Aviator Sports complex at Floyd Bennett Field

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Jamaica Bay Unit Home Page | Floyd Bennett Field Home Page

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While early aviation historical sites are still preserved at Floyd Bennett Field, most of the airfield is now home to various sports facilities and other recreational attractions that appeal only to local residents.

AVIATOR SPORTS

Entrance to Aviator Sports at Floyd Bennett Field

Aviator Sports is a private company that leased four of the historic airplane hangars at Floyd Bennett Field—Hangars 5 through 8—and then renovated and converted them into an indoor sports facility in 2003. The four hangars were in two large buildings with an open-air gap between them. Aviator Sports enclosed the gap with a modern structure for a restaurant, pro shop, games, etc., while the hangars were used for ice rinks, gymnasium, and sport courts. Overall, there is 175,000 square feet of indoor space. The group also leased additional land outside and built a football and soccer field. While the sports facilities are of little use to tourists, the restaurant and bar may appeal to all visitors

Aviator Sports occupies Hangars 5 through 8 at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

Facilities include:

• Two NHL-sized ice rinks – seating for 2,000
• 20,000 square foot multipurpose Field House, which houses a 10,000-square-foot hardwood floor for basketball, volleyball, indoor tennis and special activities and a 10,000-square-foot indoor turf field for soccer, football, fitness training, classes and special activities
• 15,500-square-foot Gymnastics Center
• 5,000-square-foot Sports Performance Center
• 35-foot tall rock climbing wall
• Arcade
• Food court
• Indoor and Outdoor (open seasonally) Sports Bar
• Full catering and food service
• Large corporate meeting and private events rooms
• Two state-of-the-art full-sized outdoor turf fields for soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey – bleacher seating
• FREE parking for over 2,000 cars

Aviator Sports football field at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

REMOTE CONTROL AIRPLANE AIRFIELD

Pennsylvania Avenue Radio Control Society (PARCS) members fly their RC aircraft at an airstrip near the North Forty Natural Area of Floyd Bennett Field. The club has operated here since the 1960s. For more information visit the PARCS website.

Remote control plane airfield at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

ARCHERY RANGE

Archery at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

An archery range for compound and traditional bows is located on the southeast side of Floyd Bennett Field. It is open from February 1st through November 30th. An archery facility permit is required to use the range, and these are available for sale from March 1st through April 30th at Recreation.gov. There is a limited number of permits available. For more details, visit the National Park Service’s Archery web page for Gateway National Recreation Area.

I talked to a member who told me that the place is packed on the weekends, so he only comes during the week. I was there on a Thursday morning and there were only two people practicing at the range.

Archery range at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Floyd Bennett Field Gardens Association runs a community garden at the airfield. Members can apply for a 10’ x 20’ plot of land on which they can grow their own garden. For more information, see the Floyd Bennett Field Gardens Association website.

Community Garden at Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area

AVIATOR GOLF CENTER

Located on the other side of Flatbush Avenue from the airfield is a golf driving range and a put-put course that is also run by Aviator Sports.

Aviator Sports Golf Center at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn

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