Another steamy summer is happening in NYC, and there are several public beaches for residents to cool off and have fun. Remember to apply sunscreen to protect your skin. There is a free sunscreen program located at all eight beaches.
Cedar Grove Beach is located at Ebbitts Street and Cedar Grove Avenue on Staten Island is the city’s newest beach, which was converted from a bungalow colony. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Coney Island and Brighton Beach are located on the Atlantic Ocean, from W. 37th Street to Ocean Parkway, in Brooklyn. It has wheelchair access, and there are wheelchairs provided by reservation. Its open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Manhattan Beach located on the Atlantic Ocean, Oriental Blvd, from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street, in Brooklyn. It’s a small, family-friendly beach suited for locals looking for a calmer beach. It is $12 Monday-Friday and $25 on weekends and holidays. Its open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Midland Beach and Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk located at Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach on Staten Island. It tends to be less crowded. It provides a playground and courts for tennis and shuffleball. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Orchard Beach and Promenade is located on Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park, in Bronx. It has a central pavilion, snack bars, food and souvenir carts, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball and handball.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk is located on the Atlantic Ocean, from Beach 9th Street, Far Rockaway, to Beach 149th Street, Neponsit, in Queens. It has a variety of playgrounds and other outdoor activities. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The beaches are primarily funded, maintained, and operated by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), which relies on city tax-levy allocations and capital budgets. They manage day-to-day operations, hire lifeguards, and maintain facilities such as boardwalks, concessions, and restrooms.
Recent grants were provided to the beaches to emphasize water safety, environmental protection, and community upkeep. EPA beach monitoring awarded $315,000 to monitor water quality. $397,000 was awarded to maintain local green spaces and parks. $1.5 million was provided to free swimming and water safety lessons for children, and $10 million was provided to aim at creating and upgrading recreation areas.
