Fort Totten Park

About this place:

Take your pup on a walk around a preserved Civil War Fortress! This park offers plenty of space for relaxation, as well as learning plenty of US History along the way! The NYPD, FDNY, and US Army utilize parts of the park for offices and training, they are not open to the public.

 

The park is open every day, but check the Visitor’s Center schedule before you go! Access to the Water Battery is available when the Center is open.

 

Please note: there is no parking inside this park, there is a parking lot is just outside the gates.

 

Fun Facts/Know Before you Go:

US History: Plans for the fortress were initially prepared by Capt. Robert E Lee in 1857, construction began in 1862. Originally called the Fort at Willets Point, it was named after the Willets family that had previously owned the land.

 

US History: Once the home of the Engineer School of Application, this property saw the development of underwater minefields, which would remain an important element through WWII. The school worked with the electric, self propelled Sims torpedo, partly designed by Thomas Edison.

 

US History: During WWII, Fort Totten operated as the HQ for the anti-aircraft portion of the Eastern Defense Command.

 

US History: During the Cold War, the Fort was an air defense site for Project Nike, as well as HQ for the 66th Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion & 41st AAA Fun Battalion.