National Park Service U. S. Department of the Interior Gateway Visitor Programs and Events Summer 2019 Jamaica Bay, New York Beach Plums in bloom; Marine Park Bridge viewed from Plumb Beach, Jamaica Bay. Photo by Don Riepe Highlighted programs and event If you are in the mood to lend a hand there And you may want to take advantage These are some special pro- are some volunteer opportunities for you: of these special events: grams offered at Jamaica Bay this sum- Monthly Beach Clean-ups mer. Summer Solstice Sunset Walk Beginning Kayak programs, no reserva- North Channel Bridge Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge tions required: Saturdays: June 1, July 6, August 3 Friday, June 21 Seaplane Ramp Kayaking Tryout 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn Seaplane Ramp National Trails Day Diamondback Terrapin Walk Saturdays and Sundays Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge May 25 – August 31 Sunday, June 2 June 20, 21, and 22 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM 1 PM – 4 PM 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Canarsie Pier Kayaking Tryout And here are some Recurring Programs Jamaica Bay Shorebird Festival; Canarsie Pier, Brooklyn that are offered through the summer : 13th Annual Event Saturdays Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge May 25 – August 31 Campfire Fridays Saturday, August 17 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Wise Clock, Jacob Riis Park @ Bay 6 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM July 5 – August 30 Riis Landing Kayaking Tryout 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM See the details for these and many Riis Landing, Queens more programs and events in the list- Sundays Birding for Beginners ings below. May 26 – August 25 Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Saturdays, May 18 through September 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Visitor Center Hours A Walking Tour of Historic Canarsie Pier Kayaking Tryout Fort Tilden Canarsie Pier, Brooklyn Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Fort Tilden (Meet in front of Building 1) Saturdays Open 7 days, 9 AM- 5 PM Sundays in June, July, and August May 25 – August 31 Ryan Visitor Center 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM Wednesday – Sunday 9 AM– 5 PM Join a park ranger for a walking tour of Fort Kayak tryouts for those who have never Permits and Retail Store 9AM-4 PM Tilden’s fortifications, and learn about the done it before. Open to the public, ages 6 fort’s role in defending New York Harbor and up with an adult. No reservation re- Camp Store through two world wars and the Cold War. quired. Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-4 PM ♥ 1 mile Friday-Sunday, 9 AM—8 PM Riis Landing Kayaking Tryout Explore Historic Hangar B Riis Landing, Queens Volunteer Opportunities Floyd Bennett Field Sundays Saturdays and Sundays in June, July, and Monthly Beach Clean-ups May 26 – August 25 August 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM North Channel Bridge 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Kayak tryouts for those who have never Saturdays: June 1, July 6, August 3 Join a park ranger for a tour of Hangar B done it before. Open to the public, ages 6 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and the aircraft inside, which are part of and up with an adult. No reservation re- Join the National Park Service and Sadha- Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history! na: Coalition of Progressive Hindus for quired. our monthly beach clean-up at the North Channel Bridge as part of an ongoing ef- fort to improve the coastline habitat of Jamaica Bay. Kayak Programs on the Water Programs and events National Trails Day Welcome to Gateway National Recreation June Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Area’s Jamaica Bay, the westernmost bay Sunday, June 2 along Long Island’s south shore. The bay’s World Science Festival Great Fish 1 PM – 4 PM open water, creeks, inlets and salt marshes Count Join us on National Trails Day as we con- teem with wildlife, from spawning fish, Canarsie Pier duct some trail maintenance around the shrimp and horse shoe crabs, to mud snails, Saturday, June 1 refuge. All tools will be provided, just laughing gulls, and terrapin turtles. Nation- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM bring yourself in a sturdy pair of footwear al Park Service stewards protect this re- Striped bass and bluefish and fluke, oh and long pants. Call 718-318-4340 for markable wildlife refuge deep within the my! Now in its 4th year, this hugely popu- more information. New York City metropolis and present lar, all-age, hands-on event is a celebration free, fun and educational paddling pro- of the marine life in the waters surround- Recurring Programs ing our five boroughs. Top marine biolo- grams to experience it first-hand. Join us! Campfire Fridays For all programs: dress to get wet, wear gists and scientists will work with you and Wise Clock, Jacob Riis Park @ Bay 6 shoes that will not fall off, and bring water, your kids to discover–and count–the many June 28 – August 30 sunscreen and a snack. Kayaks, personal species of fish and marine creatures (even 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM floatation devices, paddles and instruction seahorses) right here in our own city wa- Sand, S’mores, and Singing Rangers - join will be provided. terways. No net needed. We’ll provide us for the iconic experience of a National The shortest paddles are called everything, including waders. Just head on down and help us count. Park campfire program each Friday even- “Kayaking Tryouts” Slightly longer trips ing at Jacob Riis Park. We encourage you are simply called “paddles,” for those with Hummingbird Hide-and-Seek to bring your own campfire stories, songs, a little bit more experience. “Excursions” Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and instruments. are the longest trips intended for those who Saturday, June 1 have paddled the listed distance before. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Birding for Beginners “Tryouts” and “Skills Sessions” are for first Hike out into the North Garden to hear Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge time paddlers, or those who wish to im- about the amazing journey of the Ruby- Saturdays, May 18 through September prove their skills and practice. There is throated hummingbird. Learn how they 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM something for everyone. build their nests, what they eat (and who Join us for an introductory nature walk All programs require a reservation eats them), and other fun facts that make where you will learn the essentials of bird- unless it is indicated that there is “No reser- them so special. Then spend time looking watching. ♥ 1 mile. vation required.” Call 718-338-3799 for through a scope, trying to observe them in more information, and to make a reserva- their natural habitat. All ages welcome. Osprey Watch Guided Walk tion. Dress for the weather. ♥ 1 mile. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Sundays, May 19 through September Seaplane Ramp Kayaking Tryout National Trails Day 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn Forest Park, Queens Learn all about the amazing Osprey on Seaplane Ramp Sunday, June 2 this guided walk of the West Pond Trail. Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 AM We’ll talk about their incredible migration May 25 – August 31 We’re teaming up with NYC Urban Park and the inspiring story of how conserva- 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Rangers in celebrating National Trails tion efforts were able to bring this species Kayak tryouts for those who have never Day! What better way to celebrate than back from the brink. ♥ 1 mile. done it before. Open to the public, ages 6 getting out and enjoying the fresh air in and up with an adult. No reservation re- one of New York City’s parks. Family quired. friendly activities will be offered. *Please note this is an off-site event hosted at For- Guardian of the Gateway: est Park. For more information, call: 718- 318-4340. Page 4. For updates, visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/gate, on Facebook at Gateway National Recreation Area, or on Twitter, @GatewayNPS. Ruffle Bar Excursion Join the Brooklyn Amateur Astronomers Asso- Kayak Skills Session and Practice Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn ciation for stargazing. Cancelled if overcast. Paddle Seaplane Ramp Riis Landing, Queens Wednesday, June 5 The Horseshoe Crab’s Crown Friday, June 14 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Exhibit Opening 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Paddle around this large island in Jamaica Bay Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Paddlers at every skill level will enjoy on this trip. Learn about the history of the is- Sunday, June 9 time on the water trying out new strokes land and the plants and animals that thrive 1:30 Reading or perfecting the standards. Participate there. ♥ 4.5 miles. 2:00 –4:00 PM Opening reception in fun demonstrations. No reservation Join us for the exhibit opening and reading by required. Seaplane Ramp Beginner Paddle the author, Heather Feather of her children’s Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn book. Exhibit, showing the creation of the Seaplane Ramp Kayaking Tryout Seaplane Ramp book runs for two months. Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn Wednesday, June 5 Seaplane Ramp 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM Paerdegat Basin Paddle Wednesday, June 19 First time paddlers follow along the shoreline Canarsie Pier, Brooklyn 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM salt marsh and historic airport tarmac and re- Wednesday, June 12 Kayak tryouts for those who have never turn a little “saltier” than at the start. Instruc- 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM done it before.