RSS Feed
|
|||||
|
Floyd Bennett Visitor Center Funded For Makeover
Located at Floyd Bennett Field, the historic Ryan Center served as the passenger terminal to New York City's first municipal airport. Built in 1931, it is the original building behind which Howard Hughes took off and landed after completing a round-the-world record flight in 1938. Floyd Bennett's airfield was later used as an aerial hub for fighter planes during World War II and is currently home to a marine reserve unit. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the former passenger terminal will include meeting spaces, exhibits of the unique history of Floyd Bennett Field and offer complete visitor information for the attractions and facilities inside the park. The restoration of the Ryan Center will also turn the building's vintage control tower, which was originally built by the Navy on the eve of World War II, into a unique panoramic view deck, with views out into Jamaica Bay and towards the New York City skyline. "We want the building to be as majestic as its history," said Rep. Weiner. "This funding 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." Gateway National Recreation Area is one of New York's crown jewels, encompassing 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.
|
for larger version       |
||||
)
