It was the starting point or destination for famous aviators including Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, and Howard Hughes.
During World War II, the site was converted into the Naval Air Station New York, becoming the busiest naval air station in the country.
The airport's runways were constructed using a unique system of interlocked concrete slabs to handle the weight of heavy aircraft.
It is one of the few places in New York City where you can observe an authentic 'grassland' ecosystem, which is rare in the urban environment.
The original control tower remains standing and is an iconic example of 1930s aviation architecture.
The field was built on landfill that covered several smaller islands in Jamaica Bay, including Barren Island.
The hangars feature massive sliding doors that were designed to accommodate the wingspans of early 20th-century aircraft.
It served as the primary base for the Coast Guard's New York Air Station for several decades after the airport closed to civilian traffic.
Floyd Bennett Field, New York City’s first municipal airport, currently serves as a vast public greenspace within the Gateway National Recreation Area. The site preserves original Art Deco aviation hangars and terminal buildings that functioned as a major hub for record-setting trans-Atlantic flights in the 1930s. Spanning 1,400 acres on the Barren Island peninsula, the landscape includes expansive grasslands, salt marshes, and former runways repurposed for recreational activities. It functions as a base for the Aviator Sports and Events Center, which utilizes renovated hangar space for indoor athletics. The area is a critical habitat for grassland birds, including the state-endangered grasshopper sparrow. Visitors can access a community garden, a camping area, and miles of multi-use trails that traverse the perimeter of the historic airfield. The site is managed by the National Park Service, which maintains the historic integrity of the original flight line. It remains one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land in the Brooklyn borough.
The view of the historic control tower and the long, empty stretches of the original airfield runways.
Bring binoculars if you are interested in birdwatching, as the grasslands attract rare species during migration.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the perimeter paths are long and the terrain consists of weathered concrete and uneven dirt trails.
Check the National Park Service website for scheduled guided tours of the historic hangars, as they are not always open for general public entry.
Do not attempt to enter closed or fenced-off historic buildings, as they contain structural hazards.
The park grounds are generally accessible daily from dawn to dusk, but specific historic buildings and the visitor center may have restricted access on weekdays.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile grassland habitat; pack out all trash to keep the area clear of debris.
