Schumer: NYC's Gateway National Recreation Area Should Be More Accessible To New Yorkers & Tourists; Senator Urges Dept. Of Interior To Begin Top-to-Bottom Review That could Link Subway Stops With Bus Routes & More - Plan Could Boost Park's Visitors, Better Support After-School & Youth Programs

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Department of Interior (DOI) to work collaboratively with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City to help make Gateway National Recreation Area better accessible by public transit. Specifically, Schumer urged DOI to dedicate funds towards a comprehensive transportation plan to best connect Gateway Park with existing transportation infrastructure.

"Despite the fact that fact Gateway National Recreation Area is located in a densely populated area amongst an economically diverse community, the unique potential of this invaluable urban park is hamstrung by insufficient public access to all that it has to offer -- from beaches, to camping, to biking, to birding, to fishing, to just plain hanging out in a rare and wide-open space," said Senator Schumer. "The Department of Interior needs to make sure that kids and families of all economic abilities are able to experience Gateway and that's why I am strongly urging NPS to work alongside the MTA to develop a comprehensive transportation plan that will help better connect the park to neighboring communities."

Gateway is located in the most densely populated region in the country and could attract thousands upon thousands of visitors from New York alone, however, Schumer noted that it is difficult to get to by public transportation. Schumer said that a NPS bus route to the park would help New Yorkers better access all that Gateway has to offer the community. Schumer also noted that DOI should target expanded access to Gateway for after school programs, youth groups and other potential youth partnerships within the park.

Earlier this year, President Obama announced the "Every Kid in a Park" initiative, which aims to introduce America's youth and their families to public land and waters. The program coincides with the National park Service Centennial celebration happening in 2016. Schumer today said that better, expanded transportation options would help move forward this initiative by making sure all students can easily access Gateway National Recreation Area.

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