Floyd Bennett Field imagery

Floyd Bennett Field

An historic airfield and recreational park on Jamaica Bay

THINGS TO DO

Nature, birding, fishing and interpretative tours. Concession-operated facilities include Aviator Sports, a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility; a golf driving range, tennis courts, baseball batting cages, mini-golf, a full service marina and a riding academy.

PROGRAMS:

  • Aviation at Floyd Bennett Field - Learn about the "Golden Age" of aviation and Floyd Bennett Field's crucial role in World War II. Ryan Visitor Center, Saturdays, 1 pm-2 pm.
  • Explore New York City's First Control Tour - See a spectacular view of Floyd Bennett Field and Jamaica Bay while learning about their importance in aviation history. Ryan Visitor Center, Sundays, 1 pm-2 pm.
  • Gateway Greenhouse Needs You! - Join Friends of Gateway at the greenhouse on Floyd Bennett Field on the second Saturday of every month at 11:30AM. Help nurture trees and shrubs for community planting. For more information call 212-228-3126.

For all ages; handicapped-accessible

Home to record-breaking flights of famous aviators, including Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes, Floyd Bennett Field -- part of Gateway National Recreation Area -- opened in 1931 as New York's first municipal airport. It was converted to a Naval Air Station in 1941 and served in that capacity until 1972. The most active airport in the United States during World War II, the people who served at the field and the events that took place there had great impact on military aviation, and on America's wars.

Today, the Ryan Visitor Center, the former airport's control tower building, celebrates these events through exhibitions and interpretive programming. The Field is also home to sports facilities, a community garden and acres of grassland -- an attractive habitat for birds like falcons and kestrels.