Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Staten Island Visitor Program Guide

Staten Island Visitor Program Guide

U. S. Department of the Interior Gateway Visitor Programs and Events Winter 2019

Staten Island,

View from the overlook: Verrazano Narrows Bridge and —NPS photo.

The fiscal year for the federal government tions (some of which are only open in sum- With our wonderful park partners, we ended on September 30, so during October mer) we greeted 84,014 visitors and an- provided 23 educational programs to 870 we have been involved in gathering visitor swered 105,976 questions about what there classes for a total of 25,655 students. statistics information, analyzing these num- is to do around the park (which we count as Considering the fact that the interpre- bers and filing reports. It seems a good “informal” interpretation). We provided tive and operations staff is only about 20, time to let you know what has happened at 661 separate programs (walks, talks, hikes, which does nearly double during the sum- Gateway since last October 2018. etc.) for 25, 954 visitors that focus on the mer months with the addition of our sea- First, you should know that Gateway is park’s major themes of (Natural Wonders sonal employees, these are amazing statis- the fourth most visited park in the 414 units of an Urban Estuary, Two Centuries of Na- tics. But of course our NPS staff could not in the NPS system! Our visitation hovers tional Defense, Maritime Heritage, Recrea- serve this many visitors without help. A around 8 million visitors. The beach areas tion and Education); these programs are lot of help… we have many valuable part- in all three units (, Jamaica counted as “formal” interpretation. There ner organizations and volunteers who Bay, and ) are enjoyed by were 35 demonstrations and performing arts provide close to many of the programs about 4 million visitors, with Sandy Hook events, like concerts, plays, and living his- and events to the public. in New Jersey and , in tory for some 2,769 attendees. At Sandy Hook the partner organiza- accounting for most of that total. Gateway hosted 43 special events at- tions presenting programs and events are: Remember that the beaches are only active tended by an astounding 119,791 people Sandy Hook Foundation, New Jersey Sea for the Memorial Day-- Labor Day summer including mega events such as the NYC Grant Consortium, NOAA, Clean Ocean season. Marathon (60,000) and the Five Boro Bike Action, American Littoral Society, Sandy At the park’s nine Visitor Contact Sta- Tour. Hook Child Care Center, This is an appropriate time to salute Coast Guard, Army Ground Forces these: US Coast Guard, Alice Austin, Staten Mickey Cohen, our long-time friend, vol- Association and Fort Hancock Nike Island OutLOUD and a thriving corps of unteer naturalist and tour leader. We thank Association NY-56. volunteers. him for his long and dedicated service and At we are grateful for And of course we have our band of regu- wish him well in all his endeavors. the help of these: American Littoral lar volunteers through the Volunteer in Parks So as winter arrives, do come out to Society, NYC Audubon, Jamaica Bay program (VIP). These committed individu- enjoy the park and enjoy some activities Rockaway Parks Conservancy the als and groups are the invaluable stewards, offered in this guide, but if you just want to Historic Aircraft Restoration Program always showing up to help in so many ways. come for a walk in the park, that’s fine too. (HARP) volunteers and many more. You see them in the Visitor Centers, on the Be safe and dress appropriately for outdoor Education partners include New Jer- trails, and in the field. We could not func- activity. – C. Markis sey Sea Grant Constortium, Urban tion without tthe ## of vols who show up to Soils Institute and Jamaica Bay Parks help out. (Here is the link for information The ♥ indicates an activity with moder- Conservancy. on volunteering: https://www.nps.gov/gate/ ate exercise; get outside and get mov- Staten Island receives help from getinvolved/supportyourpark/vol-opps.htm ) ing. Mailing list— if you would like to be receive email notifications of this guide as well as programs and events,

Winter Day, , Salvatore Pollina, 2016 Animal tracks in Snow, Jamaica Bay, Jerin Arifa, 2014

Snowy Sunset, Sandy Hook, Maureen Kotusky, 2016 Snowy City Owl, by Robert Hillmann, 2014 Visitor Center Hours Great Kills Park Education Field Station Midwinter Recess - Birds Sunday, January 5 Great Kills Park Education

Friday- Sunday, 12 PM -4 PM 11 AM – 1 PM Field Station Join Yoga Teacher Linda for mindful re- Tuesday, February 18 12 PM – 2:30 PM Recurring programs laxation, yoga practice and to take a walk Join us for a walk, art project and along the harbor promenade. Bring mats, water and tea! Let us know if you do not indoor workshop identifying local Afternoons at Mont Sec House winter birds. Bring snacks and dress 112 A Mont Sec Avenue have a mat. All ages welcome. Reserva- tions required. Call 718-354-4655. ♥ 2 appropriately. Reservations required: Fort Wadsworth 718 - 354 - 4655 ♥ 2 miles. Thursdays: December 12, January 9, miles.

February 6 Midwinter Recess - 1 PM Winter Waterfowl Art Contest Visit historic Mont Sec House for an Monthly Beach Clean-up and afternoon in another era. Join a Park Wrackline Walk Great Kills Park Education Field Sta- tion Ranger for a tour of the home and Great Kills Park Beach Center- Lot A discover how an officer and his fami- Sunday, January 19 Wednesday, February 19 ly lived at Fort Wadsworth during the 10 AM - 11:30 AM 12 PM – 2:30 PM nineteenth century. For information While removing debris from the beach, Join us for a walk and participate in email [email protected] we will record data and tally monthly lo- an art competition. Bring snacks and dress appropriately. Reservations re- cal marine litter. Learn about beach ecol- Fort Walking Tour ogy and the sources of pollution and how quired; 718-354-4655. ♥ 2 miles.

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center we can make our shores cleaner. Dress

Sunday, December 1 appropriately. Call for reservations. 718- 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM 354-4655. ♥ 2 miles. Midwinter Recess - Join us for a 1.5-hour hike at Fort Story Hour Programs Wadsworth as we explore both the Around the World with Nellie Bly 112 A Mont Sec Avenue natural areas and the remnants of the 112 A Mont Sec Avenue Mont Sec House, Fort Wadsworth former harbor defense system. In- Mont Sec House, Fort Wadsworth 11:00 AM clement weather will cancel the pro- Saturday, January 25 Wednesday, February 19: gram. Reservations required. Call 718 1 PM Celebrate Black History Month -354-4655. ♥ 2 miles. Children 8 to 12, join a park ranger to with “Follow the Drinking learn about the fabulous Nellie Bly. View Gourd” Monthly Beach Clean-up and a film about this world traveling reporter Thursday, February 20: Wrackline Walk and play the Nellie Bly board game. This Winter Stories Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center original game is part of the park’s collec- Friday, February 21: Sunday, December 8 tion. Reservations required. For infor- Rhymes and Verses 10 AM - 11:30 AM mation email [email protected] Celebrate winter with Story Hour While removing debris from the programs at historic Mont Sec House beach, we will record data and tally Fort Walking Tour during your child’s winter break. monthly local marine litter. Learn Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center Each story will be accompanied with about beach ecology and the sources Sunday, January 26 a fun craft or activity. For infor- of pollution and how we can make 2 PM - 3:30 PM mation email [email protected] our shores cleaner. Dress appropriate- Join us for a 1.5-hour hike at Fort ly. Call for reservations. 718-354- Wadsworth as we explore both the natural Fort Walking Tour 4655. ♥ 2 miles. areas and the remnants of the former har- Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center bor defense system. Inclement weather Sunday, February 23 Fort Walking Tour will cancel the program. Reservations re- 2 PM - 3:30 PM Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center quired. Call 718-354-4655. ♥ 2 miles. Join us for a 1.5-hour hike at Fort Sunday, December 15 Wadsworth as we explore both the 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM Yoga and Relaxation Techniques natural areas and the remnants of the Join us for a 1.5-hour hike at Fort with Guided Walking Meditation former harbor defense system. In- Wadsworth as we explore both the Great Kills Park Education Field Station clement weather will cancel the pro- natural areas and the remnants of the Sunday, February 2 gram. Reservations required. Call 718 former harbor defense system. In- 11 AM – 1 PM -354-4655. ♥ 2 miles. clement weather will cancel the pro- Join Yoga Teacher Linda for mindful re- gram. Reservations required. Call 718 laxation, yoga practice and to take a walk Mailing list— if you would like to be -354-4655. ♥ 2 miles. along the harbor promenade. Bring mats, receive email notifications of this water and tea! Let us know if you do not guide as well as programs and Yoga and Relaxation have a mat. All ages welcome. Reserva- events, send a message to tions required. Call 718-354-4655. ♥ 2 Techniques with Guided [email protected] with Walking Meditation miles. ‘program guide’ in subject line.

Top View