WHAT: Gateway National Recreation Area has reopened almost all of its 26,000 acres to the visiting public.
* Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands, N.J., has reopened to visitors with the exception of Gunnison Beach, which is still flooded and unsafe to visit. Other Sandy Hook beaches are fine. Seastreak has resumed taking visitors to Sandy Hook. For information on the commercial ferry, see http://www.seastreak.com
* After extensive work to move sand out of the historic bathhouse and off the boardwalk, Jacob Riis Park in Queens reopened on Friday, September 2. For information on the commercial ferry to Riis Landing, see http://www.newyorkbeachferry.com/
* Fort Tilden in Queens is still closed. Access to Fort Tilden is severely limited due to flooding on Shore Road and erosion on the beach area.
* All areas of Gateway on Staten Island (Fort Wadsworth, Miller Field, Great Kills Park) have reopened to visitors. Water quality levels have returned to normal levels; swimming is permitted.
WHERE: Gateway National Recreation Area is a national park spanning 26,000 acres across two states-New York and New Jersey-and three New York City boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
WHY: Hurricane Irene, coupled with high tide, had a major impact on the beach areas at Gateway's three units: Sandy Hook, Staten Island and Jamaica Bay.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
