Park 2 (a): Floyd Bennett Field of Gateway National Recreation Area, New York

5/25/12. Today we were on our way to eastern Long Island in New York and we decided to stop at one of the stamp cancellation centers in Gateway National Recreation Area. We were planning to go to one of the areas in Staten Island, but we missed the exit and had to go over the Verrazano Bridge. No problem, however, since we knew there were also many spots on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, too!

We decided to stop at Floyd Bennett Field, which was easy to find, except for the entrance! We went down a couple of paved roads that felt like we shouldn't be on them, then turned around and finally found the right road for the entrance.



Window in Visitor Center

According to the National Park Service website, Floyd Bennett Field was opened as New York City's first municipal airport on May 23, 1931. Throughout the 1930's, it was the site of many important first and record breaking flights, which helped to advance aviation technology during the "Golden Age of Aviation." In 1941, Floyd Bennett Field was sold to the United States Navy and became Naval Air Station-New York. During World War II, Floyd Bennett Field was the busiest naval air station in the United States. The field was used for training and antisubmarine patrol flights. It was also the home of the Naval Air Ferry Command which was responsible for the acceptance, commissioning, and ferrying of naval aircraft from the factories to the fleet.

 
We left the cat in the car and Muriel, Catherine, Jason, and his girlfriend Kelsey enjoyed the visitor's center attractions. They little rooms that had once been service areas (like a barber shop) for the airport were now made into museum rooms with artifacts, videos, and interactive exhibits. We were the only ones in the visitor's center and we really enjoyed ourselves. This is a great stop for children and any airplane enthusiasts. The videos from when the airport was operational were especially interesting.

We stamped our passports (with the wrong date of May 22) and left to tour the rest of the park. Unfortunately, Hanger B was closed today, but we drove around the outside areas, looking at the old buildings and runways. Over all, a fascinating and very different kind of national park unit!