In early 2019, it was announced that the Gansevoort Peninsula on the Hudson River would become home to a new Manhattan beach by 2022. Though that date was moved to late 2023 due to COVID-19, it’s now officially open!
The 5.5-acre green oasis is now the largest stand-alone recreational space within Hudson River Park.
The $73 million project features Manhattan’s first public beachfront complete with a rocky seating ledge and water access for kayakers and other small boaters. The beach itself features 1,200 tons of sand with beach umbrellas, Adirondack-style chairs, and a misting feature.
Beyond the beach the project includes a large sports field, boardwalks and other walking promenades, a large seating lawn, a picnic area with tables and benches that overlook the River, an ecological salt marsh, and 20 million juvenile oysters in the water.
And, of course, Gansevoort Peninsula offers stunning views of the River and the lower Manhattan skyline.
Gansevoort Peninsula is designed to be strictly a sunbathing beach however, and swimming will not be permitted.
“This collaboration…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. It’s been 25 years in the making and we’ve shown once again that anything worth having is worth working for,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
This is only one of many ambitious projects to revitalize the piers on the West Side of Manhattan.
NYC’s first-ever floating park was finally unveiled last year, and the fairly new rooftop park on Pier 57.
Furthermore, it also won’t be the only new beach opening in NYC. Apparently, an additional public beach is set to open on the Williamsburg waterfront by 2028. Two Trees Management, the same company behind the redevelopment of Domino Sugar Factory, is helming the plans.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams stated, “Gansevoort Peninsula is a true green space for the 21st century, incorporating innovative design and helping to prepare the west side of Manhattan for climate change. Our administration is working to provide open space in every community and expand access to public parks in all five boroughs…and we hope New Yorkers enjoy all the wonderful amenities it has to offer.”
Written by Bianca Bahamondes, Claire Leaden, Justine Golata, and Brianna Perry