Dangerous Fire Conditions Could Have Urban Camping Plans Up In Smoke

Earlier this month, federal officials announced a plan to revitalize the campgrounds at Floyd Bennett Field, promising $10 million worth of developments to create the nation's largest urban campground, which may someday hold up to 600 campsites. But today comes word that all the new plans may be overlooking some basic safety concerns, like whether or not the Field's fire hydrants actually work.

The FDNY told the Post that more than half of the 100 hydrants at the Field either don't work, or don't have the water pressure necessary to put out fires. "It's insane," said environmentalist Ida Sanoff, adding "All you need is one out-of-control campfire or some boob camper flinging a lit cigarette." But that's okay! Because the National Parks Service says that if there does happen to be a giant fiery outburst, firefighters can just suck water of of the nearby Jamaica Bay (a plan the FDNY called "very impractical and too time-consuming."). The nearest firehouse is in the Rockaways, about a mile away over the Marine Parkway Bridge.

Unfazed by fire hazards? Sign up for a family camping night at the Field (which, for now, has 47 campsites), and remember: only you can prevent, ahem, urban campground fires.

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By Jamie Feldmar in News on June 27, 2011 3:10 PM

Comments [rss]

Barbara Starkweather

The fire danger can be cut considerably by banning campfires. New Jersey State Parks and Forests insist one use a backpacker stove, and I think it's that way in Delaware National Recreation Area. It doesn't seem to spoil anybody's fun, and the campsites are nicer because of it.

I'm sure the a**holes who can't "camp" without cutting trees and building huge fires don't like it, but I'd rather they went to the shore with Snooki and the gang anyway.

cr17

Anyone here been camping at any of the places near the city? Like the one up near Cold Spring? Horrifying. People blaring their radios in the middle of the night, spots that are mostly gravel, and they're all on top of one another.

600 sites? This might work if you're forced to park in the parking lot and NOT allowed to drive up to the spot because as it's been proven douchebags cannot live without their cars within 5 feet of themselves at all time. But should you be allowed to drive up to the site I can assure you that you will either be kept awake by inconsiderate assholes blaring the world's worst music, or will be entertained by the sight of cops kicking said douchebags out of the campgrounds. Ah - the great outdoors!

There are some nice places near the city, but I'd assume anyone who knows about them is keeping their mouth shut as not to spoil it.

LtWorf

There's been camping in Ally pond Park, even Flushing Meadows. This urban camping shit is not new.

& fire hydrants in a camp ground? For Christ's sake, grow some balls and learn how to rough it. That's why it's called CAMPING.