The Gateway National Recreation Area, in the Rockaways, is a peaceful stretch beach in contrast to the adjacent Jacob Riis Park. Patrolled by park rangers on horseback this area had permit access only, which helped it's return to a natural environment. Many haunting relics of Fort Tilden were still standing when I took these photos in 1974 the year that it became a National Park. This photo shows the concrete bunker, constructed in 1942, for two long gone 16" cannons installed to defend New York Harbor during World War II.
A rusted rifle range target still stands in this July 1974 photo from Fort Tilden.
