NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Manhattan’s first public beachfront, Gansevoort Peninsula, opened on Monday, marking it as a new spot for New Yorkers to access the water and feel the sand between their toes.
The space designated for the beach is 5.5 acres and is one of the largest recreational areas in Hudson River Park located between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street in the West Village.
Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her excitement about the beachfront and highlighted it as a symbol of New York’s commitment to beauty, potential, and collaboration between city and state.
"This collaboration between New York City and State will benefit everyone who visits here on the shore of the Hudson, and it checks a lot of boxes from climate change mitigation to competition on the ball fields, from a stroll with your pup to sitting on the beach,” she said during the grand openning. “It's been 25 years in the making and we've shown once again that anything worth having is worth working for."
The beachfront offers more than 1,000 tons of sand, chairs, and beach umbrellas. It also has a sports field, an open lawn, dog runs, a picnic area and several fitness equipment.
"The city has invested more than $70 million in this critical project that will help us reach that goal, and we hope New Yorkers enjoy all the wonderful amenities it has to offer," Mayor Eric Adams said.
The beachfront offers views of Lower Manhattan’s skyline. The Clean Water Act from the 1970s has improved the Hudson River's water quality, but Gansevoort Peninsula only permits sunbathing, not swimming.