NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue announced earlier this week that the City’s eight public beaches are open for swimming effective Saturday, May 27, and will remain open through Sunday, Sept. 10. Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited at all other times.

 

“Our city’s waterfront is a vital part of summer for New Yorkers,” said Donoghue. “It’s a place to cool off, kick back, and relax, and we’re committed to making sure that all of our beaches are clean, safe, attractive destinations. There’s so much to do at our beaches, from silent discos in the Bronx to new parkland and playgrounds in the Rockaways, and we’re so excited to welcome back New Yorkers and visitors for another season of fun!”

 

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 Beach on Staten Island.

 

Orchard Beach, The Bronx’s sole public beach, was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York City” when it was created in the 1930s. Today, it remains a family friendly destination for summer fun, and will be welcoming visitors for swimming on May 27! This year, Parks will be hosting a series of fun, family-friendly events including movie nights, a silent disco, and a drive-in movie. With the $87.6 million renovation of the historic, landmarked Orchard Beach Pavilion underway, Parks is investing in the future of Orchard Beach as a fun, safe, and beautiful summer destination for generations of beachgoers to come.

 

Parks officials said they are excited to continue Parks’ free sunscreen program with 56 dispensers located at all eight beaches. Through the program, funded by the IMPACT Melanoma Foundation in The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and by Episcopal Health Services in the Rockaways, New Yorkers can protect themselves from long hours in the sun by easily applying the provided SPF 30 sunscreen. The foundation will also be providing sun safety information throughout the summer at select locations.

 

“Episcopal Health Services is proud to support the NYC Parks and Impact Melanoma in this important community initiative” says Jerry Walsh, CEO, Episcopal Health Services. “As the Rockaway’s only hospital, the health and wellness of our community is our number one priority. By making sunscreen available to those enjoying the boardwalk and the beach this summer, we hope to limit exposure to harmful UV rays and ultimately decrease risk of developing melanoma.”

 

Meanwhile, IMPACT Melanoma executive director, Deb Girard, said, “In 2022, IMPACT reached over 3.3 million people with Practice Safe Skin, the free community sunscreen program. Use of sunscreen along with hats, protective clothing and sunglasses is your best bet for limiting the harmful rays of the run. Did you know that almost all skin cancer/melanoma is almost totally preventable with good sun protective behavior?”

 

The City’s health department is responsible for beach health and safety surveillance, and routine water quality monitoring. Agency officials said they regularly test the water quality and monitor wet weather conditions near the City’s beaches to make sure it is safe for swimming. They said when water is polluted from excessive rain runoff, sewage or other pollution, it can pose health risks to swimmers and beachgoers. If necessary, they said easy-to-read, water quality advisory and closure signs will be posted at beaches to ensure that all beachgoers are aware of any health or safety risks.

 

For more information on health department sampling results, water quality information, and to find out if there are any advisories or closures before heading to the beach, the public can visit nyc.gov/health/beach or call 311.

 

Beachgoers can also sign up for “Know Before You Go,” a free text service in English and Spanish that informs New Yorkers if public beaches are open, or closed due to water quality issues. New Yorkers can text “BEACH” or “PLAYA” to 55676 to get the status of any of the City’s eight public beaches.

 

NYC Parks outdoor pools will open on Wednesday, June 29, 2023.