Orchard Beach Celebrates Anniversary and More Sand

A 13-million dollar shoreline protection project brought over 268,000 more cubic feet of sand to the Bronx beach and a new jetty.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe spoke Friday in front of local fifth graders and senior citizens to celebrate the beach’s 75th anniversary along with the new sand. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers brought the sand from Puerto Rico to the Bronx on barges this past winter. The sand will protect against tides, winds, waves and storms.

“You need a camel to get to the water’s edge,” the commissioner said jokingly about how much more space there is on the beach now. Also in attendance was Congressman Jose E. Serrano, who along with Congressman Joseph Crowley, helped get the project federal funding.

This is the first year that beaches will be smoke free, a fact cheered by those in the crowd. Commissioner Benepe urged people to follow the new ban and to be safe in every way possible.

Along with more sand, more lifeguards will be at all of the city beaches, free swimming lessons will be provided and other activities can be found at BeFitNYC.

Beaches officially open on Saturday.  Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm through Labor Day.