Exploring Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Video Series

Jamaica Bay and Rockaway parks support diverse ecosystems and exciting recreational opportunities right here in New York City in Brooklyn and Queens. Learn about the natural areas and historic sites throughout these parks, the threats they face, and the people who work to protect them. 

Welcome to Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Parks

In Jamaica Bay and Rockaway, you can visit ocean beaches, salt marshes, meadowlands, and maritime forests, and enjoy surfing, fishing, hiking and so much more! Learn about how this area has transformed overtime, from its pristine origin as Munsee-Lenape land, through European colonization, industrialization, and years of environmental neglect, to the vibrant parks and natural spaces we enjoy today.

Marsh Islands of Jamaica Bay

Salt marsh islands are the lifeblood of Jamaica Bay: they provide critical habitat for wildlife, filter pollutants from the water, and form New York City’s natural defense against coastal storms.  Learn how urbanization has lead to the depletion of Jamaica Bay’s salt marsh islands, and about the on-going work to replenish them.

Marine Debris in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway

Learn how trash and marine debris travel from land to sea, and about the many ways this global problem impacts local shorelines and wildlife in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. Discover the on-going efforts to combat the problem of marine debris in New York City’s waterways, and the inspiring work to find solutions by people around the world.

Floyd Bennett Field, New York City’s Best Kept Secret

Join Ranger Lincoln Hallowell for a tour of Floyd Bennett Field, New York City’s first municipal airport, now a part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Experience the glamour of air travel in the 1930’s, meet the famous aviators who made record-breaking flights from Floyd Bennett Field, and hear from NPS rangers at two other aviation sites within the national park system, Dayton Aviation National Historic Park and the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

The Rangers of Gateway National Recreation Area

What are the challenges of managing a national park in one of the densest cities in the country? Hear from park rangers at Gateway National Recreation Area about the difficulties of keeping the park’s natural areas pristine and historic structures preserved while maintaining a park that is accessible to all - and find out how you can help these efforts!

Caring for Gateway National Recreation Area

What are the challenges of managing a national park in one of the densest cities in the country? Hear from park rangers at Gateway National Recreation Area about the difficulties of keeping the park’s natural areas pristine and historic structures preserved while maintaining a park that is accessible to all - and find out how you can help these efforts!

New York City’s Oldest Inhabitants: Horseshoe Crabs in Jamaica Bay

Join Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian for the American Littoral Society, as he talks about the importance of the horseshoe crab. New York City's oldest inhabitant, the horseshoe crab can be found in Jamaica Bay. Each year, the National Park Service along with organizations and volunteers tag horseshoe crabs and monitor their behavior. This important species supports many of the migratory birds in Jamaica Bay and play an important role in human medicine.

The Return of the Osprey to Jamaica Bay, New York City

Join Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Guardian for the American Littoral Society, as he talks about the osprey – one of the most amazing raptors of New York City. Found in Jamaica Bay, typically on platform nests, the osprey was decimated decades ago in New York City with no birds found in 1990. Today, 25 nesting pairs can be found in Jamaica Bay and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, part of Gateway National Recreation Area.


The Exploring Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Video Series was produced by Julia de Guzman and JBRPC staff. The series was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of donors from across the country.