News Release

Gateway National Recreation Area to Increase Access to Floyd Bennett Field

Date: June 12, 2020
Contact: Daphne Yun, 917-282-9393

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Saturday, June 13, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to Floyd Bennett Field for recreational activities such as fishing, biking, hiking.  The Ryan Visitor Center, campground, archery and sports fields remain closed until further notice. Fishing permits are not being sold at this time, but 2019 fishing permits will be honored until further notice. Please follow regular park rules while visiting and maintain six feet of social distancing from other park visitors.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gateway National Recreation Area, our operational approach will be to continue to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. 
Floyd Bennett Field is accessible for visitors to enjoy. A return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. 

For updates about Gateway, visit www.nps.gov/gate or follow us on Twitter and Facebook @GatewayNPS.



About Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway is a large diverse urban park with 27,000 acres spanning Sandy Hook in N.J. and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island in N.Y. It offers green spaces, beaches, wildlife and outdoor recreation, all alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. It is the 4^th most visited National Park Service unit with more than 9.2 million annual visitors. For more information about Gateway, visit www.nps.gov/gate.