or durable New York Saturdays, through September 28 shoes) ; Clothing that can get dirty Great Kills Park Lot A 11AM – 12:30PM (preferably long pants and socks to keep Saturday, September 7 Have you ever spotted Battery Weed you protected); Sun & Insect Protection: 7:30 PM - 11 PM from the Verrazano Bridge, or hiked by hat, sunblock, long sleeves, insect repel- The Staten Island Chapter of the Am- its gates during a morning walk? Take lent; Snacks to keep you going! ateur Astronomer’s Association hosts this rare opportunity to go inside and Meeting Locations: public stargazing at the main parking hear more about the history of this struc- Great Kills Park: Ranger Station area, Lot A. Inclement weather will ture that has stood guard over the harbor Miller Field: Playground Parking Lot cancel the program. for 150 years. Learn about the rest of Fort Wadsworth: Lower Campground Fort Wadsworth on this weekly walking Parking Lot RICHARD III tour. For Additional Volunteer Opportunities in by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Gateway National Recreation Area vis- Fort Wadsworth, Battery Weed Volunteer Opportunities it: https://www.nps.gov/gate/getinvolved/ Saturday & Sunday, volunteer.htm September 14 & 15, 21 & 22 Sunday Volunteer Program 3:00 PM Every Sunday starting September 8 September The Staten Island Shakespearean through November, Gateway wants you Theater Company returns with the and your family to come out and spend Maritime New York bard ’ s haunting tale of murder and two and a half hours with a Park Ranger Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center intrigue as Richard, Duke of Glouces- to learn about the coastal habitat while Sunday, September 1 ter, vies for the Crown. Tickets are also doing your part to protect an area 1PM - 2PM FREE and can be obtained at the door that many species call their home. Come Dive into New York’s seafaring history before each performance, or to re- out after breakfast and bring food for with a park ranger. Learn about the im- serve tickets in advance go to https:// lunch so you can work up an appetite portance of the city’s shipping channels www.showclix.com/events/1247? volunteering. and waterways since the Lenape era, and fbclid=IwAR0F5E5PAth5BM8xQG4vSNR5 Schedule: All Sundays hear the fascinating stories of sailors in 8o9TLQYwe3cnWbr_qHXXxNFfv- 10:00AM – 12:30PM the port city throughout the 1800s. Sloops, bXpNrOuoA or the SIST web- September 8, Beach Cleanup schooners, clippers, and brigs, oh my! site: sishakespeare.org. Chairs for this Miller Field For information call 718-354-4500. open-air performance will be provid- September 15, Beach Cleanup ed, or bring a comfortable lawn chair. Fort Wadsworth Arts & Crafts A shuttle bus will leave from the Vis- September 22, Asiatic Sand Sedge Re- Miller Field Ranger Station itor Center down to the performance moval Great Kills Park Saturday, September 7 site. September 29, Asiatic Sand Sedge Re- 10 AM moval Great Kills Park Interested in creating your own special International Coastal Cleanup October 6, Beach Cleanup arts & crafts project? Then join a park Great Kills Park Beach Center – Miller Field ranger and others from the community to Lot G October 13, 2019 Beach Cleanup design your own masterpiece. All ages Saturday, September 21 Fort Wadsworth are welcome. Materials will be provided. 10:30 AM -12 PM October 20, Beach Cleanup Call 718-351-6970 to reserve a spot. Join us for the Annual New York Great Kills Park State Beach Cleanup, locally spon- October 27, 2019 Asiatic Sand Sedge sored by the American Littoral Socie- Removal Great Kills Park “Brave men I must this day lose:” ty. For more than 30 years volunteers November 3, NO PROGRAM The Revolutionary Battlefields of have been documenting the type and November 10, Beach Cleanup New York City amount of debris littering our shores. Fort Wadsworth Wear closed shoes and bring water. 1PM - 2PM crafts night. All ages are welcome. Contact 718 354-4655 for questions Did you know that Fort Wadsworth was a Materials will be provided. and reservations. POW camp during WWII? Come cele- brate Italian Heritage Month and learn Stargazing Design an Autumn Wreath about the Italian Services Unit, a group of Amateur Astronomers Association of Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row prisoners, turned allies, who lived and New York 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort worked on Staten Island during the war. Great Kills Park Lot A Wadsworth Hear about the top secret work these pris- Saturday, October 26 Saturday, September 21 oners completed for the Allies, and about 7:30 PM - 11 PM 1:00PM their lives at Fort Wadsworth. The Staten Island Chapter of the Am- Make a lovely small wreath to take ateur Astronomer’s Association hosts home. Materials will be provided. Dried Flower Art public stargazing at the main parking For information and reservations call: Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row area, Lot A. Inclement weather will Earnestine 718 351-6970 or email 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort Wadsworth cancel the program. [email protected] Saturday, October 19 1:00PM Monthly Beach Cleanup RICHARD III The Victorians made dried flowers into an Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE art. Join us at Mont Sec House to learn Sunday, October 27 Fort Wadsworth, Battery Weed about this craft and construct your own 11AM- 12:30 PM Saturday & Sunday, picture from dried plants and flowers. For Help clean the beach and dune areas. September 21 & 22 information and reservations call 718-354 Wear closed shoes and bring water. 3:00 PM Program details above. - 4500 or email [email protected] For reservations contact 718 354- 4655. October "I Was A Teenage Werewolf" Fort Tompkins Tragedies in Granite: “Nature Keeper” Saturday, October 19 A Walk Along the Narrows Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row 7:30PM Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort The and Don's Place Sunday, October 27 Wadsworth (a NYC based club that brings togeth- 2PM – 3PM Saturday, October 5 er LGBTQ horror movie fans for scary Enjoy a spooky autumn walking tour 1:00 – 3:00 PM screenings and spirited discussions) pre- of the abandoned granite structures of Decorate and fill a small tin honoring sent “I Was a Teenage Were- the park. Hear about some of the the positive qualities of nature. Make wolf” (1957, 1:16 mins), followed mysteries, misfortunes, and mishaps a pocket-sized treasure box, a desk by a Q&A on the world of coded horror that have occurred throughout Fort companion, or your own easy-to- classics. Advanced registration required Wadsworth’s long career. Bring a carry shrine. Open to all ages, craft- at www.aliceausten.org. flashlight, we’ll also explore the tun- ing experience not required. Materi- nel-like galleries in the fort. For in- als supplied free of charge. For infor- Open House New York formation call 718-354-4500 mation call 718-354-4500 or email Fort Wadsworth - [email protected] Meet at the Visitor Center November Sunday, October 20 Annual Greenbelt to 10:00 A M– 2:00 PM Stargazing Great Kills Hike Special behind-the-scenes tours of Fort Amateur Astronomers Association of Willowbrook Park- 1 Eton Place Wadsworth and Battery Weed for the an- New York Sunday, October 6 nual Open House New York. Under the Hunters Moon 11AM – 2 PM Great Kills Park Lot A Join us and our friends from NYC “Mouse’s First Autumn” Saturday, November 2 Greenbelt Educators to travel (one Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row 7:30 PM – 9:30:00 PM way!) from Willowbrook Park to 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort Wadsworth Learn about the sights and sounds of Great Kills Park. Meet at the flagpole Thursday, October 24 the night by join the Staten Island in Willowbrook Park. This brisk- 10:30-11:30 AM Chapter of the Amateur Astronomer ’ s paced hike is approximately 6 miles Parents and young children join us for an Association for stargazing in the one way (#FindYourWay). Bring wa- autumn story and then design your own park. Inclement weather will cancel ter, a snack, and insect repellent. Reg- collage using fabric fall leaves for a pic- the program. Call 718 354-4655 for istration required. Call (718) 351- ture to take home. For information call details. 3450 or email nature- 718-354-4500 or email Di- [email protected]. ♥ 6 miles. [email protected] Crazy Quilt Stocking Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row Don’t Fuhgeddaboudit: Halloween Arts & Crafts 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort The Italian Services Unit at Miller Field Ranger Station Wadsworth Fort Wadsworth Saturday, October 26 Saturday November 16 Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center 6:30 PM Time 1:00 - 3:00 PM Sunday, October 6 and October 13 Join us for the annual Halloween arts and

Get into the holiday spirit and hand- make a beautiful stocking in the Vic- Fall Hike and Fort Tour torian crazy quilt style. Open to all Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center ages; crafting experience not re- Sunday, November 24 quired. Materials supplied free of 11 PM -1 PM charge. Participants are also encour- Hike the overlook loop and the paths at aged to bring their own fabric scraps Fort Wadsworth. Bring binoculars, and and trim to add a personal touch. For comfortable shoes. Call 718 354-4655 for information call 718-354-4500 or reservations. ♥ 2 miles. email [email protected] Monthly Beach Cleanup Fall Hike and Fort Tour Great Kills Park Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Beach Center–Lot G Sunday, November 17 Sunday, November 24 11 AM -1 PM 3 PM - 4 PM Hike the overlook loop, along the Help clean the beach and dune areas… paths at Fort Wadsworth. Bring bin- Wear closed shoes and bring water. For oculars, and comfortable shoes. Call reservations contact 718 354-4655. 718 354-4655 for reservations. ♥ 2 miles. —end of listings—

Thanksgiving Story at Mont Sec House Mont Sec House, Officer’s Row 112A Mont Sec Avenue, Fort Wadsworth Saturday November 23 Time 10:00 – 11:30 AM Parents and young children are invit- ed to join a ranger in the Victorian parlour at Mont Sec House to listen to a Victorian Thanksgiving story. Complete your visit with a craft to take home. For information call 718- 354-4500 or email Di- [email protected]

Stargazing Amateur Astronomers Association of New York Great Kills Park Lot A Saturday, November 23 7:30 PM - 11 PM The Staten Island Chapter of the Am- ateur Astronomer’s Association hosts public stargazing at the main parking area, lot A. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Arts & Crafts Miller Field Ranger Station Sunday, November 24 10 AM Join a park ranger for this fun, family activity. All supplies will be provid- ed and all ages are welcome. Call 718-351-6970 to reserve a spot.