Fort Totten Is Not Mystic Seaport

Thanks to the hard work of our elected officials, Community Boards 7 and 11, the Department of Parks & Recreation and the many concerned citizens of northeast Queens, Fort Totten Park is finally a reality. Visitors to Fort Totten can enjoy a variety of passive recreational activities in a beautiful waterfront setting.
There have been some well intentioned but ill-advised suggestions that a “Mystic Seaport” type attraction be created on Fort Totten. Mystic Seaport in Connecticut opened as a maritime museum but has evolved into a miniature theme park being fueled by commercial interests.
Mystic Seaport occupies 17 acres, charges a $12 admission fee (parks should be free), contains 7 shopping, dining and catering facilities and promotes overnight stays. During the peak months visitors are advised to make advance reservations and the many surrounding motels display “no vacancy”signs. A planetarium is also located on the grounds of Mystic Seaport. Annual attendance is approximately 320,000 and during the peak year of 1976, Mystic Seaport attracted 578,000 visitors. More than 500 vessels are owned by the seaport.
The streets and highways surrounding Fort Totten are already overwhelmed by vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Parking is at a premium. It’s not difficult to envision the devastatingly negative impact a waterfront theme park would have on the community.
I have no doubt that by working together in a good faith effort, agreement can be reached on how to best revitalize the Fort Totten waterfront - a revitalization which will benefit all park users. Commercial development of “our” parkland is unwelcome and something each and every one of us should oppose.
Warren Schreiber
President, Friends of
Fort Totten Parks
Bayside