New York Harbor is perhaps the most iconic harbor in the United States. It’s a bustling urban area with an incredible history and many attractions. But did you know that the harbor is home to a variety of national parks that offer an up close view of the harbor’s wildlife and natural beauty? From sailing to wildlife watching, these national parks of New York Harbor provide visitors with a unique outdoor experience.
What is the National Parks Service?
The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the national parks, monuments, historic sites and recreational areas in the United States. The NPS was established in 1916, and since then it has worked to preserve and protect the nation’s natural resources and public lands.
The National Parks of New York Harbor
The national parks of New York Harbor consist of three distinct areas: Gateway National Recreation Area, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Gateway National Recreation Area includes three separate parks that encompass more than 26,000 acres of marshland, wetlands, beaches, and a variety of habitats for local and migratory wildlife. The Statue of Liberty National Monument, located on Liberty Island, is the iconic symbol of New York Harbor, while Ellis Island is a memorial to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came here in search of a new life. Here is more information about each of the three national parks:
Gateway National Recreation Area
• Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: Situated on the tip of Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn and Queens, this 4,000 acre refuge is home to some of the best bird watching in the northeastern U.S.
• Sandy Hook National Seashore: This National Seashore takes up 7.5 miles of the Jersey coast, and it’s the perfect beach getaway for hiking, swimming, fishing and more.
• Staten Island Unit: This unit is situated on Staten Island, and it includes two beaches, hiking trails and marshlands.
Statue of Liberty National Monument
• Liberty State Park: This is the park that surrounds the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island. The park provides visitors with the perfect views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.
• Ellis Island Immigration Museum: Located nearby on Ellis Island, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is a memorial to the millions of immigrants who came to America in search of a new life.
• The Crown: Accroding to the National Parks Service, “The Crown symbolizes the United States as a country of immigrants coming together to build a strong country.”
Activities at the National Parks of New York Harbor
The national parks of New York Harbor offer a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Here are some of the activities that can be enjoyed at each of the three parks;
• Gateway National Recreation Area: Fishing, swimming, bird watching, camping, cycling, horseback riding, sailing and more.
• Statue of Liberty National Monument: Touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, kayaking around Liberty Island, attending ranger-led programs, and taking a ferry ride around lower Manhattan.
• Ellis Island Immigration Museum: Participating in ranger-led programs, touring the museum and walking the grounds of the island.
Wildlife at the National Parks of New York Harbor
The national parks of New York Harbor are also home to a variety of wildlife, including:
• Birds: More than 300 species of birds make the harbor their home, including osprey, egrets, cormorants, and many more.
• Marine Life: Harbor seals, horseshoe crabs, and bottlenose dolphins are just a few of the marine species found in the waters of the harbor.
• Fish: Striped bass, black sea bass and weakfish are some of the fish species found in the harbor, making it an ideal spot for anglers.
• Invertebrates: There are also an array of invertebrate species to be found in the harbor, including jellyfish and seahorses.
The national parks of New York Harbor offer an up close view of the harbor’s wildlife and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, bird watching and more. The parks are also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, marine life, fish, and invertebrates. No matter what your interests are, the national parks of New York Harbor offer something for everyone to enjoy.
