New York City's Public Beaches Open This Weekend

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, announces that the City's 8 public beaches will open for the season this Saturday, May 28, and remain open through Labor Day Weekend. Lifeguards will be on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited at all other times.

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, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe's Pond Park Beach on Staten Island.

"We want everyone to enjoy the beautiful sun and surf at New York City's public beaches this summer, but most importantly, we want you to be safe in and around open water," said Commissioner Silver. "Obeying lifeguards, and following our important water safety tips can help prevent future tragedies, and ensure that we have a fun and safe summer."

For the Bronx, this year's opening marks the 80th Anniversary of Orchard Beach, the only public beach in the borough. In addition to the beach's daily recreational opportunities, Orchard Beach hosts a number of exciting events and activities that New Yorkers and visitors can all take part in. On June 11 the Japanese Drum Group Taikoza will perform and beginning July 10, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will host the Orchard Beach Summer Concert Series which takes place on Sundays from 1 pm - 4 pm.

Just in time for beach season, beachgoers will be able to enjoy the newly reconstructed portion of Riegelmann Boardwalk between Brighton 15th and Coney Island Avenue. Along with the annual Mermaid Parade on June 18th, visitors to Coney will be able to dance the night away to rotating DJs or Salsa concerts on Saturdays beginning May 28th, run or walk a 5K with the Coney Island Alliance on July 23rd, and attend fun annual events like the volleyball tournament on August 6th and 7th and the sand sculpting contest on August 20th.

On Staten Island, residents and community members will enjoy the beautiful sun and surf at South Beach while able to take advantage of numerous exciting activities happening at the parks including hiking the Greenbelt, going salt water fishing with our Urban Park Rangers, visiting the Fantasy Shore Amusement Park, or joining one of our Ocean Breeze Summer Fitness classes right here on the beach.

This summer will see the continuous completion of the new, resilient Rockaway Boardwalk, with 80% of the length open by Memorial Day weekend and the rest expected to open in July. Complete construction is expected by the following summer. In addition to being NYC's largest swimming beach and home to the city's only designated surfing areas, Rockaway is also known for its varied food concessions along the boardwalk. NYC Parks will be adding to the fun this summer with an outdoor dance performance series, free fitness classes, waterfront festivals, and movies under the stars. The boardwalk will also host the second annual Poseidon Parade on September 17. Working with the local Community Board, NYC Parks has amended our rules to now allow biking on the boardwalk seven days a week and is adding new kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding areas at Beach 32nd Street and Beach 57th Street. A new surfing area between 110th and 111th Street will open once construction is complete.

The Health Department also offers a texting service where people can get real-time opening, closing and water quality information for the eight public beaches in New York City. People can simply text BEACH to 877-877 to find out if one or all of the City's public beaches are safe for swimming. With over 15 miles of public and private beaches accessible to New Yorkers, this texting service will help ensure that everyone's trip to the beach is a safe and healthy one.

NYC Parks outdoor pools will open on June 29. Parks will once again host free Learn to Swim lessons this summer for tots, children and adults, at public pools throughout the five boroughs. For additional information on the Learn to Swim program, as well as a list of all beach happenings this summer, please visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.