News Release

Gateway National Recreation Area Provides Recreational Access for Canarsie Pier for Memorial Day Weekend

Date: May 22, 2020
Contact: Brenda Ling, 347-216-0395

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 will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Canarsie Pier for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide 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.
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 will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Canarsie Pier for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide 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.

With public health in mind, please note the following for the Memorial Day weekend:
 

• Closure time is 9 p.m. (instead of current 2 a.m.)
• Parking will be reduced.
• Playground is closed.
• Picnic area is closed. Group picnicking and barbecuing not allowed.

Park rules and regulations remain in effect for Canarsie Pier. Visitors are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines. Please keep 6 feet from other visitors and avoid group gatherings.

Beach rules for Riis Park and Fort Tilden include no alcohol, no smoking, no tents or shelters, and no glass containers. Visitors are not allowed to access areas with symbolic fencing; climb on groins, or enter the dunes (except at designated dune crossings). Visitors are encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gateway, our operational approach will be 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.  

While these areas are 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.   
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/gate and social media channels (@GatewayNPS). Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

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.