Fix it and they will come . . .

$66 Million upgrade to Gateway National Park
BY TONIA N. CIMINO
Over the past nine years, nearly $66 million worth of renovations have been completed or are underway in New York City’s Gateway National Park.
In a “State of the National Park” speech, Congressmember Anthony Weiner said that the upgrades would work to protect and improve its wetlands, wildlife refuge, nature trails, historic sites, playgrounds, recreation areas and more.
The funding has gone to facelifts for the Golf Center, Gateway Marina, the popular Riis Pitch & Putt golf course, Riis Landing, preserving the Wildlife Refuge, renourishing the beaches and wetlands and the rehabilitation of playing fields in Fort Tilden and the Riis Park Tot Lot.
“Though millions enjoy Gateway National Park every year, it’s still one of New York City’s best kept secrets,” said Weiner. “These improvements will continue to fuel an ongoing renaissance at Gateway that will allow even more New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the Big Apple.”
Just last summer, Weiner officially opened the 1.5 mile multiple-use path that runs through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, allowing Gateway visitors to bike, stroll, jog, rollerblade and bird watch along one of the most scenic routes in Queens. The path expands the Rockaway Gateway Greenway, a 20-mile network of pathways around Jamaica Bay and is a new link to the city’s 350-mile Greenway system.
As part of the restoration, Weiner unveiled an innovative $13 million Elders Point Island wetlands restoration project to save the marsh islands ecosystem in Jamaica Bay. The project pumped 270,000 cubic yards of sand and planted 900,000 plants to restore 24 acres at Elders Point East.
Weiner also secured $126,000 for an Army Corps of Engineers study that would pave the way for building groins and jetties to protect against beach erosion and a potential hurricane.
Projects to come include a restored Jacob Riis Park, new exhibits for the remodeled Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Station, a full restoration of the wetlands in Jamaica Bay, improved public transportation, the beautification of Riis Beach, and funding for a three-person natural resources crew for the 300 acres of developed and undeveloped parkland adjoining Jamaica Bay and its tributaries.
The Gateway National Recreation Area encompasses 19,000 acres, more acreage than all of New York City’s parks combined. Gateway was visited by 4.1 million people last year, making it the fourth most visited national park in the nation.
The Jamaica Bay and Breezy Point units of Gateway, which fall primarily in Brooklyn and Queens, extend from Plumb Beach to Jamaica Bay, from Howard Beach to Rockaway, comprising a remarkable natural resource, and a place where families can come to learn, experience the great outdoors, or just relax and have fun.