Contact: Colleen Roche or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Congresswoman Susan Molinari today officially opened Staten Island's Fort Wadsworth National Park, New York City's newest national park. Fort Wadsworth is now part of the National Park Service's Gateway National Recreation Area, which encompasses sites on Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Peninsula, Staten Island and Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The Mayor also proclaimed today Fort Wadsworth Day in New York City.
"For more than two centuries, Fort Wadsworth has stood guard over New York's harbors," Mayor Giuliani said. "Today, this military fortress opens its gates to the public to serve a new role. From now on, generations of New Yorkers will have the opportunity to discover the scenic beauty of Fort Wadsworth Park. Schoolchildren, who previously learned about the Fort's historical significance from textbooks can now see first hand, how important Fort Tompkins and Battery Weed were to our fight for independence and freedom. I would like to thank Congresswoman Molinari, the National Parks Service and the Friends of Fort Wadsworth, for their work in transforming this facility."
"Fort Wadsworth, for the past two centuries, has been an integral part of our country's history and heritage," Congresswoman Molinari said. "When we first found out that the Fort Wadsworth was closing, we put together a plan to convert this fort into a national park. Through a Congressional Appropriation of $10 million we were able to jump start this transition effort. I have worked closely with Gateway and Superintendent Scott to insure that every dollar was put to its best use. It has taken us less than two years to get where we are today, dedicating the Visitor Center, is one of the prime examples of how the monies were put to use. I am proud to have been a part of this effort - as a Staten Islander who grew up with this fort and a member of Congress who fought hard to bring it to the public."
Joining Mayor Giuliani and Congresswoman Molinari at today's ribbon-cutting ceremony were Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari, State Senator Vincent Gentili, State Senator John Marchi, Assemblyman Robert Straniere, Kevin Buckley, General Superintendent for the Gateway National Recreation Area, Mary Gibson Scott, Staten Island Superintendent for the Gateway National Recreation Area and members of the Friends of Fort Wadsworth.
The inclusion of Fort Wadsworth into the Gateway National Recreation Area was mandated by the 1972 Congressional Enabling Legislation, which dictated that the Fort transfer to the National Park System when declared surplus by the Department of Defense. In September 1995, as part of the Federal government's base closure program, Fort Wadsworth was turned over to the Department of the Interior. For the past year and a half Park Service staff have converted the former military post to a National Park. It is estimated that the economic impact of the fort on Staten Island alone will be worth an estimated $65 million a year.
Fort Wadsworth National Park contains is home to a number of historic structures including 19th Century forts Battery Weed and Fort Tompkins. Tree-lined Mont Sec Avenue, known as "Officers' Row" is lined with well-preserved homes dating back to the 1870s. Battery Weed was completed in 1864 is one of only a few four-tiered granite forts built in the United States. When fully armed, the Battery had more than 100 Rodman Cannons trained on the Narrows, the one-mile entrance to New York Harbor. Fort Tompkins, completed in 1814, is a five-sided structure that defended Battery Weed from land attack. Its unique defense features a dry moat and an above ground camouflaged tunnel.
For further information on park programs, opening times or to make reservations, visitors should call the Fort Wadsworth ranger staff at (718) 354-4500.