62 
Jamaica Bay - the last large undeveloped natural area 
in New York City. While not appropriate for mass 
recreation, the bay is, despite pollution, an ecolog- 
ical treasure. Its value for biological research, 
environmental education study, and just enjoying wild- 
life can scarcely be overestimated. The Rand Corpora- 
tion has undertaken a three-year study on the effects 
of pollution on the bay environment and the National 
Academy of Sciences is beginning a study on the effects 
of expansion of Kennedy Airport on the bay environment. 
Great Kills - located on Staten Island, this underdevel- 
oped city park contains 4 miles of beach and a boat basin. 
This unit, when developed, would be able’ to serve 54,000 
swimmers, campers, picnickers, fishermen, and other 
pleasure seekers. 
Hoffman-Swinburne - two small islands off Staten Island 
at the entrance to Upper New York Harbor. These will be 
converted by sanitary landfill to a single island that 
would be an inviting stopover for Gateway ferries. 
Equipped with cafes, snackbars, picnic grounds, and 
promenades, this unit would provide an exceptional van- 
tage point of viewing the lights and seagoing ships of 
one of the world's busiest harbors. 
The National Park Service-Bureau of Outdoor Recreation feasi- 
bility study 2! on establishing the Gateway National Recreation 
Area took into consideration pollution threats in the New York 
Bight. A summary of the conclusions in the report follows: 
1. To date no connection between ocean disposal of sewage 
sludge and water pollution at the sites of the proposed Gateway 
National Recreation Area or at any other beaches surrounding the 
New York Bight has been demonstrated. However, much more study 
would be required before any firm conclusion would be warranted. 
2. Other sources of pollution have, without question, affected 
the quality of some of the beaches in the area of the proposed 
Gateway National Recreation Area. Some beaches in New York and 
New Jersey, not part of the proposed Gateway Area, are closed to. 
swimming and others are considered marginal. 
Si 
= Gateway National Recreation Area--A proposal. U.S. Department 
of the Interior, 1968 
39 
