Part Of Rockaway Beach To Close This Summer Due To Safety Issues

FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS -- A popular strip along one of New Yorkers' favorite summer getaways will be closed off this summer after the city deemed erosion could make it unsafe for swimmers.

The city will shut down 11 blocks of Rockaway Beach this summer between Beach 91st Street and Beach 102nd Street to maintain a protective dune built in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the NYC Parks & Recreation Department announced on Monday.

The dune covers parts of the blocked off beach that were previously used for recreation and, combined with increasing erosion problems, doesn't allow "enough beach area to safely operate swimming and recreation activities in this area," according to the agency.

"This decision was made in the interest of safety, and that will always remain our top priority," said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.

Queens lawmakers were quick to blast the decision, which comes less than a week before New York City beaches are set to open on May 26.

Borough President Melina Katz called the closure "unacceptable" in a statement Monday night.

“The city’s immediate plans for the Rockaways will significantly hurt the local community and Queens economy during the vital visitor season of the summer months, and shortchange one of the largest tourist attractions in the city,” Katz said. “The Rockaways deserve better.”

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) also expressed frustration with the decision in a statement Tuesday morning.

"The Army Corps of Engineers knew that this portion of the beach needed attention and should have acted years ago to remedy this situation," Addabbo said. "Now, the people and businesses of Rockaway that depend on the summer season will suffer because of their lack of action."

A portion of the beach near the concessions and bathrooms at 97th Street will stay open through the summer, but visitors won't be allowed in the water, city officials said.

Rockaway Beach's full boardwalk and surfing area from Beach 88th to Beach 91st streets will also remain open, along with around 4.5 miles of swimming and recreation beaches, according to NYC Parks.

The agency will also post signage at subway stops, ferry landings and along the boardwalk directing visitors to the nearest accessable beach.

Silver said NYC Parks will keep working with Mayor Bill de Blasio's office and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a long-term solution to manage the erosion with dunes and groins while also replenishing sand along the strip.

A final report on the construction is expected by November, which would allow work in the Rockaways to start as early as next year on the Atlantic side and Jamaica Bay neighborhoods, city officials said.

"The rebirth of Rockaway Beach stands as a symbol of this community's strength and determination to move forward after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, so having to close even just a small portion of it is very difficult for us," Silver said.

(Lead image: A man sunbathes at Rockaway Beach, parts of which the city will close this summer due to safety concerns. Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)