With the new, aesthetically pleasing, boardwalk AND Rockaway ferry, this might just be the “summer of the Rockaways” according to Mayor Bill De Blasio.
Back in its entirety for the first time since 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, the Rockaway’s new 5.5 mile boardwalk is the icing on the cake for fans of Rockaway Beach.
The boardwalk stretches from Beach 9th Street to Beach 126th street and will make it’s full debut this weekend, just in time for memorial day weekend.
Last Friday, several local officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and State Senator James Sanders Jr, visited the Rockaways to take an early tour of the boardwalk before its debut. In an article by CurbeNY, State Senator sanders had this to say:
This is just another symbolic way of showing the strength of this community to overcome disasters and adversity, […] Just in time for summer, we have a beautiful boardwalk for all to enjoy as we head to the beach – for sun, sand, surf, good food and time with family.”
Inspired by the destruction Sandy wrought on the area, the new boardwalk has been designed to withstand similar destructive weather conditions. The promenade itself is made of resilient concrete with epoxy coated sunken steel pilings that have been anchored into thick concrete pads.
It is with no small portion of pride, that we New Yorkers can look on the new Rockaways as a symbol of our resilience in overcoming adversity. In the same CurbeNY article, the Mayor had this to say:
“This is going to be the Summer of the Rockaways. The millions who come to the boardwalk by bus, bike and ferry will see the Rockaways’ resilience and vibrancy in action, […] The boardwalk is proof of our commitment to building back stronger and better.”
The full Rockaway Boardwalk will be open Memorial Day weekend — and will also serve as protective barrier for the entire community. pic.twitter.com/h3ZvvvxcTT
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) May 19, 2017