Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, 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.

"New York City’s beaches are in great shape, and we look forward to a fun and safe summer," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "We remind beach-goers to observe all beach rules and regulations, carefully monitor children at all times, and especially to never go in the water when there is not a lifeguard on duty."

The kickoff festivities began on Wednesday, May 24 at South Beach in Staten Island with Mayor Bloomberg and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro in attendance. On Thursday, May 25, Coney Island in Brooklyn was celebrated with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz in attendance. Friday, May 26 was a beach opening doubleheader. The day began at Rockaway Beach in Queens with Council Member Joseph Addabbo, State Senator Malcolm Smith and State Assembly Member Audrey Pheffer in attendance, and concluded at Orchard Beach in the Bronx with Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion in attendance.

Over the past four years, Parks & Recreation has spent $40 million on improvements to New York City’s beaches, and there is an additional $28 million worth of ongoing improvements. In the Bronx, a new lifeguard station is being completed to accompany the recently renovated main pavilion at Orchard Beach. South Beach on Staten Island is home to a new gazebo, shade pavilion and restored bathhouse, while Midland Beach boasts a new pier extending from the boardwalk into the Lower Bay of the New York Harbor. At Rockaway Beach in Queens, the City opened a new ocean-side skate park and playground in 2005, along with the City's first surfing beach. In Brooklyn, Parks is installing 95 historic boardwalk lights and will be welcoming professional volleyball to Coney Island for the first time this summer. Parks is also in process of lighting the famous Parachute Jump thanks to $1 million allocated by Borough President Markowitz.

The Daily Plant is pleased to announce the appointment of Jill Weber as Administrator of the Rockaways.

Jill began her Parks career 26 years ago, serving as an environmental analyst, horticultural intern, Riverside Park horticulturist, Old Nursery supervisor, and Bronx PRM where she managed landscape operations, volunteer programs and a variety of districts.

In November, 1993, Jill was hired as Director of the PACT program, Parks’ first venture into welfare to work. She has been at the helm of our welfare initiatives ever since. Jill has served as Chief of POP since 2003, servicing about 2,800 former welfare recipients and presiding over the largest transitional employment program in the United States.

We wish her well in her new position.