Press Releases
WEINER LEADS MEDIA ON TOUR OF GATEWAY RENAISSANCE
New York City - Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) announced three new facilities and projects at the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, showcasing the renaissance of the nation’s largest urban national park.
Opening a New, 1.5 Mile Bike Path: Rep. Weiner officially opened a $1.5 million, 1.5 mile multiple use path that runs through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, allowing Gateway visitors to bike, stroll, jog, rollerblade and bird watch along one of the most scenic routes in Queens. The path expands the Rockaway Gateway Greenway, a 20 mile network of pathways around Jamaica Bay.
Renovating the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: Set to open in the fall, Rep. Weiner gave reporters a sneak peak at the $3.3 million renovation of the park’s visitor facility, which includes a multipurpose room for school groups and public lectures, display space and a variety of energy efficient upgrades. Rep. Weiner secured a $3.3 million appropriation to fund the project, which also relocates the refuge's maintenance facility away from where visitors congregate.
Saving Elders Point Island Wetlands: Rep. Weiner unveiled an innovative $13 million Elders Point Island wetlands restoration project to save the marsh islands ecosystem. The project – expected to be completed by the end of the year – involves pumping 270,000 cubic yards of sand and planting 900,000 plants to fortify 70 acres of marsh around Elders Point. Last year, Rep. Weiner secured a $1 million appropriation for Jamaica Bay wetlands restoration.
“Just because visitors come to Gateway in buses and not Winnebagos doesn’t make it any less important,” said Rep. Weiner. “These improvements 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.”
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Congressman Anthony D. Weiner
