Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!

The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.

If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.

UPDATE - This event is sold out! But Floyd Bennett Field still has plenty to explore, including Hangar B – which boasts a large collection of vintage civilian and military aircraft to admire.

Join us for a unique biking tour through the past, present, and future of New York City’s first municipal airport—now a National Park Service (NPS) site within Gateway National Recreation Area and one of the city’s most extraordinary natural and historic landscapes.

This guided ride will take you across some of Floyd Bennett Field’s vast runways and hidden trails, highlighting its aviation history, important natural areas that provide critical habitat for birds and other wildlife, ongoing restoration efforts, and the careful stewardship that helps protect this special place.

Logistical notes:

• Participants will need to bring their own bikes. Rentals are not available at Floyd Bennett Field.

• For folks bringing their bikes via car, free parking is plentiful outside Ryan Visitor Center. Please note that you’ll need to access the park via Aviation Road, off of Flatbush Avenue. See the diagram below.

• The full ride will be 6.5 miles in length, punctuated by stops to discuss each point of interest.

• Please also make sure to bring water and snacks! There are no public concessions at Floyd Bennett Field.

• Registration is required. Link coming soon.

The tour begins at the Ryan Visitor Center, where participants will be introduced to Floyd Bennett Field before heading up to the historic aircraft control tower for panoramic views of New York City, Jamaica Bay, and its surrounding communities. We’ll then proceed to historic Hangars 3 and 4 to learn about the exciting plans for their adaptive reuse.

We’ll head to the North 40 Natural Area, RC Plane Airfield, and views of Mill Basin from the kayak launch, then onward to the Seaplane Ramp, where sweeping views reveal Jamaica Bay’s surrounding parklands, marsh islands and the Rockaway Inlet – the gateway to one of the most ecologically significant estuaries in the region.

The tour will continue to Hangar B, home to an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft beautifully restored by NPS HARP (Historic Aircraft Restoration Program) volunteers, before riding through the park's extensive grasslands, where we will scan the skies for hawks, kestrels, and other seasonal visitors. We will then ride to the southern section of the park to see the Marian Heiskell Beach Grass Nursery, the outdoor archery range (one of only two in NYC!), and site of the future Runway Green outdoor learning campus. Our final destination will be the fishing beach on Rockaway Inlet, before riding back to the Ryan Visitor Center.

Driving instructions to Ryan Visitor Center:

Experience the Golden Age of Aviation at Floyd Bennett Field! Now part of the National Park Service’s Gateway National Recreation Area, Floyd Bennett Field served as New York City’s first municipal airport beginning in 1931 and the busiest Naval Air base in the country during World War II. Learn about Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history from National Park Service Rangers at Hangar B, located on the shores of Jamaica Bay. Home of Floyd Bennett Field’s Historic Aircraft Restoration Project (HARP), Hangar B contains dozens of restored and model aircraft.

UPDATE - This event is sold out! Although no space remains on this guided tour, we still encourage you to hike the West Pond Loop at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge – a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city.

Join JBRPC for an immersive walking tour of the West Pond Living Shoreline project at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Want to get outdoors and explore a hidden gem of New York City's largest open space?

Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for a guided nature tour of the West Pond Living Shoreline project at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. You'll get an exclusive, up-close look at this innovative shoreline restoration, installed in 2021 by JBRPC, the National Park Service, and the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay.

The Living Shoreline is a nature-based solution to the growing challenges of coastal erosion and wetland loss. As you explore the area, JBRPC staff will provide expert insight how this project has created new habitats and strengthened the resilience of this vital freshwater pond. This tour offers a unique insight into how nature-based solutions can protect coastal environments.

Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for a special monthly Park Pals Pop-Up at Floyd Bennett Field! Designed for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers, this early childhood family program invites little learners to explore the wonders of nature through hands-on sensory activities, themed read-alouds, and guided nature walks.

Our October session focuses on the special pollinators of Jamaica Bay and the unique coastal habitats where they can be found. We’ll explore and identify native pollinators like monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and cabbage moths, and their favorite snacks like milkweed, seaside goldenrod, and black-eyed susans.

The colors and scents of Fall, crisp and clean, inspires music and dance. The Brooklyn Dance Center presents performances that celebrate the bounty of the season. Bring your own blanket or chair Local artists John and Yoko Sheridan are among the performers inspired by the season. Sponsored by the Salt Marsh Alliance.

As the seasons change, so does the environment around us. While the leaves change colors and animals prepare for winter, join a ranger on a walk to learn about the changes we're seeing in Jamaica Bay, and bask in the beauty of brilliant fall leaves. 

Families are invited to join National Park Service Rangers and our friends from the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy for an afternoon of fishing! Whether you are an aspiring Jr. Angler or have dropped a line before, this hands-on program is the perfect way to experience the fun of fishing together. Discover local marine life, learn how to become an ethical angler, and practice dropping a cast. All fishing gear provided.

No registration required! First come, first served.

Join us on the Penn side of the park as we look for migratory birds passing through the area!

Join us on Thursday, October 22nd, from 5pm to 6:30pm for a session of sunset birding! Together we'll walk along the park's trails and view the migratory birds visiting this fall.

Binoculars and ID guides will be provided to borrow for the duration of the hike.

This program is free! All ages are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We will meet at Hendrix Creek Patio, near the Penn Entrance parking lot. Please wear comfortable shoes for gravel trails, dress for the weather, and bring water!

As the winter months progress, the prevailing winds and tides bring major debris into Jamaica Bay. Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for the November CleanSweep, an effort by volunteers and students to remove marine debris from our shoreline! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and end the year with the gift of clean shorelines!

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine.

JBRPC Community Stewardship Programs are generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Con Edison, NYC Green Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower, and public funding through NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, Former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Members Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Mercedes Narcisse.

Please complete our volunteer waiver prior to the start of the event by clicking here.

Join us for the 7th annual Treats on the Trails Halloween celebration: FREE trick-or-treating, crafts, and much more along the park trails!

Join us for our Halloween spectacular event along the trails of the Penn side of the park!

The festival begins at Hendrix Creek Patio and extends down Hendrix Creek Road. Along the way participate in crafts, play games, answer trivia questions, learn about the park, enter the raffle to win a kids' bike, and collect goodies!

Free face painting will be from 1pm to 3pm. First come first served.

This event is FREE and open to all ages! All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Registration is not required, but suggested if you wish to receive email updates about the event.

Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for Park Pals, a hands-on early childhood (0-6) series designed to spark curiosity, connection, and care for nature. Each 90-minute session includes storytime, crafts, and outdoor exploration along the beautiful shoreline of Floyd Bennett Field, all tailored for our youngest adventurers and their families. Come learn, play, and grow with us as we discover something new each session!

Our September session focuses on the creatures that live on the shore and in the waters of Jamaica Bay. We’ll explore the unique adaptations and behaviors of the horseshoe crab, fiddler crab, menhaden and migratory birds. Families will enjoy a range of hands-on activities and crafts in both indoor and outdoor settings. We'll be going on our guided nature walk and participating in a puppet show about adaptations!

JBRPC Park Pals Programs are generously supported by the New York Community Trust, Office of the New York State Attorney General for the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower. Public funding is provided by NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Members Joann Ariola and Mercedes Narcisse.

Registration is required. Please follow the link below.

Pumpkin giveaways, a costume parade, and so much fall fun thanks to Assemblymember Jaime Williams!

At the Carro Center, Fillmore Ave. & Madison Pl.

Families are invited to join National Park Service Rangers and our friends from the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy for an afternoon of fishing! Whether you are an aspiring Jr. Angler or have dropped a line before, this hands-on program is the perfect way to experience the fun of fishing together. Discover local marine life, learn how to become an ethical angler, and practice dropping a cast. All fishing gear provided.

Explore the Fountain trails after hours and learn about the night sky and spooky ecology! Registration required.

Join park educators for a Night Hike as you gear up for Halloween! Learn about the nocturnal wildlife, space, and the moon by observing the night sky from the Skybowl after hours!

This hike will take place on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 from 6pm to 8pm. The hike will be approximately 2 miles long on gravel trails. Please wear shoes you are comfortable walking in, dress for cold weather, and bring water!

This program is held after park hours on the Fountain Ave Side of the park. You cannot enter the park on the Pennsylvania Ave Side for this program.

Registered participants will receive a reminder email the day before the program that requires a response to confirm participation. Tickets will be forfeited if we do not receive a response by noon the day of program.

Note: Every participant must have their own ticket! Ex: A group of 3 must have 3 tickets.

As the winter months progress, the prevailing winds and tides bring major debris into Jamaica Bay. Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for the November CleanSweep, an effort by volunteers and students to remove marine debris from our shoreline! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and end the year with the gift of clean shorelines!

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine.

JBRPC Community Stewardship Programs are generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Con Edison, NYC Green Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower, and public funding through NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, Former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Members Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Mercedes Narcisse.

Please complete our volunteer waiver prior to the start of the event by clicking here.

As the winter months progress, the prevailing winds and tides bring major debris into Jamaica Bay. Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for the November CleanSweep, an effort by volunteers and students to remove marine debris from our shoreline! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and end the year with the gift of clean shorelines!

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine.

JBRPC Community Stewardship Programs are generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Con Edison, NYC Green Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower, and public funding through NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, Former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Members Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Mercedes Narcisse.

Please complete our volunteer waiver prior to the start of the event by clicking here.

UPDATE - Raptorama has been rescheduled to Sat Nov 7th 2026

——————

Raptorama is an annual event presented by the National Park Service at Gateway National Recreation Area with Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, American Littoral Society, NYC Bird Alliance, and the Wildlife Center of Long Island.

During the fall, millions of birds, including bird of prey migrate through New York City on their journey south for the winter. Raptorama at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is the perfect excuse to get outside, learn more about these animals amazing journeys, and see some of them up close and personal!

Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for our monthly Park Pals program at Floyd Bennett Field! Designed for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers, this early childhood family program invites little learners to explore the wonders of nature through hands-on sensory activities, themed read-alouds, and guided nature walks.

This session focuses on the birds of Jamaica Bay! What makes a bird a bird? Where do different species build their nests? What do they eat, and how do they find their food? Young explorers will discover the answers to these questions and more during a nature walk at Floyd Bennett Field, followed by a themed story, creative activities, and sensory and science-based exploration in the classroom.

Each Sunday session will focus on a different aspect of the changing fall season as families discover the plants, animals, and natural phenomena that make Floyd Bennett Field and the Jamaica Bay estuary so special. Together, we’ll explore textures, colors, sounds, and seasonal changes through play-based activities before heading out on a gentle walk to the shoreline, where families can enjoy sweeping views of Jamaica Bay and observe the wildlife that calls this estuary home.

Through stories, sensory exploration, and outdoor discovery, Park Pals encourages children and caregivers to slow down, connect with nature, and build a lifelong appreciation for the natural world together.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!

The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.

If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.

As the winter months progress, the prevailing winds and tides bring major debris into Jamaica Bay. Join Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for the November CleanSweep, an effort by volunteers and students to remove marine debris from our shoreline! Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and end the year with the gift of clean shorelines!

Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes, and bring their own water and sunscreen. Event is rain or shine.

JBRPC Community Stewardship Programs are generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Con Edison, NYC Green Fund, and NYC Ferry, operated by Hornblower, and public funding through NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer-Amato and Jaime R. Williams, Former NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Council Members Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Mercedes Narcisse.

Please complete our volunteer waiver prior to the start of the event by clicking here.

Join NYC Bird Alliance and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or a scope if they have them. Limited binoculars to use will be available.

The group will be meeting at The Nest/Building 135 located at 135 Aviation Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11234.

Registration not required but highly encouraged. Registration link coming soon!

Accessibility: This area contains paved and unpaved paths. Parking is available right near the meeting location.

Directions: The closest public transportation is the Q35 at Flatbush Av/Floyd Bennett Field Entrance stop. To locate the meeting point, enter Floyd Bennett Field at the main entrance on Flatbush Ave near the Marine Park Bridge. (look for the large National Park Service sign). Travel 650 ft on Aviation Road. Make the first right turn into the parking lot. The Nest /Building 135 is a light gray colored building directly next to this lot.

Rockaway Beach has recently been a prominent site to view marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals. Learn more about the different types of marine mammals that can be seen off the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. While we are not guaranteed to see any marine mammals, we will discuss some of what you might see and what you can do if you spot one in distress.

Join the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for our monthly Park Pals program at Floyd Bennett Field! Designed for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers, this early childhood family program invites little learners to explore the wonders of nature through hands-on sensory activities, themed read-alouds, and guided nature walks.

This Winter Wonders session will focus on exploring the winter landscape at Floyd Bennett Field and learning about seasonal changes. We’ll enjoy themed sensory activities, a read-aloud, and a winter scavenger hunt in the park. Park Pals will explore how animals stay warm and cozy through the winter at Jamaica Bay and discover the special ways nature changes during the coldest time of year.

Each Sunday session will focus on a different aspect of the changing fall season as families discover the plants, animals, and natural phenomena that make Floyd Bennett Field and the Jamaica Bay estuary so special. Together, we’ll explore textures, colors, sounds, and seasonal changes through play-based activities before heading out on a gentle walk to the shoreline, where families can enjoy sweeping views of Jamaica Bay and observe the wildlife that calls this estuary home.

Through stories, sensory exploration, and outdoor discovery, Park Pals encourages children and caregivers to slow down, connect with nature, and build a lifelong appreciation for the natural world together.

Join the Amateur Astronomers Association at historic Floyd Bennett Field for free monthly observing sessions, open to the public!

The observing location is next to the Community Garden. It is within walking distance of the Q35 bus, and there is ample parking for cars.

If you do come out, remember to observe proper car light etiquette. Douse your lights at the entrance in the fence line, and let someone guide you in. If your car has running lights that don’t turn off, park at the fence. NOTE: Events are canceled in the event of rain, of if the sky is overcast.

Join NYC Bird Alliance and Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy at Floyd Bennett Field, one of NYC's top spots for spotting winter wildlife! This former airfield-turned-natural haven offers a variety of habitats, from marshes to meadows, making it the perfect place to spot winter visitors like shovelers, scoters, and mergansers. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars or a scope if they have them. Limited binoculars to use will be available.

The group will be meeting at The Nest/Building 135 located at 135 Aviation Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11234.

Registration not required but highly encouraged. Registration link coming soon!

Accessibility: This area contains paved and unpaved paths. Parking is available right near the meeting location.

Directions: The closest public transportation is the Q35 at Flatbush Av/Floyd Bennett Field Entrance stop. To locate the meeting point, enter Floyd Bennett Field at the main entrance on Flatbush Ave near the Marine Park Bridge. (look for the large National Park Service sign). Travel 650 ft on Aviation Road. Make the first right turn into the parking lot. The Nest /Building 135 is a light gray colored building directly next to this lot.