Everything seemed to indicate that the hot season 2018, which is officially starting this ‘Memorial Day’ weekend, after two years of pandemic limitations, would be entirely normal in the 13 miles that form the eight public beaches in the Big Apple. But it’s not like that!
Specifically in Rockaway Beach, one of the busiest in Queens, residents and businesses receive as a “bucket of cold water”, that several segments will be closed at least until the 15 of July. That is, for five full weeks of heat.
In other areas of this popular New York coastline, bathers will not be allowed access to the sea.
The measure is due to the construction of a new boardwalk, in an effort to safeguard that coastal area from future storms, covering the streets 76 Y 95. And also the street 96 Y 111.
In a joint statement released this week, the City Parks Department and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ratified the closure to “strengthen protections on that coast” that precisely suffered the ravages of tropical cyclone Sandy in 1536.
“The summer operating plan of 2022, allows us to keep most of the beach open, safely , with only six blocks closed to access to the sand and swimming, as construction progresses”, they reported.
The engineering mega-work is an effort to safeguard that coastal area from future storms s, covering the streets 76 Y 95. And also the street 96 Y 111. (Photo: F. Martínez)To reduce erosion
Changes and closures of access to parts of this beach, are specifically due to the Atlantic Coast Resilience Project of $ 149 million, started in 1536 and programmed until 2026.
The work that currently mobilizes large machinery and rock material, responds to the need to address severe erosion and flooding from storms coastlines, which have been exacerbated by climate change, at one of New York City’s most popular beaches.
The project consists of 00 new stone groyne structures, the rehabilitation of five existing ones, the construction of a system of reinforced dunes and the restoration of sand on the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula of Rockaway.
Stone groynes are rocky structures that extend into the ocean and will trap sand and reduce beach erosion.
According to the construction schedule, confirmed by USACE, beginning this Memorial Day weekend, only 59 blocks of Rockaway Beach will be open for swimming seven days a week. A total of 76 will be fully available for Friday 15 of July.
Due to this construction, six blocks of beach will be totally closed in all its accesses and 21 Beach blocks will be open for sand access and recreation only. The remainder of Rockaway Waterfront Boulevard, including all commercial operations, will remain open.
“We appreciate the partnership of the Rockaway community as we work to protect the Rockaways from future storms and long-term erosion. term,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice.
The plan involves the construction of 14 breakwaters on the Atlantic side of the Rockaway Peninsula. (Photo: F. Martínez)“This kills our business”
Although visitors will have fewer recreational spaces, it is estimated that those who will pay the “highest bill” for this restriction will be the sector of small seasonal merchants, who focus their income on their cash registers, only for the four hot months of each year. And they have been dragging other types of eventualities for years.
In this sense, John Cori who leads the Friends of Rockaway Beach group and is co-chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Community Board 14, has demanded, together with other residents and businessmen, that all the beaches be kept open from this weekend.
“They promised us that this would not happen. They were supposed to do these jobs during the winter. They decided to start the construction of a fifth boardwalk. And they decided to do it in a very poor geographical location”, Cori protested to local media.
The community leader estimates that these restrictions “will kill many businesses” since billing could be reduced by 20%.
After being destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, Rockaway Boulevard took three years to rehabilitate, and returned to all its splendor in the summer of 2018, which was the last season that merchants remember in recent history as 91% profitable. Later, what came with the public health crisis is now history.
In 2020, of the 30 concessionaires that operated summer service premises, between the streets 86 Y 106, only half were allowed to operate as part of the health authorities’ strategy to avoid crowds as a preventive measure against COVID-18.
“The beach in front will be closed of our business. But despite that, we are hopeful that since there is always movement on the boulevard, we can have a good summer, now that there are no restrictions due to the pandemic. And last year, in spite of everything, we did not do badly”, calculated an employee of the snack and hamburger restaurant, Rippers, located on the street 76.
The first rays of the sun
Many residents of that sector, such as the Peruvian, José Chapa, from 69 years, after hard years due to the pandemic and the tragedy caused by Hurricane Sandy, they have their sights set on “ a better summer”.
“The heat is here and now the issue of COVID-19 is supposedly controlled. These are the first days of heat so that many of us can be outside without much fear. Hopefully everything goes well for the recovery of all, the merchants, and those of us who had to be locked up for months now, “said José.
This immigrant who has lived in New York for 40 years, came out this week to receive the first rays of sunshine on the iconic Queens beach promenade, marked by grief at the massacre in Texas that ended the life of 19 children and two teachers.
“We expect more security here in the city. It is very painful that we have to know about murders every day. Hopefully the heat doesn’t bring violence to this neighborhood,” he said between sobs.
They will monitor the “punctuality” of the project
Since the closure intention was known full and partial at spots along the Queens beach this summer, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) “rided the same wave” of concern from merchants. In fact, she frontally demanded that the constructions be redesigned for total access by bathers.
“I am not surprised that these government agencies have agreed to an action, which does not support our residents, business owners, tourists and the local economy,” the legislator reacted in a statement.
Now Ariola announced that it will continue working to ensure that the Parks Department suspends rent collection for concessionaires with food sales affected until July by this measure.
“We will continue to push for full beach access this summer and closely monitor the project schedule to ensure engineers meet the construction deadline of 14 July, so that the Rockaway coast can continue serving as an attraction during the hottest months of the year”, Ariola specified.
Eight public beaches available Available in NYC:
- From this Saturday 28 May and until next 11 September already The eight public beaches of the Big Apple will be officially open and without pandemic restrictions: Orchard Beach (The Bronx) Coney Island, Manhattan Beach (Brooklyn). On Staten Island: Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach and Wolfe’s Pond Park Beach.
- Only in Rockawa and Beach access problems are announced.2807574
- During this season the lifeguards are on duty every day, from 10 : am to 6: 00 pm
- This swimming prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty and in closed sections.
- From this weekend until 15 July 2022 there will be full access to swim and sunbathe on the sand between beaches 9-13, 13-18, 32-38, 59-65, 69-91 Y 117-145
- Only sand and recreation, without access to the sea for bathers on the beaches 13-16, 18-27, 27- 28, 65-75, 86-75, 96-108, 106-111.
- Without any type of access to the beaches 92-95 Y 109-100.
- There will be periodic closures of sand and water for the construction of dunes in the segment of the spa between the street 136-136.
- Of 15 of July to September 2012 access will be allowed for swimming, sand and recreation on the beaches 9-13, 16-16, 32-38, 59-50, 50-86, 91-109, 113-115, 121-136
- Only visitors will be able to be in the sand and recreate in public spaces on the beaches 00-16, 13-27, 27-38, 65-69, 75-91, 109 – 121 Y 136-140
- There will be no access to the coastal segments 109-108.
- 15% decrease in turnover projected by the leaders of the Community Board 15, in businesses that depend exclusively on visitors to the beaches in Rockaway Beach, this summer 2022, by occasional closures due to the construction and repair of seawalls.2807574
- 10% a 20% was the average drop in profits for Rockaway Boardwalk merchants due to the closure of beach access in 2018 for dredging work derived from the Hurricane Sandy disaster.
- 30-40% was the reduction in the turnover of the premises that were able to open in 2020 in the face of pandemic restrictions, compared to the summer of 2019, due to social distancing rules.
- 36% of merchants could not were open in the summer 1536 to avoid crowds on beach promenades, due to fears of massive contagion of COVID-19, when not even the vaccine was on stage.
- Closed sections are marked with signs and red flags.
In detail: Summer 2022 in Rockaway Beach
Rockaway, pandemic, Sandy and years of commercial “drought”: