FALL 2025 NEWSLETTER

As the uncertainty of the government shutdown continues, we do not want to lose sight of the good things that have been happening with the Sandy Hook Foundation and on Sandy Hook. All outdoor areas of the park remain open, and fall is a great time to explore the national park in our backyard. Please read our statement about recreating responsibly at Sandy Hook.

Sandy Hook, and all national parks, are our nation's shared treasures. Right now, they need our support. These places are ours to protect. Come on out and discover your reason why parks matter to you.

National Park Friends Groups: Why They Matter

Free programming funded by SHF

SHF Volunteers at Beach Bash Concert

Annual Friends Alliance Meeting in St. Louis. A gathering park partners to share ideas and strategies to best support our parks.

Panelist from breakout session discussion on career development for next generation of park stewards.

National Park Friends Groups, like the Sandy Hook Foundation, are officially recognized partners of the National Park Service (NPS) that support individual park sites across the country. These nonprofit organizations act as extensions of the park community, and the NPS depends on these partnerships to help fulfill its mission of preserving America's natural and cultural treasures now, and for future generations.

According to the NPS, Friends Groups provide “a vehicle for citizens’ passion about parks,” turning that passion into stewardship, community involvement, and lasting support. With federal budgets tightening, NPS staffing down more than 15% over the past decade, and visitation surpassing 325 million annually, these partnerships are more vital than ever.

Friends Groups do more than raise funds, they bring people together. They recruit volunteers, host programs, increase awareness, and connect communities to the parks they love.

Here at Sandy Hook, our partnership with NPS, established in 1989, has led to visible results - from historic restorations to community programming to partnerships within the park - we remain committed to our mission of protecting and preserving our park while enhancing the visitor experience.

That partnership is also a source of resilience. During the current shutdown, while other historic buildings remain closed, SHF continues to serve the community by keeping the Lifesaving Station open for special events, including the recent Jersey Shore Half Marathon and the upcoming Lighthouse Challenge on October 18–19th.

As federal appropriations continue to lag behind public demand, Friends Groups are essential to ensuring that our parks, and the connections they inspire, continue to thrive. Please get involved and support SHF today.

VOLUNTEER WITH SHF

DONATE TO SHF

Fort Hancock: A Way Forward

Arial view of historic Fort Hancock

Community members at Mule Barn

Congressman Frank Pallone and SHF Board Chair, Pete Izzo.

Earlier this fall, the Sandy Hook Foundation hosted a meeting at the Mule Barn Tavern to share a renewed vision for Fort Hancock’s future, built on preservation, partnership, and purpose. Community members and elected officials gathered to explore ideas for a path toward revitalizing this historic landmark.

The presentation reviewed past efforts, lessons learned, and introduced a new vision for adaptive reuse, restoring Fort Hancock’s historic buildings for modern park visitors while emphasizing public access. Success stories such as Cavallo Point at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the rehabilitation of Hangars 3 and 4 at Floyd Bennett Field by our sister organization, the Jamaica Bay–Rockaway Park Conservancy, illustrate how adaptive reuse can successfully breathe new life into historic sites.

The National Park Service has allocated resources that support building stabilization, an essential first step. Planning and ideas for step two, the “what’s next,” are taking shape and are guided by the goal of creating public space for all visitors, a destination where history meets the horizon.

New Stop on Sandy Hook for the
2025 Lighthouse Challenge

We’re excited to share that the Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station No. 2 is now an official stop for the 2025 Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey, taking place October 18-19th. This means Sandy Hook now has two stops on the route, alongside our iconic Sandy Hook Lighthouse.

Built in 1894, the Lifesaving Station is a beautifully preserved example of maritime history and a cornerstone of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore Sandy Hook’s rich heritage and see this historic site up close.

For details on all stops, hours, and activities, click the button below to visit the official Lighthouse Challenge website.

MORE INFO ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE

Save the Dates:
SHYP SantaCon and Photography Show & Sale

2024 SantaCon Beach Clean Up & Bar Crawl

SHF supporter and photographer, Dave Hawkins, in front of his display in 2024 photography show at the LSS.

Mark your calendars for two festive events this December!

SHYP SantaCon Beach Clean Up & Bar Crawl – December 6

The Sandy Hook Young Professionals (SHYP) invite everyone, young and old, to join their 2nd annual SantaCon Beach Clean Up and Bar Crawl. Combine giving back with some holiday fun as you help keep our beaches beautiful and celebrate the season. Learn more and register here.

Holiday Photography Show & Sale at the Lifesaving Station – December 11–14th

We’re thrilled to bring back the Holiday Photography Show & Sale for a second year! Following last year’s enthusiastic response, the Lifesaving Station will once again be transformed into a seasonal gallery showcasing incredible local talent.

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 11th – ticketed event (tickets will go on sale soon!)
Public Open House: Friday, December 12th – Sunday, December 14th – free and open to all

Photographers interested in participating can register and find full details here.

If you’d like to sponsor the show, please contact Jill Sullivan at jsullivan@sandyhooknj.org.