Jamaica Bay Park natural area

Jamaica Bay Park is located within the Bayswater section of the Rockaways. It is comprised of three parcels, totaling 147 acres. The three parcels are adjacent to Nassau County, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Bayswater Point State Park. Two of the three parcels are not accessible to the public. The park is also surrounded by the National Park Service’s Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge, part of Gateway National Park. The park primarily consists of land under water, salt marsh, and coastal scrub shrub habitat. The wetlands provide a unique environment for both wildlife preservation and urban recreation. A favorite stop for migratory waterfowl, the area is an integral part of the larger, regional ecosystem. One of New York City's most extraordinary natural resources, Jamaica Bay Park remains highly undeveloped.