Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk

{{Infobox park

| name = Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk

| image = Sunset on the boardwalk (48067690428).jpg

| image_size = 300px

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Seen at sunset in 2019

| map =

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| type =

| location = Rockaway, Queens, New York

| nearest_city =

| coordinates = {{coord|40.585606|-73.805880|format=dms|display=it}}

| area = {{convert|170|acre}} (beach and boardwalk)

| created =

| operator = New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

| visitation_num =

| status =

| designation =

| open =

}}

The Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk is a public park in Rockaway, Queens, New York, composed of the {{convert|170|acre|adj=on}} Rockaway Beach and the adjacent {{convert|5.5|mi|adj=on||abbr=}} Rockaway Boardwalk. The beach runs from Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway to Beach 149th Street in Neponsit, a distance of {{convert|7|mi}}. The boardwalk, a concrete deck, runs from Beach 9th Street to Beach 126th Street in Rockaway Park, at the edge of Belle Harbor. There are also numerous recreational facilities within the park, parallel to the beach and boardwalk.

The beach became a popular resort area in the late 19th century, and several disconnected sections of the boardwalk were constructed by the end of the century. The first section of city-owned boardwalk between Beach 109th and 126th Street was completed in 1923, and the city announced plans for a massive boardwalk two years later, stretching across most of the Rockaway peninsula's southern shore. The city government completed the sections between Beach 19th and 109th Streets in three phases between 1928 and 1930. The concrete boardwalk from Beach 9th Street to Beach 19th Street was completed in 1963. After Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the boardwalk in 2012, it was rebuilt in several phases through 2017.

The park has been maintained by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation since 1938. It is nominally policed by the New York City Parks Enforcement Patrol.

Description

File:Rockaway Beach (9337661497).jpg

The Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), run parallel on the Rockaway peninsula from Beach 9th Street in the east, within Far Rockaway, to Beach 126th Street in the west, within Rockaway Park.{{Cite web|title=Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk|access-date=August 24, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818045154/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/|url-status=live}} The beach and boardwalk are parallel to Beach Front Road from Beach 59th to Beach 73rd Street, and are parallel to Shore Front Parkway from Beach 73rd to Beach 108th Street.{{Cite web|title=NYCityMap|url=http://maps.nyc.gov/|access-date=March 20, 2020|website=NYC.gov|publisher=New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications|archive-date=May 24, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150524114059/http://maps.nyc.gov/|url-status=live}} The beach continues west to Beach 149th Street in Neponsit, where it connects with the beach at Jacob Riis Park. The boardwalk is {{convert|5.5|mi}} long{{cite web|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Highlights|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/highlights/7721|access-date=August 27, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807160928/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/highlights/7721|url-status=live}} while the beaches cover an area of {{convert|170|acre}} over {{convert|7|mi}}.{{cite web|title=Rockaway Beach Highlights|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/highlights/7719|access-date=August 27, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629193536/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/highlights/7719|url-status=live}}

The beach and boardwalk run adjacent to a variety of neighborhoods, including public housing on the Beach 50- and 60-numbered streets in Edgemere and Arverne, and high-rise developments on the Beach 100-numbered streets in Rockaway Beach.{{Cite news|last=Kilgannon|first=Corey|date=July 4, 2005|title=On Rockaway Beaches, a Job That's as Rough as the Surf|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/04/nyregion/on-rockaway-beaches-a-job-thats-as-rough-as-the-surf.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529171833/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/04/nyregion/on-rockaway-beaches-a-job-thats-as-rough-as-the-surf.html|url-status=live}} Some sections of the boardwalk, such as the sections in Edgemere and Arverne, are next to mostly uncrowded beaches. Other sections, such as the segment in Rockaway Beach, include recreational facilities and bathroom facilities and tend to be crowded.{{cite web|last=Cross|first=Heather|date=April 11, 2012|title=Plan a Visit to Rockaway Beach in New York City|url=http://gonyc.about.com/od/summer/tp/Rockaway-Beach-And-Boardwalk-Guide.htm|access-date=May 4, 2018|work=New York City Travel|publisher=TripSavvy|archive-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512213943/http://gonyc.about.com/od/summer/tp/Rockaway-Beach-And-Boardwalk-Guide.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Weedman|first=Mary Jane|date=May 17, 2019|title="I'm Embarrassed I've Never Gone to the Rockaways"|url=https://nymag.com/urbanist/article/rockaway-beach-guide-bars.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=New York Magazine|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920085603/https://nymag.com/urbanist/article/rockaway-beach-guide-bars.html|url-status=live}}

The {{NYC bus link|Q22}} bus runs close by for almost the entire route of the beach. The western part of the beach is also served by the {{NYC bus link|Q35}} bus, while the central part is also served by the {{NYC bus link|Q52 SBS|Q53 SBS|prose=y}} buses.{{Cite NYC bus map|Q}} The Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk is also largely within walking distance to several stations on the New York City Subway's IND Rockaway Line.{{cite news|last=Persico|first=Chrissy|date=June 15, 2003|title=Rockaway Beach|page=187|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58227930/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144904/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58227930/rockaway-beach/|url-status=live}} The central section of the park is served by the {{NYCS trains|Rockaway Park}} between the {{stn|Beach 90th Street}} and {{stn|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street}} stations, while the eastern section is served by the {{NYCS trains|Far Rockaway}} between the {{stn|Beach 25th Street}} and {{stn|Beach 67th Street}} stations.{{Cite NYC neighborhood map|The Rockaways}}

= Boardwalk =

The planks were originally made of several different woods such as "Angelique, teak, pine, ipe, Cumaru and greenheart", according to The New York Times. However, most of the wooden boardwalk was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.{{Cite news|last=Robbins|first=Liz|date=November 15, 2012|title=Clash Over Future of Wood From the Storm-Torn Rockaway Boardwalk|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/nyregion/rivals-vie-for-wood-from-storm-torn-rockaway-boardwalk.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001173551/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/nyregion/rivals-vie-for-wood-from-storm-torn-rockaway-boardwalk.html|url-status=live}} The wooden boardwalk was ultimately entirely replaced with concrete.{{cite web|last=Kensinger|first=Nathan|date=August 13, 2015|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Re-emerges With a New Identity|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2015/8/13/9931108/rockaway-boardwalk-re-emerges-with-a-new-identity|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=Curbed NY|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126141142/https://ny.curbed.com/2015/8/13/9931108/rockaway-boardwalk-re-emerges-with-a-new-identity|url-status=live}}

When originally planned, the boardwalk was to extend almost {{Convert|9|mi||abbr=}} from Beach 9th to Beach 169th Streets, connecting with the boardwalk in Jacob Riis Park. The boardwalk was intended to be {{Convert|80|ft||abbr=}} wide and an average of {{Convert|14|ft||abbr=}} above the beach. More than 12,000 yellow-pine deep foundations were to be used for the boardwalk, and more than {{Convert|1,100,000|ft||abbr=}} of yellow pine planks were to be used for the bulkheads.{{Cite news|date=May 29, 1927|title=New Nine-mile Boardwalk for Rockaway, L. I.: Work to Be Started Next Month on Big Project That Will Cost Close to $1,300,000|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/103633777/BD25555A229249F7PQ|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144912/https://www.proquest.com/docview/103633777/BD25555A229249F7PQ|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=July 12, 1925|title=Nine-Mile Boardwalk at Rockaway Soon Under Way; First Bids Opened|page=6|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58136437/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58136437/nine-mile-boardwalk-at-rockaway-soon/|url-status=live}} As built, the boardwalk was supported by about 1,306 concrete "bents", supported by three or four wooden piles and spaced at intervals of about {{Convert|19|ft||abbr=}}.{{cite book|last=AKRF, Inc|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/68/1_RockawayBoardwalkEA_Cover_NEPA_ERR_and_EA_Checklist.pdf|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Reconstruction Environmental Assessment|date=February 14, 2014|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|chapter=1: Project Description|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214091226/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/68/1_RockawayBoardwalkEA_Cover_NEPA_ERR_and_EA_Checklist.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Rp|1.5}}

The present boardwalk, made largely of concrete, is supported on piles spaced {{Convert|30|ft||abbr=}} apart and driven up to {{Convert|27|ft||abbr=}} underground. A pair of piles support a concrete foundation or "bent".{{cite book|last=AKRF, Inc|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/68/rockaway-boardwalk-ea_3e-natural-resources.pdf|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Reconstruction Environmental Assessment|date=February 14, 2014|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|chapter=3: Natural Resources|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214091114/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/68/rockaway-boardwalk-ea_3e-natural-resources.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Rp|3E-22}} The concrete slabs of the boardwalk surface are secured to their foundations.{{Rp|1.5 to 1.6}}{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Charlie|date=June 30, 2016|title=After three years of post-Sandy repairs, full Rockaway Boardwalk opens in time for Independence Day|url=https://qns.com/story/2016/06/30/full-rockaway-board-walk-opened-just-in-time-for-the-4th-of-july/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=QNS.com|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718143018/http://qns.com/story/2016/06/30/full-rockaway-board-walk-opened-just-in-time-for-the-4th-of-july/|url-status=live}} A sand-retaining wall under the boardwalk is designed to prevent sand from drifting away from the beach.{{Rp|1.5}} Most of the boardwalk is {{Convert|40|ft||abbr=}} wide, and largely follows the path of the original boardwalk, with minor modifications to straighten out its route. "Bump-outs", which add between {{Convert|5|and|15|ft|abbr=}} of width to the boardwalk, are installed at areas where there are stairs and ramps, as well as at areas with amenities such as benches.{{Rp|1.5}} The present modular benches reused wood from the old boardwalk.

= Beach =

File:Rockaway Beach Queens.JPG

The beach was built with an average width of {{Convert|300|to|400|ft|abbr=}}, using {{Convert|2500000|yd3||abbr=}} of sand. Parts of the beach in Arverne and Edgemere were filled to a width of up to {{Convert|1,000|ft||abbr=}} due to strong currents in that area. To protect beach erosion, jetties were constructed at {{Convert|400|ft||abbr=}}, extending from the boardwalk to the ocean. From 1977 to 2004, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) undertook a beach nourishment project between Beach 19th and 149th Streets, replenishing a {{Convert|100|to|200|ft|abbr=|adj=on}} wide strip of the beach.{{cite web|date=June 26, 2012|title=FACT SHEET - Atlantic Coast of New York City, East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet (Rocka|url=https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-View/Article/487597/fact-sheet-atlantic-coast-of-new-york-city-east-rockaway-inlet-to-rockaway-inle/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=New York District Website|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804141015/https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-View/Article/487597/fact-sheet-atlantic-coast-of-new-york-city-east-rockaway-inlet-to-rockaway-inle/|url-status=live}} Ecologically, the beach contains maritime beach and maritime dunes communities, with vegetation present along the length of the beach.{{Rp|3E-8 to 3E-10}} The section from Beach 38th to Beach 57th Street is a piping plover habitat and, since 1996, has been closed to the public from April to August of each year.{{cite web | last=Schwach | first=Ryan | title=Birds Over People | website=The Wave | date=2022-10-14 | url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/birds-over-people/ | access-date=2024-08-10}}{{cite web | last=Howard | first=Hilary | title=Piping Plovers' Beach in Queens Draws Scrutiny | website=The New York Times | date=August 4, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/04/nyregion/queens-beach-endangered-birds.html | access-date=August 10, 2024}}

Rockaway Beach is the only one of New York City's beaches that sees significant surf, and all {{Convert|7.5|mi||abbr=}} of the beach are patrolled. In 2005, The New York Times reported that of 1,000 lifeguards hired for the city's beaches, 500 of them worked on Rockaway Beach. The beaches are generally most utilized from Memorial Day in May to Labor Day in September. The city's only legal surfing beaches are also along Rockaway Beach, between Beach 67th and 69th Streets and between Beach 87th and 92nd Streets.{{cite web|title=Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/|access-date=August 29, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818045154/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/|url-status=live}}

On the section between Beach 126th and 149th Streets, which does not have frontage on the boardwalk, the beach is accessed by stairs or ADA-accessible ramps at the ends of these streets.{{Rp|3E-22}} Along that section, baffle walls are installed to prevent sand migration.{{cite web|title=Rockaway Beach Restoration|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/facility/beaches/beach-recovery|access-date=August 29, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806222400/https://www.nycgovparks.org/facility/beaches/beach-recovery|url-status=live}} The segment between Beach 9th and 20th Streets has five areas where paths extend south of the boardwalk and cross the beach's dunes to the shoreline.{{Rp|1.8}}

= Park facilities =

File:Rockaway Beach (9340439090).jpg

There are several recreational facilities along the beach and boardwalk, including basketball and handball courts, a roller hockey rink, skateparks, and playgrounds. In addition, there are food concessions at Beach 17th, 86th, 97th, and 106th Streets.{{cite web|date=June 26, 1939|title=Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk Eateries : NYC Parks|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/facilities/restaurants|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922051028/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/facilities/restaurants|url-status=live}} "Comfort stations", or restrooms, also exist at Beach 9th, 17th, 32nd, 60th, 86th, 97th, 106th, and 115th Streets.{{cite web|title=Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk Bathrooms|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/facilities/bathrooms|access-date=August 29, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922083756/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/facilities/bathrooms|url-status=live}} The original comfort stations were destroyed in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy; these were replaced in 2013 by modular structures designed by Garrison Architects, which are installed in pairs. The modular structures contain double-layered stainless-steel facades and are powered by photovoltaic cells.{{cite book |last1=Banker |first1=Mary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AxhcnAEACAAJ |title=We Build the City : NYC's Design + Construction Excellence Program |last2=Burney |first2=David J. |last3=Merkel |first3=Jayne |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-941806-16-6 |page= |publisher=Oro Editions |oclc=841912195}}{{Rp|page=89}}

The section of the park within Far Rockaway contains three sets of recreational facilities. O'Donohue Park, near Beach 9th Street at the eastern end of the Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, contains a playground, ten handball courts, three basketball courts, and restrooms, as well as the Far Rockaway Skate Park. Near Beach 17th Street is another playground, as well as a baseball field. The next recreational facilities are between Beach 27th and 32nd Streets, which contain the Beach 30th Street Playground and a football field. In Arverne, there is a playground and handball facilities at Beach 59th Street. Another playground, as well as one basketball and eight handball courts, are on the boardwalk's south side from Beach 74th to 77th Street. Within Hammels, there are eight handball and two basketball courts west of Beach 81st Street, and two playgrounds at Beach 84th Street. In the neighborhood of Rockaway Beach is the Rockaway Beach Skate Park at Beach 91st Street. There is an ice hockey rink at Beach 109th Street.{{cite web|title=Field and Court Permit Availability Map|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/map|access-date=August 29, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903201607/https://www.nycgovparks.org/permits/field-and-court/map|url-status=live}} In addition, there is an amphitheater at Beach 94th Street.{{cite web |last=O'Flynn |first=Fiona |date=June 16, 2023 |title=A New Gateway To The Rockaways |url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/a-new-gateway-to-the-rockaways/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=The Wave - Rockaway's Newspaper since 1893}}

A gray-and-aquamarine stucco sculpture called "Whaleamena", formerly of the Central Park Children's Zoo, is situated at the Beach 95th Street entrance to the park.{{Cite news|last=Maloney|first=Field|date=September 2, 2001|title=The Hamptons It's Not|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/nyregion/the-hamptons-it-s-not.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328215706/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/nyregion/the-hamptons-it-s-not.html|url-status=live}} A seal sculpture from Central Park is also on the boardwalk. On Shore Front Drive, there are a series of decorative bus shelters designed for the 1939 New York World's Fair. The shelters contain aquatic-themed murals designed by Esther A. Grillo and installed in 1997.{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=March 6, 2015|title='Surf's Up' Bus Shelter Artist Heartbroken by Possible Demolition|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150306/rockaway-beach/artist-who-painted-rockaway-bus-shelters-heartbroken-by-possible-demolition|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=November 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119014656/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150306/rockaway-beach/artist-who-painted-rockaway-bus-shelters-heartbroken-by-possible-demolition|url-status=dead}}

At Beach 116th Street, there is also a memorial to the victims of American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed into the Rockaway peninsula in 2001 and killed 265 people. The memorial, designed by Dominican artist Freddy Rodríguez and Situ Studio, was completed in 2006. It consists of a wall, inscribed with the victims' names, with windows and a doorway looking toward the nearby Atlantic Ocean and angled toward the Dominican Republic, the origin country of many crash victims.{{cite web|last=Venugopal|first=Arun|date=December 21, 2008|title=WNYC - News - Flight 587 Memorial Dedicated in Rockaways|url=http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/68947|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221014229/http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/68947|archive-date=December 21, 2008|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=wnyc.org}} Atop the memorial is a quotation, in both Spanish and English, from Dominican poet Pedro Mir, reading "{{lang|es|Después no quiero más que paz}}", which translates to "Afterwards I want nothing more than peace."{{cite news|date=November 12, 2006|title=Families dedicate Flight 587 memorial on 5-year anniversary|work=The International Herald Tribune|publisher=IHT|agency=The Associated Press|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/12/america/NA_GEN_US_Flight_587_Anniversary.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201155045/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/12/america/NA_GEN_US_Flight_587_Anniversary.php|archive-date=February 1, 2009}}

History

The Rockaway peninsula became a popular area for seaside hotels starting in the 1830s, with the first resort being founded at Far Rockaway in 1835. Many resorts were situated on Rockaway Beach along the southern side of the peninsula.{{cite news|date=August 3, 1912|title=The Rockaways, The City's Greatest Summer Resort|page=6|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58136651/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58136651/the-rockaways-the-citys-greatest/|url-status=live}} The peninsula's popularity grew in the 1880s with the construction of the Long Island Rail Road's Rockaway Beach Branch to Long Island City and Flatbush Terminal (now Atlantic Terminal), which facilitated population growth.{{cite encnyc|page=120}}

=Predecessors=

File:Rockaway boardwalk 1903.jpg

Several disconnected sections of boardwalk were built along the beach in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly clustered around resorts.{{cite web|last=Bellot|first=Alfred H.|date=1918|title=History of the Rockaways 1685-1917|url=https://archive.org/details/BellotsHistoryOfTheRockaways1917/page/n105/mode/2up?q=boardwalk|access-date=August 26, 2020|pages=97–106}} These included a {{Convert|1|mi||abbr=|adj=on}} stretch in Arverne to the east, a {{Convert|0.8|mi||abbr=|adj=on}} stretch in Rockaway Park to the west, and shorter sections in Hammels and Hollands (now Rockaway Park) in the center. The peninsula became part of the City of Greater New York in the late 1890s. Amusement parks also opened along the beach,{{cite book|last=Lucev|first=Emil R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r51IR9A1R2wC&pg=PA8|title=The Rockaways|publisher=Arcadia Pub.|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7385-4990-3|series=Postcard history series|page=8|access-date=August 30, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144941/https://books.google.com/books?id=r51IR9A1R2wC&pg=PA8|url-status=live}} such as Rockaways' Playland in the first decade of the 20th century.{{cite news|date=April 26, 1970|title=Playland Aglitter for 42 d Fun Year|page=160|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35886732/|access-date=September 12, 2019|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144942/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35886732/playland-aglitter-for-42-d-fun-year/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=April 24, 1987|title=After 86 Years, Rockaways Playland To Be Razed For 300 Condominiums|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/24/nyregion/after-86-years-rockaways-playland-to-be-razed-for-300-condominiums.html|access-date=September 12, 2019|website=The New York Times|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001185239/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/24/nyregion/after-86-years-rockaways-playland-to-be-razed-for-300-condominiums.html|url-status=live}}

The initial boardwalk in Arverne was built in 1886, {{Convert|3|ft||abbr=}} above the beach.{{Rp|99}} A new boardwalk, stretching about {{Convert|0.75|mi||abbr=}}, was built {{Convert|300|ft||abbr=}} to the south in 1900–1901. Family houses, a hotel, and an 800-seat theater were built around the Arverne boardwalk, though the boardwalk was often damaged by hurricanes and high tides.{{Rp|100}} Each property owner on the boardwalk was to be charged $1 for each bedroom in their property, although several owners and tenants initially refused to pay the tax.{{Cite news|date=June 16, 1907|title=Arverne's Boardwalk; Subject Agitates the Dwellers in This Summer Place.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1907/06/16/archives/arvernes-boardwalk-subject-agitates-the-dwellers-in-this-summer.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303014837/https://www.nytimes.com/1907/06/16/archives/arvernes-boardwalk-subject-agitates-the-dwellers-in-this-summer.html|url-status=live}}

A separate boardwalk was built in the communities of Hollands and Seaside in 1893. That boardwalk had been built after the resorts in these communities were wrecked in an 1892 fire.{{Rp|106}} The boardwalk contained several theaters, hotels, and roller coasters. Yet another boardwalk, located at Rockaway Park, was also overlooked by resorts.{{Rp|108}}

= Expanded beach and boardwalk =

== Planning and first section ==

By the 1910s, the Arverne Boardwalk Committee and the Arverne Hotel Owners' Association were advocating for the construction of a boardwalk from Beach 58th or 59th Street to Beach 109th Street. The Edgemere Taxpayers' Association supported building a boardwalk both westward to Beach 109th Street and eastward to Beach 24th Street.{{cite news|date=June 14, 1925|title=Rockaways Plan Holiday June 19, Boardwalk Day|page=6|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58139768/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144931/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58139768/rockaways-plan-holiday-june-19/|url-status=live}} Residents of Rockaway Park wanted a boardwalk as well, connecting Jacob Riis Park at Beach 148th Street to Edgemere.{{Cite news|date=July 26, 1914|title=Boardwalk Wanted; Rockaway Beach Residents Will Petition for One Five Miles Long.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1914/07/26/archives/boardwalk-wanted-rockaway-beach-residents-will-petition-for-one.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144905/https://www.nytimes.com/1914/07/26/archives/boardwalk-wanted-rockaway-beach-residents-will-petition-for-one.html|url-status=live}} Several groups collaborated to acquire land on the waterfront, and by 1923, the civic groups had acquired almost all waterfront land in Arverne between Beach 59th and 75th Streets.{{cite news|date=February 11, 1923|title=Rockaways Expect to Have Ready Big Boardwalk by Summer of 1924|page=14|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58162787/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58162787/rockaways-expect-to-have-ready-big/|url-status=live}} The city planned an "experimental boardwalk" between these streets, following the model of the Riegelmann Boardwalk at Coney Island.{{cite news|date=April 6, 1923|title=Rockaway Walk Before Board Soon|page=18|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58214271/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58214271/rockaway-walk-before-board-soon/|url-status=live}} Queens borough engineers considered three options: a boardwalk without a road, one with a wide parkway, and one with a narrow parkway.{{cite news|date=August 19, 1923|title=Rockaway Boardwalk.: Three Plans Prepared That Rival Coney Island and Atlantic City|page=RE1|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/100211662/AE0BE994A0DE4182PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=June 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144915/https://www.proquest.com/docview/100211662/AE0BE994A0DE4182PQ|url-status=live}} The city government also sent engineers around the world to look at other boardwalks' designs, as it intended to build the world's longest boardwalk along the Rockaway shore.{{cite news|date=April 22, 1923|title=Engineers Work Out Walk Plans|page=9|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164051/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144906/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164051/engineers-work-out-walk-plans/|url-status=live}}

The city government had started constructing a concrete boardwalk on city-owned land in Rockaway Park, between Beach 109th and 126th Streets, by 1922.{{cite news|date=August 15, 1922|title=Neponsit Folk Seek Boardwalk|page=6|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58220600/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144907/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58220600/neponsit-folk-seek-boardwalk/|url-status=live}} The boardwalk in Rockaway Park, which opened in May 1923, was {{Convert|31|ft||abbr=}} wide and {{Convert|4500|ft||abbr=}} long, and cost $133,000. It was placed under the jurisdiction of NYC Parks.{{Cite news|date=May 20, 1923|title=Mayor Threatens Republican Bosses; Plans War on Machold and the Leaders Who Blocked His Transit Bills|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/05/20/archives/mayor-threatens-republican-bosses-plans-war-on-machold-and-the.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144907/https://www.nytimes.com/1923/05/20/archives/mayor-threatens-republican-bosses-plans-war-on-machold-and-the.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=May 20, 1923|title=Rockaway Park Boardwalk Opens as Crowd Cheers|page=4|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58220793//|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144911/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58220793/rockaway-park-boardwalk-opens-as-crowd/|url-status=live}} The residents of Neponsit and Belle Harbor, between Beach 126th and 149th Streets, also sought a boardwalk. However, the city did not own the shoreline in these two neighborhoods, precluding the city from adding a boardwalk in these neighborhoods unless the residents were willing to pay taxes for a boardwalk extension to their communities. By early 1923, the city had passed resolutions to acquire title to the shore between Beach 59th and 75th Streets in Arverne, and between Beach 126th and 149th Streets in Neponsit and Belle Harbor. It was also in the process of acquiring title between Beach 25th and 59th Streets in Edgemere and Far Rockaway, and between Beach 75th and 109th Streets in Hammels, Hollands, and Seaside.{{cite news|date=March 4, 1923|title=Accept Petitions Asking City Titles for Boardwalk|page=15|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58221369/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144908/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58221369/accept-petitions-asking-city-titles-for/|url-status=live}}

The New York City Board of Estimate appropriated $8 million for a beach improvement project on the Rockaway peninsula in June 1925.{{Cite news|date=June 20, 1925|title=Hylan and Craig Get Cheers at Meeting; Delighted Delegations Jam Estimate Board Room as Pet Projects Are Approved|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/06/20/archives/hylan-and-craig-get-cheers-at-meeting-delighted-delegations-jam.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144907/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/06/20/archives/hylan-and-craig-get-cheers-at-meeting-delighted-delegations-jam.html|url-status=live}} The Queens borough president's office started soliciting bids to build "bulkheads, groynes, jetties and breakwaters" and to add sand to the southern shore of the Rockaway peninsula between Beach 59th and 109th Streets. The Gahagen Realty Company submitted a low bid and received a $1.26 million contract for the work. The boardwalk was slated to be completed within three years, in anticipation of an increase in Rockaway-bound traffic created by the completion of Cross Bay Boulevard. The expanded beach would be city property once the project was completed.{{cite news|date=August 11, 1925|title=Rockaway Assured Of Boardwalk as First Job Is Let: Contract for Filling In Land Awarded and Connolly Is Sure of Completion Next Summer; Form Chamber|page=25|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113111681/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144924/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113111681/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} Actual work on the boardwalk would occur after the shore-improvement projects were finished.{{cite news|date=June 28, 1925|title=Edgemere Asks Early Start on New Boardwalk: Taxpayers Point Out There Is No Engineering Difficulty to Prevent Immediate Work at Their Town 25,000 to Sign Petition Gigantic Rockaway Project Expected To Be Ready for Use in Three Years|page=15|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1112928593/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144923/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1112928593/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} However, work was delayed for a year because of a lack of money.{{cite news|date=April 15, 1926|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Proposal Shelved by Board of Estimate; No Money, Residents Are Told|page=1|work=Brooklyn Citizen|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164513/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144943/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164513/rockaway-boardwalk-proposal-shelved-by/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=March 12, 1926|title=Lacks Funds for Start On Rockaway Boardwalk: Estimate Board Defers Action On Edgemere Beach Work On Berry's Report|page=10|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1112734614/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144922/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1112734614/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} By June 1926, the city had approved $1 million for the project and was speeding up plans to construct the section of boardwalk between Beach 59th and 109th Streets.{{cite news|date=June 7, 1926|title=To Speed Queens Boardwalk Plans|page=10|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58163262/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144909/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58163262/to-speed-queens-boardwalk-plans/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=June 11, 1926|title=$1,000,000 Rockaway Project Approved; But the Absence of Ready Money Makes Board Uncertain About When to Start Work.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/06/11/archives/1000000-rockaway-project-approved-but-the-absence-of-ready-money.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814144924/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/06/11/archives/1000000-rockaway-project-approved-but-the-absence-of-ready-money.html|url-status=live}}

== Connections between sections ==

File:Rockaway_Beach_aerial_view.jpg) does not have a boardwalk.]]

The Board of Estimate appropriated $500,000 for the first connecting section of the boardwalk between Beach 91st and 109th Streets in mid-1927.{{Cite news|date=June 18, 1927|title=Rockaway Gets Fund for More Boardwalk; City Releases $500,000 for Continuation of Promenade From Beach 109th Street.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/06/18/archives/rockaway-gets-fund-for-more-boardwalk-city-releases-500000-for.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} That August, contractor Muccini & Decker reported that between 30 and 40 buildings in the boardwalk's path would have to be condemned and demolished.{{cite news|date=August 20, 1927|title=Rockaway Walk May Be Held Up by Old Buildings|page=19|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58214938/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145116/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58214938/rockaway-walk-may-be-held-up-by-old/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=August 21, 1927|title=Boardwalk Work Delayed; Contractors Wait for Removal of Rockaway Beach Buildings.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/08/21/archives/boardwalk-work-delayed-contractors-wait-for-removal-of-rockaway.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145128/https://www.nytimes.com/1927/08/21/archives/boardwalk-work-delayed-contractors-wait-for-removal-of-rockaway.html|url-status=live}} The contractor subsequently stated that work would progress even as the buildings were to be razed. The existing boardwalk at Hollands and Seaside, between Beach 90th and 100th Street, would be removed and replaced.{{cite news|date=August 30, 1927|title=Sept. 7 is Fixed to Begin Rockaway Boardwalk Work|page=9|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215296/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145129/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215296/sept-7-is-fixed-to-begin-rockaway/|url-status=live}} Work began in September 1927,{{cite news|date=September 6, 1927|title=Rockaway Starts Construction of New Boardwalk|page=8|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215409/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215409/rockaway-starts-construction-of-new/|url-status=live}} although the first pile was driven that November.{{cite news|date=November 6, 1927|title=Levine Drives First Pile For Rockaway Boardwalk|page=3|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1131876856/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145058/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1131876856/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} By then, some $4 million had already been spent for shore protection and beach widening.{{cite news|date=December 11, 1927|title=First Two Miles of Rockaway's Walk Ready Next Summer: Construction Was' Started Last Week; Property Innterests Already Prepare for Ocean Front Highway|page=C10|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1132302867/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145058/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1132302867/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} The first section was dedicated in June 1928,{{cite news|date=June 2, 1928|title=Rockaway Opens Boardwalk Today|page=27|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215801/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145118/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215801/rockaway-opens-boardwalk-today/|url-status=live}} although the portion east of Beach 102nd Street was opened to the public first, while the section west of that street opened in July 1928, except for a small gap at Beach 109th Street.{{cite news|date=July 9, 1928|title=Entire First Part Rockaway Walk Opened to Public|page=42|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58216185/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58216185/entire-first-part-rockaway-walk-opened/|url-status=live}} With the opening of this boardwalk section, real estate demand along the shore increased in 1928, while existing resort owners started planning amusement attractions.{{Cite news|date=June 17, 1928|title=Rockaway Sales Along Boardwalk; Chamber of Commerce Reports Demand for Property on the Ocean Front.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/17/archives/rockaway-sales-along-boardwalk-chamber-of-commerce-reports-demand.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315073030/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/17/archives/rockaway-sales-along-boardwalk-chamber-of-commerce-reports-demand.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=October 3, 1928|title=Rockaway Resort Owners Plan Many Improvements|page=2|work=Brooklyn Citizen|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215558/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58215558/rockaway-resort-owners-plan-many/|url-status=live}} More than $1.5 million was invested in constructing hotels, apartment buildings, and bathing pavilions.{{cite news|date=June 29, 1928|title=Arverne Boardwalk Aids New Projects|page=6|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58140120/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145054/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58140120/arverne-boardwalk-aids-new-projects/|url-status=live}}

Funding for the third section of the boardwalk, between Beach 56th and 21st Streets, was requested in September 1928, just as work on the second section between Beach 75th and 56th Streets was to commence.{{Cite news|date=September 30, 1928|title=Rockaway Activity; Funds Asked for Third Section of Ocean Boardwalk.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/30/archives/rockaway-activity-funds-asked-for-third-section-of-ocean-boardwalk.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227040030/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/30/archives/rockaway-activity-funds-asked-for-third-section-of-ocean-boardwalk.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=September 29, 1928|title=Rockaways Face Building Boom|page=22|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58225406/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145120/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58225406/rockaways-face-building-boom/|url-status=live}} The second section was to cost $467,000.{{cite news|date=May 26, 1929|title=Million Being Spent to Groom The Rockaways: Boardwalk Is Being Extended and Construction Is Being Rushed on All Sides|page=D26|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1111976832/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145134/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1111976832/6FCC69F27CA94534PQ|url-status=live}} Queens borough president George U. Harvey formally opened the boardwalk's second section in June 1929.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58224275/|title=Harvey Cuts Tape, Opens Boardwalk Through Arverne|date=June 16, 1929|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|access-date=August 27, 2020|page=42|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145102/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58224275/harvey-cuts-tape-opens-boardwalk/|url-status=live}} Work on the third section began in late 1929,{{cite news|date=June 20, 1930|title=Third Rockaway Boardwalk Section to be Ready July 1|page=516|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58223468/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145056/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58223468/third-rockaway-boardwalk-section-to-be/|url-status=live}} although the ceremonial first pile was not driven until January 1930.{{cite news|date=January 3, 1930|title=Start Rockaway Boardwalk Unit|page=437|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164392/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145056/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58164392/start-rockaway-boardwalk-unit/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=January 3, 1930|title=Construction of $610,000 Third Section Starts|page=12|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58225651/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145121/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58225651/construction-of-610000-third-section/|url-status=live}} The third section was built by D. M. W. Construction at a cost of $610,000. The contractor reported in April 1930 that it was ahead of schedule, and would likely have the third section open by the end of the following month.{{cite news|date=April 11, 1930|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Span Due for Opening on May 30|page=612|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58221969/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58221969/rockaway-boardwalk-span-due-for-opening/|url-status=live}} Delays in securing the wooden decking for the boardwalk pushed the opening back by several months.{{cite news|date=July 23, 1930|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Delayed Possibly Until September|page=278|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58222071/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145056/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58222071/rockaway-boardwalk-delayed-possibly/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=July 20, 1930|title=Third Boardwalk Section Delayed in Rockaway|page=20|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58225802/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145057/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/clip/58225802/third-boardwalk-section-delayed-in/|url-status=live}} There were also delays caused by the need to remove rock in the boardwalk's path. The third section was finally opened in September 1930, four months after the contractors had initially projected. At the time, the Queens borough president's office operated the portion of the boardwalk east of Beach 105th Street, while NYC Parks operated the section to the west.{{cite news|date=September 15, 1930|title=Open Boardwalk Addition Friday|page=8|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58225944/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145057/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58225944/open-boardwalk-addition-friday/|url-status=live}} A temporary ramp connected to Beach 19th Street.

While construction was ongoing, there were disputes over the compensation that the city was scheduled to pay property owners. In September 1930, New York City Comptroller Charles W. Berry objected to the $12.5 million proposed compensation, saying that the land was assessed as being worth only one tenth as much.{{cite news|date=September 20, 1930|title=Berry Protests $12,500,000 Beach Award: Comptroller Holds Price Set for Land for Rockaway Boardwalk Is Excessive|page=1|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113750712/1F648A14EBB74D4CPQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145107/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113750712/1F648A14EBB74D4CPQ|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=September 20, 1930|title=Berry Fights to Cut Rockaway Awards: Asks City to Oppose Paying 10 Times Assessed Value for Land for Boardwalk|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/09/20/archives/berry-fights-to-cut-rockaway-awards-asks-city-to-oppose-paying-10.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145057/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/09/20/archives/berry-fights-to-cut-rockaway-awards-asks-city-to-oppose-paying-10.html|url-status=live}} The city suspended compensation payments for the property that November.{{cite news|date=November 22, 1930|title=City Suspends Payments For Rockaway Boardwalk|page=2|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113731851/1F648A14EBB74D4CPQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145115/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1113731851/1F648A14EBB74D4CPQ|url-status=live}} Ultimately, the compensation payments were lowered to $9.2 million, as decided by the New York Supreme Court in June 1931.{{Cite news|date=June 9, 1931|title=City Saves $4,459,643 in Condemnation Cut on Rockaway Land; Filing of Awards Reveals a Decrease From $16,795,043 on Boardwalk Properties|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/09/archives/city-saves-4459643-in-condemnation-cut-on-rockaway-land-filing-of-a.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145057/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/06/09/archives/city-saves-4459643-in-condemnation-cut-on-rockaway-land-filing-of-a.html|url-status=live}}

The fourth section of the boardwalk, east of Beach 21st Street, was delayed because tidal conditions would prevent the city from building a boardwalk east of Beach 14th Street without having to acquire significant space inland. City authorities considered ending the boardwalk at Beach 14th Street instead, but property owners in Far Rockaway refused, stating that they were entitled to benefit from the boardwalk since they had paid taxes for it.{{cite news|date=February 3, 1931|title=Far Rockaway Boardwalk Hits Taxpayers' Compromise Snag|page=243|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58163423/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145136/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58163423/far-rockaway-boardwalk-hits-taxpayers/|url-status=live}} Harvey also wished to delay the construction of the fourth section because of the then-ongoing litigation over the property compensation.{{cite news|date=April 10, 1931|title=Boardwalk Fight to Be Continued|page=12|work=Brooklyn Times-Union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58223959/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58223959/boardwalk-fight-to-be-continued/|url-status=live}} Finally, the section of beach between Beach 16th and 20th Streets was the privately owned Roche's Beach; the owners opposed the construction of the boardwalk and successfully lobbied to stop it.{{cite web|last=Lucev|first=Emil|date=April 14, 2001|title=Roche's Beach, Far Rockaway 1908-1963|url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/roches-beach-far-rockaway-1908-1963/|access-date=August 28, 2020|website=The Wave | Rockaway Beach, NY|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145109/https://www.rockawave.com/articles/roches-beach-far-rockaway-1908-1963/|url-status=live}} The westernmost section was not built either, because the president of the real estate board covering Rockaway Park, Neponsit, and Belle Harbor did not wish to start construction until the Far Rockaway section was built.{{cite news|date=December 6, 1929|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Plan to Wait Ocean Promenade|page=358|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58224056/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145132/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58224056/rockaway-boardwalk-plan-to-wait-ocean/|url-status=live}}

= 1930s to 1960s =

The extended boardwalk experienced several major fires after its completion, including during 1931{{Cite news|date=October 19, 1931|title=Fire at Rockaway Razes 26 Concessions; Destroys Buildings Along Boardwalk and Menaces LargeAmusement Places.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/10/19/archives/fire-at-rockaway-razes-26-concessions-destroys-buildings-along.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145135/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/10/19/archives/fire-at-rockaway-razes-26-concessions-destroys-buildings-along.html|url-status=live}} and 1937.{{Cite news|date=July 4, 1937|title=$200,000 Fire Razes 2 Blocks at Beach; Boardwalk Concessions and Adjoining Bungalows Are Destroyed at Rockaway|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/04/archives/200000-fire-razes-2-blocks-at-beach-boardwalk-concessions-and.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145108/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/04/archives/200000-fire-razes-2-blocks-at-beach-boardwalk-concessions-and.html|url-status=live}} In 1938, the responsibility of maintaining the boardwalk, and the beach between Beach 9th and 149th Streets, was transferred to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks). This jurisdiction extended to the beach at Jacob Riis Park, which was operated by NYC Parks until 1974.{{cite web|last=Unrau|first=Harian D.|date=April 1981|title=Historic Structure Report: Jacob Riis Park Historic District; Historic Data; Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey-New York|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_hsr.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303122134/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_hsr.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2017|access-date=September 4, 2017|publisher=United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service|page=208}}

Parks commissioner Robert Moses had previously criticized the condition of the Coney Island, Rockaway, and South Beach boardwalks, saying, "These beaches and boardwalks were never properly planned, and cannot under present conditions be properly maintained and operated."{{Cite book|last=Moses|first=Robert|url=https://archive.org/details/improvementofcon00newy|title=Improvement of Coney Island, Rockaway and South Beaches|date=1937|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|page=5}} To improve the condition of the Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Moses cleared a {{Convert|200|ft||-wide|abbr=|adj=mid}} strip of land north of the boardwalk for Shore Front Parkway, which opened in 1939. Moses demolished more than 700 buildings in the parkway's path and destroyed what he described as "catch-penny enterprises" along the boardwalk, replacing them with recreational fields. The beach was also extended toward the sea.{{cite news|date=June 3, 1939|title=New Rockaway, A 'Jones Beach,' In Debut Today: Shacks and Midway Cone, New Park and Parkways To Be Opened by Moses Rehabilitated Rockaway Beach to Celebrate Opening of Improvements Today|page=15|work=New York Herald-Tribune|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1255586888/F4F396BC9C834DB2PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 28, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145136/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1255586888/F4F396BC9C834DB2PQ|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=June 4, 1939|title=2 Miles of Beach Open in Rockaway; Maze of Narrow Streets and Dilapidated Shacks Turned Into a New Parkway|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/04/archives/2-miles-of-beach-open-in-rockaway-maze-of-narrow-streets-and.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313103604/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/04/archives/2-miles-of-beach-open-in-rockaway-maze-of-narrow-streets-and.html|url-status=live}} By 1941, jukeboxes were banned from the boardwalk,{{Cite news|date=August 1, 1941|title=Jitterbug Exterminator; Fines Silence Juke Boxes on Rockaway Beach Boardwalk|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/08/01/archives/jitterbug-exterminator-fines-silence-juke-boxes-on-rockaway-beach.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145140/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/08/01/archives/jitterbug-exterminator-fines-silence-juke-boxes-on-rockaway-beach.html|url-status=live}} as was bicycling during the summer.{{Cite news|date=May 2, 1941|title=Resort Cyclists Fined; 30 Boardwalk Riders at Rockaway Beach Pay $1 Each|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/02/archives/resort-cyclists-fined-30-boardwalk-riders-at-rockaway-beach-pay-1.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145109/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/05/02/archives/resort-cyclists-fined-30-boardwalk-riders-at-rockaway-beach-pay-1.html|url-status=live}}

Four municipal parking lots at Beach 32nd, 52nd, 64th, and 69th Streets were opened within the park in 1948. During that time, the boardwalk between Beach 73rd and 85th Streets, and east of Beach 33rd Street, was reconstructed for $200,000.{{Cite news|date=July 2, 1948|title=Parking to Aid Bathers; Four New Fields Completed at Rockaway Beach|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/07/02/archives/parking-to-aid-bathers-four-new-fields-completed-at-rockaway-beach.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145156/https://www.nytimes.com/1948/07/02/archives/parking-to-aid-bathers-four-new-fields-completed-at-rockaway-beach.html|url-status=live}} Moses announced the construction of another three parking lots in the park in 1950, at Beach 55th–59th, 62nd–63rd, and 67th–68th Streets, as well as landscaping along the boardwalk.{{Cite news|date=April 5, 1950|title=Rockaway to Get 3 Parking Fields; Board Appropriates $270,600 for Lots to Accommodate 715 Cars at Resort|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/04/05/archives/rockaway-to-get-3-parking-fields-board-appropriates-270600-for-lots.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145110/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/04/05/archives/rockaway-to-get-3-parking-fields-board-appropriates-270600-for-lots.html|url-status=live}} These seven parking lots were intended to serve as children's play areas outside of the summer season, and Moses rejected attempts to install parking meters in these parking lots.{{cite book|last1=Kaplan|first1=Lawrence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkR7XDsAXOoC|title=Between Ocean and City: The Transformation of Rockaway, New York|last2=Kaplan|first2=Carol P.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-231-12848-3|series=Columbia history of urban life|access-date=August 30, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145110/https://books.google.com/books?id=vkR7XDsAXOoC|url-status=live}}{{Rp|74}} During the mid-20th century, Rockaway Beach was seen as one of the best surfing places in the New York metropolitan area. In the 1950s, the beach employed a lifeguard force of 258, among the world's largest.{{Rp|173}}

The beach suffered from considerable erosion, despite the presence of 115 jetties along the beach. The erosion had caused {{Convert|115|acre||abbr=}} of beach to wash away between 1947 and 1955.{{Cite news|last=Grutzner|first=Charles|date=February 2, 1955|title=Sea Chews Away at City's Beaches; Parts of Rockaway Become Unsafe as Old Jetties Are Uncovered by Erosion|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/02/02/archives/sea-chews-away-at-citys-beaches-parts-of-rockaway-become-unsafe-as.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145141/https://www.nytimes.com/1955/02/02/archives/sea-chews-away-at-citys-beaches-parts-of-rockaway-become-unsafe-as.html|url-status=live}} The New York State Department of Public Works commenced a multi-year project in 1955 to combat this erosion, including adding forty groins and transferring {{Convert|1,250,000|yd3||abbr=}} of fill onto the beach to create a barrier.{{Rp|74}}{{Cite news|last=Bennett|first=Charles G.|date=August 23, 1959|title=New Beach Work Set at Rockaway: $900,000 Step in Over-all Anti-erosion Program Will Build Four Groins|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/23/archives/new-beach-work-set-at-rockaway-900000-step-in-overall-antierosion.html|access-date=August 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312123419/https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/23/archives/new-beach-work-set-at-rockaway-900000-step-in-overall-antierosion.html|url-status=live}} By 1959, Moses had extended the beach eastward {{Convert|0.5|mi||abbr=}} to Beach 9th Street, and commenced work for O'Donohue Park alongside the new stretch of beach, which opened in 1961.{{Rp|74}} Part of the boardwalk in Arverne was burned down in 1960{{Cite news|date=May 17, 1960|title=Rockaway Fire Sweeps 400 Feet of Boardwalk|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/05/17/archives/rockaway-fire-sweeps-400-feet-of-boardwalk.html|access-date=August 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145111/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/05/17/archives/rockaway-fire-sweeps-400-feet-of-boardwalk.html|url-status=live}} and was subsequently rebuilt.{{cite news|date=August 31, 1960|title=Plan Repairs to Boardwalk|page=456|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58227714/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145111/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58227714/plan-repairs-to-boardwalk/|url-status=live}} As part of the construction of O'Donohue Park, a section of concrete boardwalk from Beach 9th to 19th Street was built in the early 1960s. This section was constructed with a budget of $1.373 million.{{cite news|last1=Miele|first1=Alfred|last2=Walling|first2=Charles|date=March 8, 1962|title=2 More Pushcart Marts to Trundle into the Past|page=586|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58293367/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58293367/2-more-pushcart-marts-to-trundle-into/|url-status=live}}

= 1970s to 2000s =

File:Rockaway Boardwalk jeh.JPG

Repairs costing $115,000 were made to the boardwalk in the late 1960s or early 1970s. However, by 1971, NYC Parks was considering replacing the wooden planks with plastic or concrete due to the high maintenance cost of the wooden planks, which were deteriorating. The central Rockaways were in decline at the time, and fewer concessions were operating on the boardwalk every year.{{Cite news|last=Shipler|first=David K.|date=April 25, 1971|title=Wooden Boardwalk at Rockaway May Be Replaced by Plastic|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/25/archives/wooden-boardwalk-at-rockaway-may-be-replaced-by-plastic-sixmile.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921004400/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/25/archives/wooden-boardwalk-at-rockaway-may-be-replaced-by-plastic-sixmile.html|url-status=live}} Further, because of erosion of the beach, water would go under the boardwalk at high tide, and some stairs from the boardwalk led to steep drop-offs where the beach formerly was.{{cite news|last=Pousner|first=Michael|date=May 26, 1972|title=Our beaches are on the ropes as the swimming season opens|page=50|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350086/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350086/our-beaches-are-on-the-ropes-as-the/|url-status=live}} Thirteen blocks of the beach had eroded away by 1973, forcing the closure of parts of the beach in the Edgemere and Rockaway Beach neighborhoods,{{Cite news|last=Singer|first=Glenn R.|date=June 3, 1973|title=13 Blocks of Rockaway's Beach Closed by Erosion|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/03/archives/13-blocks-of-rockaways-beach-closed-by-erosion-some-street-caveins.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145139/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/03/archives/13-blocks-of-rockaways-beach-closed-by-erosion-some-street-caveins.html|url-status=live}} and the boardwalk had become dilapidated.{{Rp|174}}{{Cite news|last=Johnston|first=Laurie|date=September 29, 1973|title=Eroded Rockaway Is Hoping for a Revival|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/29/archives/eroded-rockaway-is-hoping-for-a-revival-eroded-rockaway-is-hoping.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524014527/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/29/archives/eroded-rockaway-is-hoping-for-a-revival-eroded-rockaway-is-hoping.html|url-status=live}} To remedy this issue, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) started preparing a hurricane-protection and water-purification project for the Rockaways.{{cite news|last=O'Flaherty|first=Mary|date=March 4, 1973|title=Will Rockaways Fall A-sweep in the Deep?|page=181|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58294298/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145112/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58294298/will-rockaways-fall-a-sweep-in-the-deep/|url-status=live}} A plank replacement project, commenced in 1975, was stopped later that year due to the city's 1975 fiscal crisis.{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Glenn|date=December 14, 1975|title=Additional Projects Are Cut|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/14/archives/brooklyn-pages-additional-projects-are-cut.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145112/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/14/archives/brooklyn-pages-additional-projects-are-cut.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=White|first=Joyce|date=February 7, 1977|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Strolls Into $|page=304|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58294447/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145112/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58294447/rockaway-boardwalk-strolls-into/|url-status=live}} Work on the plank replacement restarted in 1977 as part of a $19 million investment in parks citywide.

During the late 20th century, the boardwalk also became known for dangerous incidents, including wild dog attacks.{{Rp|174}} A large segment in Edgemere and Arverne abutted vacant lots,{{Cite news|last=Rather|first=John|date=August 9, 1987|title=If You're Thinking of Living in; Far Rockaway|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/09/realestate/if-youre-thinking-of-living-in-far-rockaway.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145144/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/09/realestate/if-youre-thinking-of-living-in-far-rockaway.html|url-status=live}} which were still extant during the 2010s. The last of the amusements that once occupied the boardwalk, Rockaways' Playland, closed in 1987.{{Cite news|last=Hevesi|first=Dennis|date=December 7, 2003|title=In Rockaways, a Tide Is Coming In|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/07/realestate/in-rockaways-a-tide-is-coming-in.html|access-date=August 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426035121/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/07/realestate/in-rockaways-a-tide-is-coming-in.html|url-status=live}} However, the New York Daily News reported in 1980 that Rockaway Beach was cleaner than Coney Island's beach, in part because of large cleaning crews and because of the park's proximity to the Edgemere Landfill.{{cite news|last=Greene|first=Mel|date=June 15, 1980|title=Litter Bugging Rockaway Beach|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58292649/ 411], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58292609/ 428]|work=New York Daily News|via=newspapers.com}}

The Far Rockaway section of the boardwalk was renamed in honor of local resident Helen Leonescu in 1983.{{cite news|last=Rabin|first=Bernard|date=August 17, 1983|title=Plan boardwalk name in Leonescu memory|page=183|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58292939/|access-date=August 27, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58292939/plan-boardwalk-name-in-leonescu-memory/|url-status=live}} USACE refilled the beach every two years between 1980 and 1988.{{Rp|1.2}} The beach further eroded following the December 1992 nor'easter, although the boardwalk remained relatively intact.{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Rose|date=March 8, 1993|title=Closeup: Rockaways Await Aid For Beach Seek sand for summer|page=21|work=Newsday|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/278612967/345D3D3A17224854PQ|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 30, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145121/https://www.proquest.com/docview/278612967/345D3D3A17224854PQ|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Donohue|first=Pete|date=January 16, 1994|title=Holding on to coast|page=483|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350312/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350312/holding-on-to-coast/|url-status=live}} Because of this erosion, the section of the park between Beach 26th and 36th Streets was closed to the public for at least three years.{{cite news|last=Donohue|first=Pete|date=April 21, 1995|title=No days at these beaches: 10-block stretch in Rockaway|page=2010|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350547/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58350547/10-block-stretch-in-rockaway/|url-status=live}} USACE subsequently refilled the beach between 1995 and 2004.{{Rp|1.2}} The boardwalk was renovated during the 1990s with the construction of new play structures between Beach 82nd and 86th Streets, repairs to the boardwalk, installation of spray showers and drinking fountains, and restoration of the bus shelters beside the boardwalk. That boardwalk section reopened in 1999 for the first time in 25 years. Workers also rebuilt the section between Beach 109th and 116th Streets in 1999 at a cost of $600,000.{{cite news|last=Serant|first=Claire|date=April 26, 1999|title=Boardwalk Fix Leaves Rockaways Wanting|page=1|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/313645360/345D3D3A17224854PQ/|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145153/https://www.proquest.com/docview/313645360/345D3D3A17224854PQ/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Toy|first=Vivian S.|date=July 4, 1999|title=In the Rockaways, Hope for a Revival|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/04/nyregion/in-the-rockaways-hope-for-a-revival.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918114600/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/04/nyregion/in-the-rockaways-hope-for-a-revival.html|url-status=live}} The first surfing beaches in the city opened along Rockaway Beach, at Beach 90th Street in 2005 and at Beach 67th Street in 2007.{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Timothy|date=July 27, 2007|title=Surf's Up, Dude: Hanging 10 Again in the Rockaways|url=https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/surfs-up-again-dude-hanging-10-in-the-rockaways/|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=City Room|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421104905/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/surfs-up-again-dude-hanging-10-in-the-rockaways/|url-status=live}} There was little commerce along the park's path by the first decade of the 21st century, and its route was characterized mainly by residential buildings and open space.{{cite news|last1=Dziemianowicz|first1=Joe|last2=Ingrassia|first2=Michele|last3=Young|first3=Dana|last4=Persico|first4=Chrissy|date=June 15, 2003|title=Life is a Beach at Least on NYC's Four Boardwalks It is Down by the Sea Once-crumbling Relics of Another Era, City Boardwalks Are Alive and Swell|page=2|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/305821370/66790DD5BC514167P/|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=ProQuest|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145121/https://www.proquest.com/docview/305821370/66790DD5BC514167P|url-status=live}}

= 2010s to present =

File:Smashed boardwalk end RB Sandy jeh.jpg

A feasibility study of storm protections along the beach was ordered in 2003, but there was not enough money to conduct such a study.{{Cite news|last=Goodman|first=J. David|date=May 24, 2018|title=City Studied Rockaway Erosion, Found No Issue. Then It Closed the Beach.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/nyregion/nyc-erosion-rockaways-beach-closed.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035816/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/24/nyregion/nyc-erosion-rockaways-beach-closed.html|url-status=live}} The boardwalk was damaged in August 2011 during Hurricane Irene, particularly around Beach 95th Street, where the planks had been "split like an open zipper", according to New York City Council member Eric Ulrich.{{cite web | title=How Badly Were The Rockaways Damaged By Irene? | first=Jamie | last=Feldmar | website=Gothamist | date=2011-08-31 | url=http://gothamist.com/news/how-badly-were-the-rockaways-damaged-by-irene | access-date=2021-06-15 | archive-date=August 14, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145117/https://gothamist.com/news/how-badly-were-the-rockaways-damaged-by-irene | url-status=live }} As a result, NYC Parks conducted a $3.8 million rebuilding project for the summer 2012 season.{{cite news|last=Colangelo|first=Lisa L.|date=May 15, 2012|title=Planks very much! Rockaway boardwalk is getting fixed|page=34|work=New York Daily News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58339914/|access-date=August 29, 2020|via=newspapers.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145147/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58339914/planks-very-much-rockaway-boardwalk-is/|url-status=live}}

== Hurricane Sandy damage ==

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the Rockaway Boardwalk.{{cite web|last1=Wyler|first1=Grace|last2=Goodman|first2=Daniel|date=January 6, 2013|title=More Than Two Months Since Hurricane Sandy, Here's What It STILL Looks Like On Rockaway Beach|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-what-it-still-looks-like-in-rockaway-beach-2013-1|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Business Insider|archive-date=October 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025091602/http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-what-it-still-looks-like-in-rockaway-beach-2013-1|url-status=live}} The most impacted parts of the boardwalk were between Beach 80th and 106th Streets, where some planks were tossed into nearby houses. In the aftermath of the hurricane, several entities disagreed over how the wood should be reused. Michael Bloomberg, the New York City mayor at the time, announced in December 2012 that the boardwalk would be rebuilt in concrete rather than wood. Four of the concrete sections that had been rebuilt before the hurricane had suffered relatively little damage compared to the wooden sections, which were almost completely destroyed.{{Cite news|last=Robbins|first=Liz|date=November 30, 2012|title=Mayor Says Rebuilt Boardwalk in Rockaways Won't Be Wooden|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/nyregion/bloomberg-says-no-more-wooden-boardwalks-in-rockaways.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001173551/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/nyregion/bloomberg-says-no-more-wooden-boardwalks-in-rockaways.html|url-status=live}} The wooden boardwalk between Beach 9th and 60th Streets, a {{Convert|2.5|mi||abbr=|adj=on}} stretch, was also relatively undamaged, except for a four-block gap between Beach 35th and 39th Streets. The beach was also depleted, although many Rockaways residents had stated that, for several years before Hurricane Sandy, the beach had been eroding slowly.{{Cite news|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=February 28, 2014|title=In Rockaways, Infusion of Sand Will Soon Raise Beaches Hit by a Hurricane|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/nyregion/in-rockaways-infusion-of-sand-will-soon-raise-beaches-hit-by-hurricane-sandy.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041704/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/01/nyregion/in-rockaways-infusion-of-sand-will-soon-raise-beaches-hit-by-hurricane-sandy.html|url-status=live}} Sand from the beach had landed on people's yards and on nearby streets, while personal property had been tossed onto the shore.{{Cite news|last=Dwyer|first=Jim|date=February 7, 2013|title=In Teeth of Winter, Fixing a Broken Beach for Summer|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/nyregion/for-restorers-of-rockaway-beach-summer-is-almost-here.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617014852/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/08/nyregion/for-restorers-of-rockaway-beach-summer-is-almost-here.html|url-status=live}}

Despite the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the city promised to open all its public beaches by Memorial Day in May 2013, including Rockaway Beach, where temporary beach access points were set up.{{Cite news|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=May 24, 2013|title=All of City's Public Swimming Beaches to Reopen by Memorial Day|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/nyregion/all-of-citys-public-swimming-beaches-to-reopen.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107064702/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/nyregion/all-of-citys-public-swimming-beaches-to-reopen.html|url-status=live}} The city restored some of the sand and added snow fence to prevent the sand from blowing back out. New modular comfort stations and lifeguard booths were also installed along the length of the park starting in 2013.{{cite web|last=Colangelo|first=Lisa L.|date=May 20, 2013|title=Rockaway beaches readying to open Saturday after $140 million effort to repair Sandy's destruction|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rockaway-beaches-readying-open-friday-article-1.1349350|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=New York Daily News|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403063756/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rockaway-beaches-readying-open-friday-article-1.1349350|url-status=live}} City officials also announced that they would construct temporary platforms, or "islands", at Beach 86th, 97th, 106th, and 116th Streets, allowing residents to access the beach for the 2013 season.{{Rp|page=84}}{{cite web |last=Harpaz |first=Beth J. |date=July 14, 2013 |title=A look at Coney Island and Rockaway Beach post-Sandy |url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2013/07/14/a-look-at-coney-island-and-rockaway-beach-post-sandy/31923199007/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=Ocala Star-Banner}}

== Complete reconstruction ==

By September 2013, the city estimated that a reconstruction of the beach and boardwalk would cost $200 million. The rebuilding, overseen by CH2M Hill, would entail the replacement of the entire boardwalk as well as the addition of {{Convert|50,000|ft||abbr=}} of railings.{{Cite news|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=September 27, 2013|title=Reimagining a Boardwalk, This Time in Concrete|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/nyregion/reimagining-a-boardwalk-this-time-in-concrete.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001145402/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/nyregion/reimagining-a-boardwalk-this-time-in-concrete.html|url-status=live}} The boardwalk project, to cost $274 million, was divided into five phases from west to east, the first of which was to begin in early 2014.{{Rp|3E-22}} The section between Beach 35th and 39th Streets was initially rebuilt in wood to match the undamaged portions on either side; ultimately, the entire boardwalk was to be permanently rebuilt in concrete.{{Rp|1.4}} Many sections of the boardwalk would be raised to an elevation above 100-year flood levels, requiring the reconstruction of the relatively undamaged sections as well.{{Rp|1.6 to 1.7}} Skanska was hired as the major contractor for the boardwalk project. Construction was funded by a $480 million grant that the Federal Emergency Management Agency distributed to New York City's government in 2015.{{cite web|date=January 8, 2016|title=Skanska to continue Rockaway, NY, boardwalk reconstruction with $64M contract|url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/skanska-to-continue-rockaway-ny-boardwalk-reconstruction-with-64m-contra/411769/|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=Construction Dive|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830194440/https://www.constructiondive.com/news/skanska-to-continue-rockaway-ny-boardwalk-reconstruction-with-64m-contra/411769/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=April 6, 2015|title=Contractor Gets Extra $25M to Finish Rockaway Boardwalk on Time|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150406/rockaway-beach/contractor-gets-extra-25m-finish-rockaway-boardwalk-on-time|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108122128/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150406/rockaway-beach/contractor-gets-extra-25m-finish-rockaway-boardwalk-on-time/|url-status=dead}}

The start of work on the boardwalk's reconstruction was delayed because of several factors. The 2013 United States federal government shutdown delayed the allocation of funding, and plans also had to be revised to accommodate new flood-proofing features.{{cite web|date=October 9, 2013|title=Government Shutdown, New Features Delay Rebuilding of Rockaway Boardwalk - Rockaway Beach - New York|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131009/rockaway-beach/government-shutdown-new-features-delay-rebuilding-of-rockaway-boardwalk|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=DNAinfo|archive-date=November 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111171108/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131009/rockaway-beach/government-shutdown-new-features-delay-rebuilding-of-rockaway-boardwalk|url-status=dead}} The corroded foundations also had to be replaced,{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=December 12, 2013|title=Corroded Pilings Further Delay Rockaway Boardwalk Reconstruction|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131212/rockaway-beach/corroded-pilings-further-delay-rockaway-boardwalk-reconstruction|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111214652/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20131212/rockaway-beach/corroded-pilings-further-delay-rockaway-boardwalk-reconstruction/|url-status=dead}} and construction had to take place outside of the mating season of the piping plover, an endangered species that nested on the beach between April and September.{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=January 15, 2014|title=Rockaway Boardwalk Project Delayed by Rare Bird Nesting|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140115/far-rockaway/rockaway-boardwalk-project-delayed-by-piping-plover-nesting|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131822/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140115/far-rockaway/rockaway-boardwalk-project-delayed-by-piping-plover-nesting/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Siudzinski|first=Erica|date=April 19, 2016|title=These cute birds are holding up boardwalk construction in Rockaway Beach|url=https://qns.com/story/2016/04/19/these-cute-little-birds-are-holding-up-boardwalk-construction-in-rockaway-beach/|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=QNS.com|archive-date=September 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043631/https://qns.com/story/2016/04/19/these-cute-little-birds-are-holding-up-boardwalk-construction-in-rockaway-beach/|url-status=live}} In February 2014, a contractor started adding {{Convert|2900000|yd3||abbr=}} of sand as an anti-erosion measure, enough to raise the beach by {{Convert|10|to|14|ft|abbr=}}.{{Rp|1.2 to 1.3}} Simultaneously, a controversy arose around the comfort stations; though some of the modules had not been installed yet, several modules were visibly rusting.{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=March 4, 2014|title=Cost of Controversial Beach Shacks Increases by $8.5M|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140304/rockaway-beach/price-tag-for-controversial-beach-shacks-increased-by-85m|access-date=August 29, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025451/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140304/rockaway-beach/price-tag-for-controversial-beach-shacks-increased-by-85m/|url-status=dead}} The first rebuilt section between Beach 86th and 97th Streets opened in May 2015.{{Cite news|last=Semple|first=Kirk|date=May 22, 2015|title=Boardwalk Returns to Rockaways in Time for Beach Season|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/23/nyregion/boardwalk-returns-to-rockaways-in-time-for-beach-season.html|access-date=August 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105117/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/23/nyregion/boardwalk-returns-to-rockaways-in-time-for-beach-season.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=May 22, 2015|title=First Section Of New Rockaway Boardwalk Unveiled By De Blasio|url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/05/22/de-blasio-rockaway-beach/|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=CBS New York|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322013220/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/05/22/de-blasio-rockaway-beach/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Gay|first=Mara|date=May 23, 2015|title=Step by Step, a Boardwalk Re-Emerges|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/step-by-step-a-boardwalk-re-emerges-1432341153|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906224040/http://www.wsj.com/articles/step-by-step-a-boardwalk-re-emerges-1432341153|url-status=live}} The entire length of the boardwalk reopened in July 2016. The rebuilding of the boardwalk was finished in May 2017, with the completion of the final section between Beach 19th and 39th Streets.{{Cite web|title=City Completes Reconstruction of 5.5 Mile Rockaway Boardwalk, Destroyed in Hurricane Sandy|publisher=New York City Department of Parks & Recreation|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/pressrelease/21464|access-date=August 24, 2020|archive-date=September 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906131242/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk/pressrelease/21464|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Honan|first=Katie|date=May 26, 2017|title=Rebuilt Rockaway Boardwalk Finally Complete, Nearly 5 Years After Hurricane|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170526/rockaway-beach/rockaway-boardwalk-complete-hurricane-sandy-rebuild|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=DNAinfo New York|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001201730/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170526/rockaway-beach/rockaway-boardwalk-complete-hurricane-sandy-rebuild/|url-status=dead}} The next year, the reconstruction received the American Planning Association's National Planning Achievement Award for Urban Design.{{cite web|last=Parry|first=Bill|date=April 17, 2018|title=Rockaway boardwalk reconstruction project wins national planning achievement award|url=https://qns.com/story/2018/04/17/rockaway-boardwalk-reconstruction-project-wins-national-planning-achievement-award/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=QNS.com|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814145119/https://qns.com/2018/04/rockaway-boardwalk-reconstruction-project-wins-national-planning-achievement-award/|url-status=live}}

Some of the sand from the beach had already eroded by 2017, and the USACE had secured $400 million for further beach improvements, part of a $4 billion project to flood-proof the Rockaways.{{Cite news|last=Ferré-Sadurní|first=Luis|date=July 13, 2017|title=Could the Rockaways Survive Another Sandy?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/nyregion/rockaways-beaches-hurricane-sandy.html|access-date=August 27, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109042155/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/nyregion/rockaways-beaches-hurricane-sandy.html|url-status=live}} The city conducted a study in November 2017, finding that despite the erosion, the beach was wider than at almost any other time in the previous century. Despite this, the beach between Beach 91st and 102nd Streets was temporarily closed at the start of the summer season in May 2018, with reopening not expected for several years.{{cite web | last=Warerkar | first=Tanay | title=Section of Rockaway Beach will shutter this summer to beachgoers | website=Curbed NY | date=2018-05-22 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/5/22/17379650/rockaway-beach-partial-closure-summer-2018 | access-date=2021-06-15 | archive-date=November 9, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034403/https://ny.curbed.com/2018/5/22/17379650/rockaway-beach-partial-closure-summer-2018 | url-status=live }} A small portion between Beach 96th and 98th Streets was reopened the next month.{{cite web|last=Tieu|first=Van|date=June 30, 2018|title=A closed section of Rockaway Beach has reopened|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/06/30/closed-section-of-rockaway-beach-reopens-to-the-public|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City|archive-date=December 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211014026/http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/06/30/closed-section-of-rockaway-beach-reopens-to-the-public|url-status=live}} The Rockaway Beach Skate Park along the boardwalk, which was severely damaged in Hurricane Sandy, reopened in August 2020 after several years of delays surrounding the skate park's reconstruction.{{Cite web|last=McFadden|first=Katie|date=August 27, 2020|title=Time to Grind! Rockaway Beach Skate Park is Open!|url=https://rockawaytimes.com/index.php/columns/6887-time-to-grind-rockaway-beach-skate-park-is-open|access-date=September 1, 2020|website=rockawaytimes.com|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924084404/http://rockawaytimes.com/index.php/columns/6887-time-to-grind-rockaway-beach-skate-park-is-open|url-status=live}} In May 2022, city officials announced that portions of Rockaway Beach would be closed that summer so the USACE could reconstruct those sections, which had been affected by erosion.{{cite web | last=Parry | first=Bill | title=Electeds 'outraged' to learn stretch of Rockaway Beach will be closed for much of the summer – QNS.com | website=QNS.com | date=May 10, 2022 | url=https://qns.com/2022/05/stretch-of-rockaway-beach-closed-much-of-summer/ | access-date=May 15, 2022 | archive-date=May 14, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514191836/https://qns.com/2022/05/stretch-of-rockaway-beach-closed-much-of-summer/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Brosnan | first=Erica | title=Beach closures coming to Rockaway this summer | website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City | date=May 13, 2022 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/05/13/beach-closures-coming-to-rockaway-this-summer | access-date=May 15, 2022 | archive-date=May 13, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513143918/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/05/13/beach-closures-coming-to-rockaway-this-summer | url-status=live }} That July, the Shore Front Parkway Adventure Course opened next to the boardwalk between Beach 101st and 102nd Streets.{{cite web | title=Shore Front Parkway Adventure Course opens for beachgoers at Rockaway Beach as part of Superstorm Sandy rebuild | website=ABC7 New York | date=July 20, 2022 | url=https://abc7ny.com/shore-front-parkway-adventure-course-rockaway-beach-queens-pickleball/12063033/ | access-date=August 13, 2022 | archive-date=July 22, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722043428/https://abc7ny.com/shore-front-parkway-adventure-course-rockaway-beach-queens-pickleball/12063033/ | url-status=live }}

NYC Parks announced in May 2023 that it was adding or renovating six recreational spaces along the Rockaway peninsula, including four along Rockaway Beach, as part of a $33 million program. At the time, three projects had been finished, including two on the beach: a reconstruction of the Beach 59th Street Playground and a seating area between Beach 92nd and Beach 94th Streets. Two of the three remaining projects also faced the beach: a recreational area with volleyball courts at Shore Front Parkway and Beach 77th Street, and another playground at Beach 98th Street.{{cite web | last=Gebbia | first=Charles | title=NYC Parks announces $33 million in renovations for parks in Rockaway Peninsula | website=The Architect’s Newspaper | date=May 25, 2023 | url=https://www.archpaper.com/2023/05/nyc-parks-announces-33-million-renovations-rockaway-peninsula/ | access-date=June 5, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Marcos | first=Coral Murphy | title=Rockaway Beach Opens With New Upgrades Just In Time For The Summer | website=Queens, NY Patch | date=May 26, 2023 | url=https://patch.com/new-york/queens/rockaway-beach-opens-new-upgrades-just-time-summer | access-date=June 5, 2023}} A new amphitheater between Beach 94th and Beach 95th Streets opened the same month. In 2025, NYC Parks proposed banning cyclists from the boardwalk between Beach 73rd and Beach 108th Streets during the summer;{{cite web | last=Quigley | first=Liam | title=NYC is banning bicycles from high-traffic stretch on Rockaway boardwalk this summer | website=Gothamist | date=April 18, 2025 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-is-banning-bicycles-from-part-of-rockaway-boardwalk-this-summer | access-date=April 19, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Leach | first=Olivia | title=Bikes to be banned on stretch of Rockaway boardwalk during busy hours | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=April 19, 2025 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2025/04/19/new-bike-rule-coming-to-rockaway-boardwalk | access-date=April 25, 2025}} the ban was later reversed.{{cite web | title=Summer bike ban for Rockaway Boardwalk gets scaled back | website=Yahoo News | date=May 14, 2025 | url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/summer-bike-ban-rockaway-boardwalk-231513279.html | access-date=May 16, 2025}} A portion of the beach near Beach 116th Street reopened in June 2025 after being rebuilt.{{cite web | last=Clark | first=Nia | title=New Yorkers celebrate holiday at newly renovated stretch of Rockaway Beach | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=July 4, 2025 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2025/07/04/new-yorkers-celebrate-holiday-at-newly-renovated-stretch-of-rockaway-beach | access-date=July 7, 2025}}

Impact

The park was the inspiration for the Ramones' 1977 song "Rockaway Beach".{{Cite news|last=Maloney|first=Field|date=June 8, 2003|title=Neighborhood Report: the Rockaways; City Hall's Had Too Much Sun, Say Residents About Beach Rules|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/08/nyregion/neighborhood-report-rockaways-city-hall-s-had-too-much-sun-say-residents-about.html|access-date=August 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609042429/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/08/nyregion/neighborhood-report-rockaways-city-hall-s-had-too-much-sun-say-residents-about.html|url-status=live}} The song, on their 1977 album Rocket to Russia, became the American punk rock group's highest-charting single, peaking at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100. Written in the surf rock style of the Beach Boys and other similar bands, the song was composed by the group's bassist, Dee Dee Ramone, who liked to spend time on the beach.{{cite web|title=From 'Forest Hills: Birthplace of Punk' to 'Rock Rock Rockaway Beach'|url=https://queensmuseum.org/events/from-forest-hills-birthplace-of-punk-to-rock-rock-rockaway-beach|access-date=August 30, 2020|publisher=Queens Museum|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806144836/http://queensmuseum.org/events/from-forest-hills-birthplace-of-punk-to-rock-rock-rockaway-beach|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|date=July 7, 2007|title=Surf, Surf, Surf Away at Rockaway Beach|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/jamaica-bay-and-the-rockaways/pressrelease/19926|access-date=August 30, 2020|publisher=New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806170314/https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/jamaica-bay-and-the-rockaways/pressrelease/19926|url-status=live}} In June 2013, the song was used in a radio ad campaign sponsored by the Queens Economic Development Corporation to promote recovery from Hurricane Sandy by drawing New Yorkers back to Rockaway Beach.{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=James|date=June 3, 2013|title=Radio ad campaign to use Ramones hit 'Rockaway Beach' to lure visitors back to the shorefront devastated by Hurricane Sandy|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/ramones-rockaway-beach-ad-campaign-woo-visitors-sandy-article-1.1362192|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=New York Daily News|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303124428/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/ramones-rockaway-beach-ad-campaign-woo-visitors-sandy-article-1.1362192|url-status=live}}

Travel + Leisure magazine ranked Rockaway Beach as one of the U.S.'s best beaches in 2024.{{cite web | last=Hoogensen | first=Finn | title=2 NYC beaches among best in US: Travel + Leisure | website=PIX11 | date=April 24, 2024 | url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/2-nyc-beaches-are-among-best-in-us-travel-leisure/ | access-date=April 25, 2024}} In its ranking, the magazine said that "This may not be a palm-tree-lined idyll, but for New Yorkers who can hop on a subway or bus to reach its white sand, five-mile boardwalk, and surf-worthy waves, it's heaven."{{cite web | last=Doherty | first=Patricia | title=The 25 Best Beaches in the US | website=Travel + Leisure | date=May 20, 2020 | url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/best-beaches-in-the-us | access-date=April 25, 2024}}

References

External links

{{Official website|https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/rockaway-beach-and-boardwalk}}

Category:Beaches of Queens, New York

Category:Parks in Queens, New York

Category:Rockaway, Queens

Category:Urban public parks