Water Taxi Beach
Water Taxi Beach was an artificial temporary beach operated from 2005 to 2010 on a wharf on the East River in the Hunters Point section of Long Island City, in the New York City borough of Queens. It was operated by the New York Water Taxi Company and was open to the public for free during the summer months. The beach was also rented for private parties. In concept, Water Taxi Beach was similar to Paris Beach in Paris, France.[1] The beach was operated by Harry Hawk and Tony Rosciglione and partners who ran the beach owned by NY Water Taxi, now Harbor Experience Companies. It was part of a public-private partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.[2]
The beach concept was created in 2005 as an experiment in community and economic development by New York Water Taxi to attract Manhattanites to Long Island City and to make weekend ferries serving the new residential high-rises near the beach financially viable. The success of the beach has led New York Water Taxi to propose a similar project in Red Hook, Brooklyn.[3] In 2005, the company started planning service to Governors Island[4], started service on June 2, 2008,[5] and opened a Water Taxi beach there[6] on July 10, 2009. A beach was also opened at the South Street Seaport on Memorial Day Weekend, 2009.[7][8]
The restaurant Harry's at Water Taxi Beach served barbecue-type foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, wine, and tropical drinks. There was also a full catering menu. In May 2008, Harry's won first place in a contest to determine which restaurant had the best burger in the boroughs.[9] Since 2007, Water Taxi Beach was one of the main sites of the annual NYC Food Film Festival.[10]
In March 2008, additional sand was added to the property, expanding its size to about 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2)[11] and making room for three new beach volleyball courts.
Property ownership[edit]
Water Taxi Beach was built and located on property owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In 2009, the property was acquired by New York City and became under the control of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The land was located next to the Queens West development and slated to be redeveloped with residential housing and a waterfront park.[12] Accordingly, the beach closed for construction works related to the development of Hunters Point South, after the 2010 season.[13] The property is now part of Hunters Point South Park, which opened in 2013 and includes an urban beach near the former site of Water Taxi Beach.[14][15]
References[edit]
- ^ Wyatt, Caroline (July 21, 2004). "'Paris Beach' opens along Seine". BBC News. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Cline, Francis (August 11, 2005). "Imagination on The Waterfront". The New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- ^ Potkewitz, Hilary (September 17, 2007). "Tiny beach proves a surprising hit". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ McGeehan, Patrick (August 15, 2005). "Beyond Lady Liberty; Luring Visitors to New York Harbor's Lesser-Known Attractions". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ "First Ever New York Water Taxi Service From Brooklyn To Governors Island Announced By The Governors Island Reservation And Education Corporation" (Press release). New York, NY: Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation. May 30, 2007. Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Sekula, Anna (February 27, 2009). "New York Water Taxi Announces Second Makeshift Beach". BizBash Media. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Kludt, Amanda (March 11, 2009). "First Word: Water Taxi Beach Approved for Seaport". Eater NY. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Maurer, Daniel (May 26, 2009). "A Closer Look at Water Taxi Beach at South Street Seaport". Grub Street. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Merwin, Hugh (May 21, 2008). ""Burger Battle" in Queens". Gothamist. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Fabricant, Florence (June 9, 2009). "Dining Calendar". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2009.
- ^ Kludt, Amanda (March 21, 2008). "Signs of Spring: Putting the 'Beach' into Water Taxi Beach". Eater NY. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ "Mayor Bloomberg Announces City's $100 Million Acquisition of the 30-Acre Hunter's Point South Parcel" (Press release). New York City Economic Development Corporation. June 25, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
- ^ "Water Taxi Beach Long Island City". watertaxibeach.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
- ^ Jackson, Joe (August 27, 2013). "City Adds Park With 'Urban Beach' to Queens Waterfront". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Dailey, Jessica (August 27, 2013). "Hunters Point South Park Opens As A 'Charm Bracelet' In LIC". Curbed NY. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
