Dear Friends of Sandy Hook,

What a glorious "local summer" we've been having on Sandy Hook as we continue to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit as a National Park.

We are grateful to the 1,000+ people who came out for the Beach Concert Bash on September 10 and all of the supporting businesses and individual sponsors. It was a spectacular day!

This Sunday, October 2, we will be back at Lot E to cheer on runners in the Jersey Shore Half Marathon race, hosted by the Shore Athletic Club with The Sandy Hook Foundation named as this year's charity partner. 

Our friends at Gateway remind us that as we trade beach towels for blankets, "many plants have already given up their vibrant spring flowers for a delicious array of fruits. Early fall at Sandy Hook provides some unique varieties when beach plums all over Sandy Hook become ripe and ready to harvest. These miniature plums are deep purple in color and tart in flavor. The plums can be made into beach plum jam, a little-known delicacy prepared by dedicated foragers all over the New England coast. Another Sandy Hook delight, the rose hip, requires a little more patience. A perfectly ripe rose hip is an elusive delight. Rose hips should be picked directly after the first light frost of the year; wait for a heavy frost, and your harvesting window will close."

Enjoy Sandy Hook, it's your park in all seasons!

The Staff and Board of Trustees of the Sandy Hook Foundation

THANK YOU to Supporters of The Sandy Hook Foundation's Benefit Beach Concert Bash!

Special thanks to the Moroccan Sheepherders, The Eddie Testa Band, and The Danjos and Friends for outstanding beach entertainment.

Thanks to Red Horse Rumson by David Burke for the perfect Beer Garden on the Beach.

Let's not forget Sandy Hook's food trucks Maui Bowls, Sandy Hook Coffee, Smash Burger and Carvel Ice Cream!

HUGE THANKS to Our Generous Sponsors

Pat and Bill Alcaro

Betsy and Bob Barrett

Karin Busichio

Elizabeth Ege

Peggy and Rich Eittreim 

Elizabeth and Dick Lilleston

John and Gail Waltz

SAHO Beach Rentals

Sherman Jewelers, Atlantic Highlands

Finally, a giant shout out to our partner, the

National Park Service at Sandy Hook. 

We couldn't do it without you.

National Park Service staff at the ready, with SHF's Jane Preziosi

A perfect day for music and dancing on the beach

Volunterers, staff, and NPS personnel.  l. to r. Bob Barrett, Jane Preziosi, Ronnie Acerra, Betsy Barrett, Bill Alcaro, 

The Danjos and Friends opened the show

Local summer ...

Trustees of The Sandy Hook Foundation volunteering at the event. l. to r. Brian Malley, Rich Eittreim (Secretary), Patricia Alcaro (President), Ellen Bollinger, CJ Gutch

Sponsors' custom painted surf boards line the stagefront

John O'Neill, SH Concert Music Manager, Pete McCarthy, Sandy Hook Unit Manager, and Laurie Bratone, Director of Development for The Sandy Hook Foundation

Select photos by David Hawkins

Around the Park ...

Visitors to Sandy Hook will appreciate new directional signage leading people to the hydration station near Lot M. Additional signage also guides users of the Multi Use Path to bike repair stations.

Jersey Shore Half Marathon Is This Sunday on Sandy Hook. It's not too late to sign up!

Join the Race and Support The Sandy Hook Foundation as Official Charity Partner

RACE REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK-UP*

Saturday October 1, 2022

11 AM – 2 PM*

Road Runner Sports in Shrewsbury, NJ

Day-Of Schedule

9:00 AM – Half Marathon Start

9:10 AM - 2 Mile Start

10:15 AM - Enjoy complimentary refreshments!

11:15 AM – Awards

For Pre-Registrants

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM – Pre-registration bib + shirt pick up in LOT E, Sandy Hook

RACE DAY REGISTRATION ONLY

Does not apply to pre-registered runners

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2022

7:00 - 8:15 AM

Race day registration is available at Lot E on Race Day for $95 per person. Venmo or credit card only (no cash or checks). Race day registration closes at 8:15 AM.

The Sandy Hook Foundation is pleased to be named as the official Charity Partner of the 2022 Jersey Shore Half Marathon scheduled for October 2 on Sandy Hook and produced by the Shore Athletic Club, (Shore A.C.). The Foundation will be present on race day if participants would like to make a donation. For more information about The Sandy Hook Foundation, please email info@sandyhooknj.org, visit the website at www.sandyhooknj.org, or call 732-291-7733.

For questions or more information about the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, contact race coordinator Erin O’Neill. Both groups look forward to seeing you at the beach on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

The Sandy Hook Foundation Appoints

Peter S. Izzo to Its Board of Trustees

The Sandy Hook Foundation welcomes Peter S. Izzo (Pete) to its Board of Trustees. As a member of the board, Mr. Izzo will be responsible for advancing resources and efforts of the Foundation and supporting its mission to enhance the visitor experience at Sandy Hook.

"His business experience as a private wealth manager at Merrill Lynch, combined with his unique local perspective, will strengthen our role within the community and enhance our partnership with the National Park Service,” says Patricia Alcaro, President of the Board.

“Given its resources, Sandy Hook provides unique opportunities for a variety of activities in a safe and healthy environment that is our national park. We are so fortunate to have a national treasure like Sandy Hook in our backyard. My family enjoys nature, and we feel strongly about contributing our time and effort to make Sandy Hook the best it can be, both for families today and for generations to come. For that reason, I am honored to participate in The Sandy Hook Foundation as a new member of the board, and I look forward to helping further its mission to protect, preserve, and strengthen Sandy Hook’s natural and cultural resources,” says Pete, who is a Monmouth County native and lives in Rumson with his wife and two young children. Welcome, Pete!

October Programs in the Park

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours

Tours are first-come, first-served. Children must be 48 inches tall to climb the tower. Lighthouse tour sign-ups start at 12:30PM in the 1883 Keeper’s Quarters. Grounds and video in adjacent barn are always open.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday

1 pm - 3:30 pm

Call (732) 872-5970 for more information.  

Sandy Hook Visitor Center (Lighthouse Keepers Quarters) & Park Store

Visit the lighthouse keepers quarters exhibits on  New Jersey lighthouses, a rotating art exhibit, and visit the park store.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday

10 AM – 4 PM  

Call (732) 872-5970 for more information

Conservation Photography 

Brush up on your photography skills and get a different perspective on nature with a ranger. Participants will learn photography techniques used in conservation efforts and visit different locations at Sandy Hook to get a unique nature photo. Bring your own digital camera if you have one. The park will have cameras for loan for those that need them.  

Saturday, October 1  

10AM – 12PM, Beach Plaza E

Fort Hancock Days: Battery  

Gunnison/New Battery Peck in World War II 

Join the Army Ground Forces Association and the National Park Service as we commemorate the formal renaming of the “Fortifications of Sandy Hook” to “Fort Hancock” in October 1895. Volunteers from the Army Ground Forces Association uniformed as World War II era Coast Artillery soldiers will bring Battery Gunnison/New Peck and its 6-inch guns to life as they were in October 1943. Several major restoration projects have been completed since the last Fort Hancock Days event in October 2019. These include restoration of the shell hoist for Gun #1, balancing the guns to elevate and depress as designed, chemical warfare system, and the powder magazine has been reorganized with authentic racks for the 300 cans. Learn more about AGFA’s restoration work at http://armygroundforces.org/ restoration.

Sunday, October 9

No reservations required.

12 PM – 4:30 PM, Battery Gunnison

Colonel Shawn Welch, AGFA

Nike Missile Radar Site Tours

Guided tour of the Nike Integrated Fire Control (IFC) Area will allow you to see the inner workings where nuclear armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided during the Cold War defense of the New York metropolitan area. While taking a guided tour of this one-time top secret missile site, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who worked on the Cold War era Nike Air Defense System. For more information visit: ny56nike.weebly.com. No reservations required.  

Sunday, October 9  

Saturday, October 29 

Saturday, November 12 

12 PM – 4 PM, Nike Missile Radar Site, Parking Lot L @ Horseshoe Cove  

The Sandy Hook Foundation has supported the NIKE missile program with funding for transportation of missiles and an authentic launcher to Sandy Hook

Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey

The Sandy Hook Light is one of 10 New Jersey land-based lighthouses, three life saving stations, and a museum along the Atlantic coastline and Delaware Bay open for tours this weekend. This weekend of fun and exploration will help raise funds for the continued preservation, education, and restoration of these historic structures. For more information, visit www.lighthousechallengenj.com or Facebook: Lighthouse Challenge of NJ. 

Saturday, October 15, and 

Sunday, October 16

8 AM – 6 PM, Sandy Hook Lighthouse

SAVE the DATE

Stars of Sandy Hook 

Join S.T.A.R. Astronomy of Red Bank and a  park ranger to view the night skies. Saturn &  Jupiter, the Andromeda Galaxy, the smallest  constellation - Sagitta, and the Dolphin will  

be in the sky for viewing, as well as other  constellations and objects. Bring binoculars  and/or telescopes and join The Sandy Hook Foundation, program funder, the NPS, and S.T.A.R. Astronomy professionals for this incredible night sky viewing opportunity.

Friday, October 28  

7 PM – 9:30 PM

Beach Plaza @ Lot E   

The Sandy Hook Foundation, a designated

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the Official Friends Group of the

National Park Service at Sandy Hook.

We rely on your support and every donation is meaningful.

Please, consider your contribution today.