Conservancy Launched Campaign for Floyd Bennett Field
The initiative aims to fund the restoration of two historic aircraft hangars in Brooklyn.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Cultural
Live Poll
Do you support repurposing historic local buildings for community and arts programming in your area?
The Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy has introduced the Fifty for Floyd Bennett Field campaign to secure individual donations for the rehabilitation of historic Hangars 3 and 4. The launch coincided with a public arts festival that drew 2,200 attendees to the site.
Why it matters
This fundraising drive supports a larger $100 million partnership with the National Park Service to revitalize the historic area. The effort aims to build community backing for the long-term transformation of the site, which also features a new educational campus.
The recent festival featured 15 commissioned artworks created by 21 contemporary artists. The conservancy is soliciting individual donations between $5 and $500 to support the ongoing preservation efforts.
The players
Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy
This nonprofit organization works to protect and restore the parklands and wildlife habitats surrounding Jamaica Bay.
National Park Service
This federal agency manages the United States national park system, including the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Runway Green
This entity is a partner organization that has secured a long-term lease to develop an educational campus at the site.
The details
The arts festival highlighted the potential of the space through light and animation projections displayed on the exterior of the hangars. These structures are part of a broader development plan that includes a 60-year lease agreement recently signed by Runway Green for an educational campus.
Timeline
Floyd Bennett Field became part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in 1972.
Runway Green signed a 60-year lease for an educational campus earlier in 2026.
The Floyd Bennett Field Public Arts Festival occurred on October 3, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project follows the 1972 establishment of the Gateway National Recreation Area, which shifted the site from a decommissioned airfield to a public resource. The ongoing restoration reflects a growing trend of repurposing historic industrial infrastructure for cultural and educational utility.
Residents and park visitors can participate in the restoration by contributing donations through the conservancy's website. The ongoing development will eventually provide the public with new access to the restored hangars and the planned educational campus.
The takeaway
The campaign demonstrates how public art can be used to raise awareness for heritage conservation. Supporters can engage with the project's development by tracking future milestones regarding the site's architectural renewal.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in our New York City Cultural section.
More information
To view project plans and renderings, visit the view project plans and renderings official site.
Live Poll
Do you support repurposing historic local buildings for community and arts programming in your area?
