Very disappointed with the management of Fort Totten Pool. We previously called and spoke with them to see if our summer camp could use their facilities. One of our staff members even went ahead of time to ask in person. The people we spoke with said it was okay and we planned our field trip day to go to the pool. Today, we arrived with around 50 campers and near 20 staff members to use their pool in the hot summer sun. We tried to go in and they said they would not let us in because they did not let camps in. They even said they would not let us in as individual families. It seemed like they went out of their way to deny us access, saying they would only allow 1 child per adult, maybe 2. High 80 degrees with so many children and adults denied access despite verbal permission before our trip. We are a local organization and this was extremely unprofessional and frustrating.

A beautiful place to spend a weekend day. the only downside is the traffic on the way to and from the park. Fort Tottem itself is fun to walk, see and read the history. Yet the park itself is a joy. you can have an easy 2.5-3 mile walk around (easy, stroller and wheelchair accessible) and see green, sea and turn-of--the-century buildings. Parking and entrance is free.

At this time of year the partly built fort is not open, albeit an individual mentioned something about rangers as guides, but we did not see activity. We circumvented the area between the museum and the locked gate near the waterside entrance to the fort. To be fair, the reason for the high rating was the relatively empty grounds. We passed maybe a dozen or so people during our sojourn. Coastguard and other personnel were mostly in their buildings. There were mounted explanatory signs posted at the sidewalk for various buildings.. many were in the area we did not walk so another visit is due. We took a break on benches in the park area facing the water. It was a great getaway and a gem of open grounds in this highly populated area. It was my first visit since following the debate when the military vacated say half or so of the fort in the 1980’s. Fortunately, it did not become a condominium complex or a private school.

We took a youth group to do an evening group the past Fall. It is pleasant, and relaxing. The youth were so happy that they took a lot of silly poses; afterwards we went for ice cream.

I recently moved back to Bayside, NY. I remember Fort Totten but was not aware that there was a park over there! I took a walk over there and explored a little bit and was not disappointed. Saw a pair of bald eagles and peregrine falcon my first visit. Went back over there and found a beautiful pond with lots of waterfowl! Definitely worth the visits!