Jamaica Bay Park

Mott Basin to the City Line

Queens, 11096, 11430, 11691

Jamaica Bay is an 18,000-acre wetland estuary surrounded by the Rockaway Peninsula to the South, Brooklyn to the West, and Queens to the East. Comprising an area almost equal to the size of Manhattan, the bay consists of numerous islands, a labyrinth of waterways, meadowlands, and two freshwater ponds. The wetlands provide a unique environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. Enclosed by the Rockaway Peninsula and protected from the Atlantic Ocean, the region currently hosts over 325 species of birds, 50 species of butterflies, and 100 species of finfish. A favorite stop for migratory waterfowl, the area is an integral part of the larger, regional ecosystem.

A New Partnership with the National Park Service

On July 17, 2012, the City of New York, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service signed an unprecedented agreement to cooperatively manage Jamaica Bay’s 10,000 acres of federal and City-owned public parkland. Under the agreement, City and federal agencies will jointly promote visitation, recreation, education programs, and scientific research, creating a new “jewel in the crown” of the national and City park systems.This innovative partnership will better connect surrounding communities to the natural beauty and history of Jamaica Bay.

Jamaica Bay Science and Resilience Center

The City of New York and the National Park Service are seeking partners to establish a top-tier center to promote the understanding of science and resilience in the urban ecosystem and coastal communities.

Download the Request for Expressions of Interest

Download the Process Update, January 10