Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk

Parks Kicks Off Summer Beach Season In New York City

Friday, May 28, 2010
No. 38
http://www.nyc.gov/parks

Parks & Recreation announces that New York City’s beaches will open to the public this Saturday, May 29, with lifeguards on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times. Beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend.

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach in Staten Island. All City beaches are free to the public.

“With more than 14 miles of sand and water and nearly 8 million visitors last summer, New York City’s beaches provide New Yorkers and visitors a spectacular natural setting for free fun in the sun,” said Commissioner Benepe. “This summer, as always, we remind beach-goers to observe all beach rules and regulations, and most important, to observe common sense for yourself and your children and swim only where and when a lifeguard is on duty. Have fun at the beach!”

While enjoying yourself at the beach this summer, Parks reminds New Yorkers to dispose of their litter in the many trash receptacles that are provided. Each summer day, Parks picks up about 1,300 cubic yards of litter dropped on the ground or left behind at our beaches, ballfields and picnic areas. New Yorkers are encouraged to “bag it at the beach” by disposing of their litter and helping to keep our city lean, green and clean!

Orchard Beach in the Bronx has a lot to offer this summer. The Urban Park Rangers open the Orchard Beach Nature Center on Memorial Day weekend and will have touch-tanks, sea creatures and fun activities for children at the site, Wednesdays through Sundays, throughout the season. They will also host “Wild Playground” free nature-play sessions at Pelican Playground at section 5 from June 30 through August 20, Wednesdays through Sundays, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For those more adventurous in spirit, join the Rangers and camp under the stars, learn how to pitch a tent, and go for a nightly nature walk at Orchard Beach at a free, family camping event this summer on June 25, July 30 and August 27. Registration is required at Parks’ website, www.nyc.gov/parks.

Another fun summer is in store at Brooklyn’s Coney Island, with the return of Friday Night Fireworks on June 18, the Mermaid Parade on June 19, and the annual sand sculpting competition on July 25. For the second consecutive year, the Ringling Bros. Circus will set up near the boardwalk at West 21st Street with shows from June 17 to September 6. A new amusement attraction will make its Coney Island debut with the grand opening of Luna Park on May 29. The New York Aquarium and Brooklyn Cyclones games at MCU Park are among the many other activities for a fun day at Coney Island.

Visitors can also enjoy Rockaway Beach in Queens this summer with music, surfing contests and skateboard demos at Rockstock and Barrels on June 12. New Yorkers can also get fit at the beach with Rockaway’s yoga classes, walks and Dancing under the Stars, all on select days in June, July and August. You can also check out the annual sandcastle contest on July 25.

Parks is restoring our boardwalks using sustainable materials. At Rockaway Beach, the boardwalk was renovated with scored concrete at Beach 23rd to 27th Streets, Beach 44th to 59th Streets, and Beach 75th to 81st Streets. At Coney Island, we are renovating the boards from West 10th Street to Stillwell Avenue using wood decking, and are using scored concrete from Ocean Parkway to Brighton 1st Street and from West 33rd Street to West 37th Street. A concrete sub-structure ensures that we are, in total, reducing the amount of hardwoods by 90%.

New Yorker can sign up some of the free aquatics programs or summer activities offered this year by logging on BeFitNYC, the Parks Department search engine for all your fitness opportunities at www.nyc.gov/parks/befitnyc, or call 311.

For additional information on all beach happenings this summer, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.