Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and over 200 children from local public schools announced the opening of the City’s 14 miles of beaches today at South Beach on Staten Island.  The City’s beaches will be open from this Saturday, May 27th, through Labor Day Weekend, and will offer New Yorkers a free and fun way to cool down and enjoy themselves during the hot summer months.
 
“Last summer a record 21 million estimated visitors headed to the City's seven beaches,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Some days it can be easy to forget that our City is surrounded by water, but our 14 miles of beaches are a big part of what makes summer in the City so much fun.   I am happy to announce that our beaches will officially open this weekend.  There’s no better way to escape the heat than by visiting one of our beaches during the upcoming summer days.”

“Staten Island’s beaches are better than ever, thanks to the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg,” said Borough President Molinaro. “Together we have provided funding and support to ensure our beaches are enjoyable for young and old alike. The renaissance of the South Beach Boardwalk is just one example. So there’s no need to fight traffic, pay tolls and use the beaches out-of-state. Staten Island is the place to be for summer fun.”

“New York City’s beaches are in great shape, and we look forward to a fun and safe summer,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “We remind beach-goers to observe all beach rules and regulations, carefully monitor children at all times, and especially to never go in the water when there is not a lifeguard on duty.”

City's beaches have undergone significant renovations over the last four years.  At Orchard Beach in the Bronx, the City built a new lifeguard station and locker rooms.  At Rockaway Beach in Queens, the City opened a new ocean-side skate park and playground in 2005 as well as creating the City's first surfing beach.  In Brooklyn, 95 historic boardwalk lights are being installed and will be welcoming professional volleyball to Coney Island for the first time ever this summer.

Staten Island’s beaches have benefited from more than $30 million in improvements over the past decade, including new piers, comfort stations, shade pavilions, plantings, a skate park, playground and bathhouses. South Beach is home to a new gazebo, shade pavilion and improvements to the bathhouse at South Beach, while Midland Beach boasts a new pier extending from the boardwalk into the Lower Bay of the New York Harbor. The new South Fin Restaurant and Vanderbilt catering hall opened last year, and Borough President Molinaro has allocated $1 million for new benches and trash receptacles along the boardwalk.

This year, the Department of Parks & Recreation conducted an unprecedented outreach program to recruit and train lifeguards to staff the City’s seven beaches and 52 outdoor pools.

Beaches will be open daily starting Saturday, May 27th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Labor Day (September 4th).  City beaches include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach in Staten Island.  Swimming is prohibited when beaches are closed. Both City beaches and pools are free to the public.