Manhattan’s very own public beach will open this summer

Although New York is best known for its towering skyscrapers and busy districts, this city is also home to many public beaches. They span a total of 14 miles and allow New Yorkers to escape the summer heat. Most people, even those who live outside New York City, have probably heard about the Coney Island Beach that made a cameo in the 2015 period drama Brooklyn.

The list of public beaches includes Orchard Beach in the Bronx, Rockaway Beach in Queens, Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island, and more. This summer, Manhattan, the only NYC borough without a public beach, is finally getting its own sandy retreat. The long-anticipated Gansevoort Peninsula project is set to open to the public in the summer of 2023.

“Built on solid ground (as opposed to a pier), Gansevoort will be developed into a large green oasis, complete with a resilient “beach” on the southern side that will provide River access to kayakers and other small boaters, as well as a place for lounging and River views,” the Hudson River Park website reads.

The 5.5-acre park is located on the shores of the Hudson River in the Meatpacking District. Guests of Gansevoort Peninsula will have access to boardwalks, a soccer field, a sandy beach with a kayak launch, a salt marsh, a dog run, and an adult fitness area. Although swimming is not permitted, this public beach could become a great location for relaxing and sunbathing in the hot summer days.

The Hudson River Park Trust announced plans for Manhattan's first public beach in 2019. The nonprofit commissioned James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York City’s High Line, to design this project. According to Gothamist, in 2021, the neighboring Whitney Museum of American Art installed an art piece, "Day's End," by David Hammons, at the Gansevoort Peninsula.

Resources:

“Gansevoort Peninsula,” (Hudson River Park)

“Manhattan’s First Public Beach Is Coming in 2023,” by Katherine McLaughlin (Architectural Digest, 2023)

“Manhattan’s first public beach will open this summer,” by Audrey Wachs (The Architect’s Newspaper, 2023)

“Here's What Manhattan's First Public Beach Will Look Like,” by Meena Thiruvengadam (Travel+Leisure, 2021)

“Construction On Manhattan's First Public Beach To Begin This Spring,” by Christopher Robbins (Gothamist, 2021)