Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your concerns about the future of bike racing events at Floyd Bennett Field. The National Park Service (NPS) welcomes cyclists at Gateway National Recreation Area and values the many racing events that have occurred for so many years. In fact, there are miles of cycling paths available for visitors throughout Gateway. We view cycling as a healthy activity and a great way to explore and enjoy the park.

Unfortunately, while the Tuesday Night Races at Floyd Bennett Field are a well-loved tradition, we can no longer issue permits in the same way we have in the past.  Private ventures like cycling events, which charge participants membership and/or entry fees and which award prizes, are essentially conducting private business on NPS lands. The NPS allows this type of commercial activity, but only under the appropriate legal agreement.  In order to bring the event into alignment with NPS management regulations and policies, the event must therefore be managed under our regulations for commercial ventures. 

The change may seem dramatic, but Gateway and Aviator Sports & Events Center have taken a number of incremental steps to bring Floyd Bennett Field events into compliance in recent years. In 2017, Aviator’s concession agreement was amended to include the management of private events held on the historic runways at Floyd Bennett Field.  This kind of arrangement, where an authorized concessioner offers services to park visitors that the park does not provide directly, is common within the NPS. 

Under the agreement, Gateway and Aviator Sports are employing a uniform approach to permitting commercial ventures. No group has been singled out nor has any been exempted. Recently, Gateway and Aviator Sports worked successfully with two cycling organizations. Based on market research, costs for cycling events were calculated including the need for an on-site ambulance (as required under the concession contract), U.S. Park Police for traffic control, and general administrative oversight. The fee is in line with what is charged for similar events at NYC Parks.

Gateway would like to see the Tuesday Night Races at Floyd Bennett Field tradition continue. We hope you will understand that this tradition, like all others, must be managed fairly, legally, and in a manner that allows Gateway to fulfill its appropriate oversight role without draining resources from the rest of the park.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Brenda 

I haven't replied to Brenda yet, but begs these questions:
- where do we get a copy of the regulations for commercial ventures?
- details and examples of the uniform approach to permitting commercial ventures
- identify the two cycling organizations that the parks worked successfully with

Any other thoughts?