Orchard Beach Opening Ceremonies

Submitted by ub on

You can say many wonderful things about these beautiful beaches all over the United States...
Coronado Beach, near San Diego, California
Kahanamoku Beach, in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
Main Beach, in East Hampton, N.Y.
St. George Island State Park, on Florida's Panhandle
Hamoa Beach, in Maui, Hawaii
Coast Guard Beach, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, in Oahu, Hawaii
Cape Florida State Park near Miami, Florida
Beachwalker Park, on Kiawah Island, South.Carolina
Cape Hatteras in North Carolina...etc.

But many New Yorkers prefer to enjoy nearby Orchard Beach, "The Riviera of NYC". City, county and federal officials gathered to celebrate this season's opening day ceremonies today.

Since the unofficial start to summer kicks off this weekend as we celebrate Memorial Day, area beach goers will once again enjoy our very own and extremely clean Orchard Beach.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe opened the ceremonies with his usual comic style. The delightfully funny parks commissioner delivered his comments with a series of fun facts and interesting one liners. Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte, joined US Congressman Jose Serrano, who also addressed the crowds. NYC Park, police and fire department officials were also on hand in support of a fun and safe summer beach season.

Following these opening ceremonies, attendees were expecting to be treated to an air and ground helicopter demonstration conducted by U.S. Marines. However after a long wait, the poor visibility and low clouds made it impossible for aircraft to land and complete their simulated assault on Orchard Beach.

This ceremonial opening of Orchard Beach kicked off the Summer 2012 beach season in The Bronx. New York City’s beaches officially open tomorrow. Lifeguards will be on duty daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Swimming is strictly prohibited at all other times. Beaches will remain open through Labor Day weekend.

Orchard Beach is part of New York City’s fourteen miles of beaches. The 1.1-mile, crescent-shaped beach hosted more than one million visitors last summer. This year brings a new food concessionaire, Havana Café, to the beach who will serve up Cuban, Italian and seafood menus to Bronx beach-goers.

Beach parking will start this Saturday, May 26 and will cost $7 for cars during the week and $9 on weekends. Public transportation is always a good choice. Biking, or walking to the beach are also viable options, considering that it would be much healthier and better for the environment.