New Initiative Aims to Boost Jamaica Bay

New Yorkers will soon get the chance to escape the concrete jungle in a new and improved park near Kennedy Airport.

New York City and the federal government are working together to manage nearly 10,000 acres of parkland in and around Jamaica Bay.  Senior Regional Director of the National Parks Conservation Association, Alex Brash, says the plan aims to bring New Yorkers closer to nature.

"Not only will it come with the support and funds to do a lot of ecological work. In addition, it will also bring the wildlife of Jamaica Bay to the 18 million regional residents and 8.4 million New Yorkers," he said.

Jamaica Bay is home to many different types of birds, fish, and other creatures. Brash says the improvements to the area will make it a popular spot for New Yorkers.

"They'll be great visitors centers, the beaches will be filled," he said, "It'll be one of the city's, probably one of the nation's, greatest campgrounds."

The plan for Jamaica Bay is part of President Obama's Great Outdoors initiative.