Marine Park
Brooklyn
If you’re looking for
something way out of the way to do, Floyd Bennett Field is for you. It’s
located at the very end of Flatbush Avenue at the part of Brooklyn that is a
bridge away from becoming Queens. I’d ridden my bike past the Field several
times on the way to Breezy Point Beach; from the street all that’s visible is
some soccer fields and a couple of severely unkempt airplane hangers. But I’d
heard rumors that air shows still take place there in the summers, and then I
heard about the Historic Aircraft Restoration Project (H.A.R.P.) and decided I
definitely had to get a closer look at this place.
Floyd Bennett Field is a
bike rider’s dream. It opened in 1931 as New York City’s first municipal
airport but couldn’t compete with LaGuardia Airport when it opened in 1939.
Even on a busy-ish Saturday there is very little car traffic and wide-open
runways free to bike on without fear of getting hit. There are few bike racks,
but we left our bikes unattended for hours and they were untouched. Its
distance can make it intimidating for some bikers, but you can take public bus
or drive if you prefer.
The ex-airport is loaded
with amazing history. When it opened on May 23rd, it was one of the
most modern airports in the world. Because of this, it was the site for many
record breaking flights during the 1930s, including Jacqueline Cochran’s P-35
flight which made her the first female pilot to break the sound barrier and
Wiley Post’s flight in the Winnie Mae which was the first solo flight around
the world. Howard Hughes later broke the record for shortest flight around the
world, taking off from and landing at Floyd Bennett.
The U.S. Navy bought the
airport in 1941 as a way to expand its aviation capabilities when it became
apparent America would not be able to stay out of World War II. It was at Floyd
Bennett that the Navy developed the helicopter as an aircraft for use in
air-sea rescue operations, demonstrating the first use of the helicopter rescue
winch in Jamaica Bay in 1944. It remained a Navel Air Station until 1971, and
became part of Gateway National Park, one of the nation’s first urban national
parks, in 1972.
Over the forty years that
Floyd Bennett has been a national park, some buildings have been left to fall
into disrepair, while a rather fancy Aviator Sports Complex has been
constructed near the Ryan Visitor Center along Flatbush. This is where most
visitors congregate. The Sports Complex is filled with ice-skating rinks, rock
climbing walls, an arcade, and a self-serve café that specializes in all things
deep-fried.
The good stuff, however,
is away from the main entranceway and along the shorelines of Jamaica Bay and
Mill Basin. This is where you’ll find Hangar B, which is hands-down one of the
most amazing things I’ve ever seen in New York City. Since 1995, H.A.R.P.
volunteers have been working to preserve the aviation history of Floyd Bennett
Field by restoring vintage aircraft. Hangar B is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. Tours are given every Sunday at 2pm or you can call
to arrange a tour on another day. You don’t really need to attend a tour,
however, as there are park rangers on duty to answer questions and you can
always talk to the one of the many volunteers (mostly middle-age and aging
men); they are more than happy to share their knowledge with you.
I would advise you to
call before going to ensure the Hangar is open, but we did that and the
operator had no idea what she was talking about. First she told us they didn’t
know if it would be open. Then she said it would be open from 1pm to 3pm with a
tour at 1pm. Turns out it was open at 9am and there was no 1pm tour. So, best
just to go during the open hours.
The aircraft being
restored cover the history of flight from the early 1900s through the late
1960s. They represent the different eras of flight at Floyd Bennett, from
airport to Naval Air Station, as well as cover the different services that flew
from the field: U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air National Guard, and
the NYC Police Department. There’s also two models of the gliders used by the
Wright brothers and a couple of Army ambulances thrown in for good measure. The
walls are comprised of mostly windows, but the little solid wall space that
exists is decorated with authentic recruitment posters and aircraft
decorations.
Other points of interest
at Floyd Bennett Field are the Model Flying Field, Model Racecar Track, and
North Forty Natural Area. The Model Flying Field is pretty amazing: dozens of
middle-aged men (I was the only female in sight) flying relatively large remote
control airplanes. These planes are loud and fast—the best fliers can maneuvers
their planes to twirl, dive, and fly upside down. Less exciting but just as
loud is the Racecar Track near the Park Administration building. The walking
paths along the northern end of the Field provide a change of pace from all the
machinery.
Floyd Bennett Field is
also one of only two places where camping is allowed in New York City (the
other is at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island—review below). This is basic
stuff—no electric or water hookups, no showers, just a few port-a-potties and
picnic tables—but they sell out fast during event weekends.
So, come one, come all.
Marvel at the planes of all ages and sizes. And even if you drive or take
public transit, bring your bikes.
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