Uptown Beaches to Face Summer Closures

going diligence throughout this far-reaching coastal protection project, and I am looking forward to a wonderful Rockaway beach season this year.”

It’s official. Uptown will face beach closures this summer due to the Army Corps work.

On Tuesday, April 4, NYC Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the expected beach and swimming access updates for Rockaway Beach this summer as part of the $336 million Atlantic Shorefront Resiliency Project to protect and strengthen the Rockaway community.

According to a press release from NYC Parks, in line with USACE's confirmed construction schedule, starting Memorial Day weekend, as many as 70 blocks of Rockaway Beach will be open to swimming seven days a week. Due to construction, 10-15 blocks of beach will be temporarily closed to all access throughout the summer, moving westward from Beach 116, and moving eastward from Beach 143. The closures will be rolling; over the course of the summer the work zones, open beaches, and beach access will shift as the necessary work progresses. The entirety of the Rockaway boardwalk will remain open.

"The temporary beach closures that are necessary this summer will help to protect this frontline community and bring us a safer and more resilient beach that all New Yorkers can enjoy,” Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Kizzy Charles-Guzman, said.

"Rockaway Beach is a vibrant, much-loved summertime destination for residents and tourists alike, and we're proud that this summer much of the beach will be open while this necessary resiliency work continues,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said. "I thank our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers for their expediency and on-

"There is no question, the Rockaways have been severely impacted by coastal storms and intense erosion over the years and the improvements we're making as part of our ongoing Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project will go a long way toward reducing risk to these communities from future storms,” Colonel Matthew Luzzatto, Commander of USACE, New York District, said. "I continue to be impressed and thankful for the tremendous work done by my team and our partners, especially NYC Parks, as we continue to work diligently at reducing coastal storm risk for the residents of the Rockaways.”

Launched in 2020 and scheduled through 2026, USACE's work is responsive to decades of calls to address severe erosion and flooding from coastal storms, which has been exacerbated by climate-change, at one of New York City's most popular beaches. The project consists of 14 new stone groin structures, the rehabilitation of five existing groins, the construction of a reinforced dune system, and sand renourishment on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Rockaway Peninsula. Stone groins are rock structures that extend out into the ocean that will trap sand and reduce beach erosion. They will support sand accumulation, allowing for wider beaches, less erosion, and better protection from storms when complete.

NYC Parks beaches open for the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27, and will remain open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beachgoers are directed not to swim in red-flagged areas. Beachgoers looking for updated project information and ongoing service changes can visit the NYC Parks dedicated webpage (www.nycgovparks.org/facility/beaches/beach-recovery/rockaway-beach-closures) which will be updated ahead of the Memorial Day opening.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

Pontoon Boat Rentals

Contact The Elected

Congressman Gregory Meeks

67-12 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Arverne, NY 11692

Phone: (347) 230-4032

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato

9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

Email: amatos@nyassembly.gov 718-945-9550

City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers

1931 Mott Avenue, Suite 410 Far Rockaway, NY 11691 • 718-471-7014

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola

Rentals - 2 hours minimum starting at $ 350

We also rent Kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards

Marina 59 360 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway, NY Tel 347-289-1117

114-12 Beach Channel Drive, suite #1 Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Email: joannariola32@gmail.com 718-318-6411

State Senator James Sanders Jr.

1931 Mott Avenue – Suite 305 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Email: sanders@nysenate.gov 718-327-7017

Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson

19-31 Mott Avenue, Suite 301 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Email: Andersonk@nyassembly.gov 718-327-1845

Jeanne Ferriola and Sean McVeigh PUBLISHER

Katie McFadden MANAGING EDITOR

Mary Ellen Olsen MANAGER

Monica Clifford BILLING/ LEGALS

Tom McVeigh and Fred Marino SALES

Kevin Boyle FOUNDER/PUBLISHER EMERITUS

THE ROCKAWAY TIMES is published every Thursday by Double Nickel LLC (USPS # 16930), 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Post master: Send address changes to The Rockaway Times, 114-04 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Periodical postage paid at Rockaway Park Post Office, 11694.

Ad space reservations by Monday, 12 noon, preceding date of subject. Editorial submission must be made by Monday, 3 P.M., preceding date of publication. All letters to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES should be brief and are sub– ject to editing. Writers should include a full address and home office telephone number. Anon ymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without permission of THE ROCKAWAY TIMES. The publisher will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to THE ROCKAWAY TIMES within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.

THE ROCKAWAY TIMES assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold THE ROCKAWAY TIMES and its employees harmless from all costs, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. © 2015 Double Nickel LLC.

PALM SUNDAY (April 1st, 2023) Saturday Vigil Masses: 4 pm at St. Virgilius & 5:30 pm at St. Camillus.

Sunday Masses: 10 am at St. Virgilius & 8:30 am & 11:30 am at St. Camillus.

RECONCILIATION MONDAY (April 3rd, 2023) Confessions will be heard from 2 pm to 6 pm in St. Camillus Church. Penance Service at 7 pm in St. Virgilius Church.

HOLY THURSDAY (April 6th, 2023) Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 pm in St. Camillus Church (followed by Adoration until 10 pm).

GOOD FRIDAY (April 7th, 2023) Morning Prayer at 9 am in St. Camillus Church. Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3 pm in St. Camillus Church. Family Stations of the Cross at 7pm in St. Virgilius Church.

HOLY SATURDAY (April 8th, 2023) Morning Prayer at 9 am in St. Camillus Church with Blessing of Easter Food.

Blessing of Easter Food at 12 Noon in St. Camillus Church. Confessions from Noon to 1 pm in St. Camillus Church.

NO Saturday Evening Vigil Masses at 4 pm & 5:30 pm.

Easter Vigil at 8 pm in St. Camillus Church.

EASTER SUNDAY (April 9th, 2023) Masses at 8:30 am & 11:30 am in St. Camillus Church. Mass at 10 am in St. Virgilius Church.

To advertise in The Rockaway Times call 718-634-3030 · ads@RockawayTimes.com