Water Taxi Beach Explained

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 led New York Water Taxi to propose a similar project at the Atlantic Basin 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 44000square feet[11] and making room for three new beach volleyball courts.

Property ownership

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]

Notes and References

  1. News: 'Paris Beach' opens along Seine. BBC News. Caroline. Wyatt. July 21, 2004. July 25, 2009.
  2. News: Imagination on The Waterfront. The New York Times. August 11, 2005. July 6, 2013. Francis. Cline.
  3. News: Tiny beach proves a surprising hit. Crain's New York Business. Potkewitz. Hilary. September 17, 2007. January 27, 2008.
  4. News: Beyond Lady Liberty; Luring Visitors to New York Harbor's Lesser-Known Attractions. The New York Times. August 15, 2005. Patrick. McGeehan. July 25, 2009.
  5. First Ever New York Water Taxi Service From Brooklyn To Governors Island Announced By The Governors Island Reservation And Education Corporation . Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation . New York, NY . May 30, 2007 . July 25, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808114737/http://www.govisland.com/Press_Room/05-30-07watertaxi.asp . August 8, 2008 .
  6. News: New York Water Taxi Announces Second Makeshift Beach. Anna. Sekula. February 27, 2009. July 25, 2009. BizBash Media. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110809153042/http://www.bizbash.com/new_york_water_taxi_announces_second_makeshift_beach/newyork/story/14695. August 9, 2011.
  7. Web site: Kludt . Amanda . March 11, 2009 . First Word: Water Taxi Beach Approved for Seaport . Eater NY . July 6, 2024.
  8. Web site: Maurer . Daniel . May 26, 2009 . A Closer Look at Water Taxi Beach at South Street Seaport . Grub Street . July 6, 2024.
  9. News: "Burger Battle" in Queens. Gothamist. May 21, 2008. July 25, 2009. Hugh. Merwin. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090530022108/http://gothamist.com/2008/05/21/borough_burger.php. May 30, 2009.
  10. News: Dining Calendar. Florence. Fabricant. June 9, 2009. The New York Times. July 25, 2009.
  11. Web site: Kludt . Amanda . March 21, 2008 . Signs of Spring: Putting the 'Beach' into Water Taxi Beach . Eater NY . July 6, 2024.
  12. New York City Economic Development Corporation . June 25, 2009 . Mayor Bloomberg Announces City's $100 Million Acquisition of the 30-Acre Hunter's Point South Parcel . January 17, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110714220758/http://www.nycedc.com/PressRoom/PressReleases/Pages/MayorBloombergAnnouncesHuntersPointSouthParcel.aspx. July 14, 2011.
  13. Web site: Water Taxi Beach Long Island City . watertaxibeach.com . November 15, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117210556/http://www.watertaxibeach.com/long_island_city . November 17, 2011 .
  14. News: Jackson . Joe . August 27, 2013 . City Adds Park With 'Urban Beach' to Queens Waterfront . The Wall Street Journal . July 6, 2024.
  15. Web site: Dailey . Jessica . August 27, 2013 . Hunters Point South Park Opens As A 'Charm Bracelet' In LIC . Curbed NY . July 6, 2024.

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