BEACH ACCESS!

UPDATE TO OUR PETITION ON BEACH ACCESS!

There has recently been some beach access openings amid the bird sanctuary that stems between Beach 38th St. and Beach 57th St. As many may know, Beach 38th St. has always been open to swimming but hasn't been staffed with a lifeguard for years. This is a major issue that we are still fighting with NYC Parks. The new and current beach access points are at Beach 49th St. with a mobi mat placed from the actual entry point up to the shore, to assist those with disabilities. Another access point is at Beach 51 1/2 St. which also has a mobi mat, Beach 55th St. is open but without a mobi, and Beach 56th Place is open with mobi mats in place. This is great and we're appreciative of what NYC Parks has done so far. What concerns us is there is only 1 access point, within the Edgemere community, that NYC Parks opened is Beach 49th St. Edgemere has ALWAYS been the forgotten community on the Peninsula and no one really seemed to care until as of late. ECCA stands for it's community, ECCA stands for what is just. If some communities on the Peninsula and around the world can share the beach with shorebirds during nesting season, then why can't we? Over the many years we haven't received any fairness in this community. Just know that our fight isn't over. As my follow up to NYC Parks with the concerns, a reply came from Eric Peterson, NYC Parks Rockaway Administrator, stating his team will open access at Beach 44th and Beach 47th Streets this weekend but ACOE (Army Corps of Engineers) will begin groin construction starting at Beach 39th Street.

ECCA would like to give a special thanks to Councilmember Brooks-Powers for hearing our plight and supporting us along the way to make this happen. We've also received support from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Congressmen Gregory Meeks, Senator James Sanders, Jr., Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson and Assemblymember Stacey Phefer- Amato. Most importantly it is you, the community, and others who signed and shared our petition (link below), stood beside us and supported us in other ways that this made possible. Again, there is more to do, so let's continue making our voices heard as we fight for equity and equality on all levels for the betterment of our community. See pics of the updated beach access and come out to enjoy the shore again!

Important Note from NYC Parks:

The Army Corps contractor has begun work on the rock groins at Beach 39 and 43. Access from the beach to the boardwalk will be closed between Beach 38 and Beach 44. Their typical work schedule is 7am-3pm, Monday-Friday. Heavy truck traffic will be traversing the beach bringing stone and other material from Beach 19 to Beach 39. Access from the boardwalk to the sand will be maintained between Beach 18 and Beach 36, but pedestrians will have to cross the “haul road,” which could be deeply rutted. The contractor has been requested to grade out the ruts on Friday afternoon in order to allow easier/safer access over the weekends. Over the next few days, it is unlikely that we will be able to open for swimming with lifeguards along the haul road in the Beach 30s on Thursday and Friday, but do plan to be open at least some chairs in the Beach 30's for the final weekend of the season.

Petition: Birds Over People

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