Fort Tilden
Pristine beaches and trails make this former military base in the Rockaways a hotspot for nature enthusiasts
Fort Tilden -- part of Gateway National Recreation Area -- was the most modern addition to the fortifications of New York Harbor intended to defend the city from attack by sea or air. Positioned on Rockaway Peninsula, its grounds include some of the most secluded beaches in New York and several of the former military buildings have been adapted into a vibrant center for the arts.
Established in 1917, Fort Tilden is named for Samuel Tilden, who served as Governor of New York and was the Democratic nominee for President in 1876. Through four decades the fort's defenses were upgraded with the technologically advanced weaponry of each succeeding generation, including smooth-bore cannons, sixteen inch naval rifles, and Nike Ajax and Hercules air defense missiles. Ultimately its weaponry became obsolete, and the fort was decommissioned as a military installation in 1974. It was then transferred to the control of the National Park Service.
Today the national park at Fort Tilden offers a mixture of past military structures and reclaimed natural areas. A walk through the fort includes many great spots to see wildlife in the successional maritime forest, along the Atlantic shore, and near the fort's freshwater pond. The observatory deck on top of Battery Harris East, a historic gun site, offers dramatic views of Jamaica Bay and New York Harbor, and is a great vantage point to spot migrating birds.
The former fort is now home to two local non-profit organizations dedicated to the arts. These groups have transformed abandoned military buildings into a haven for the arts and offer a variety of public programming through the year. The Rockaway Artists Alliance offers classes and exhibitions in their gallery spaces located in buildings T-6 and T-7. The Rockaway Theatre Company offers live theatre productions at the historic Post Theater.
