That edge certainly makes Rockaway the better beach; otherwise, I believe Coney Island is still the better destination, especially if you are bringing the kids. Clean sand and surf are a wonderful draw, but there is nothing else for the kids to do at Rockaway. The many amusements and attractions at Coney Island promise a day of fun for the whole family. I guess it really depends on what you are seeking in your day away from the city.
This lone house is a reminder of the way it used to be as it stands defiantly amongst the looming hulks of the apartment houses.
Over all, it was a sad return for me to Rockaway Beach. As I walked along the boardwalk, the elegant old houses that used to face the ocean were mostly gone. The old houses have been replaced with those large multi-level dwellings. Even the Ram's Horn Diner, a fixture on B 116th Street for many years, is gone and replaced by a bank. The more things change the more they stay changed, I guess.
Something seems to be missing at today's Rockaway Beach. Perhaps it was the mystique of an "Irish Town" that no longer exists, or maybe it is the thrill of seeing the old amusement park even in its fading glory. I was reading about how Mayor Bloomberg does want to improve the area, and while his Rockaway Waterfront Redesign project does sound promising, it does not bring back the amusement park or the atmosphere that once had people coming to spend their summer vacations here.
I guess we cannot expect things to stay the same, and I do grudgingly admit that the beach at Rockaway Beach is better than the one at Coney Island, but I'll leave it up to you to go see both places for yourself to decide where you'd rather spend the day.
Article comments
1 - John Lake
How nice to read a fine article about the beach at “Far Rockaway”! Many years ago I found myself, a young man then, stranded and broke in Manhattan. If I said I lived in a W. House near central park, who would believe me? Depressing it was. The poor girls sit in the lobby all day, only rising to climb the stairs with this or that (or those) strange and hungery man or men.
Being depressed, and wanting mostly to get home to Illinois, a biker without a bike situation, I told myself I’d see how the summer day went, and based on that make plans for the future.
I took the subway, and out to the end of the line at Rockaway.
At that time the boardwalk was accompanied by two-story wooden buildings, with arcades, cotton candy, music, and the like. The beach was fine. I could just see the amusement park in the far distance. The Ferris wheel remains in my mind.
I always walk. I started walking along the Ocean, and kept going for the longest time. I walked and walked. Eventually, in my cut-off Levi shorts and raggedy tee-shirt I came to a dilapidated fence of wire. Curious as I am, I clamored over that fence, and kept walking. Naked People!! I was a young man, with the usual fire in my proverbial loins, and had encountered naked people. Many of them were girls!
I walked up the beach and sat on the sand. I was perhaps 5 feet from a young girl, about 21 years, but looking even younger, and her teenaged boy friend -- sans attire!
I wonder now if the Nude Section, upon which I had stumbled is still in use. I made my decisions based on one of the most memorable days in my life, and eventually I even made it home.
The cab driver when I left called it the “Nudey Beach”.
2 - Victor Lana
Really great story, John.
I do recall that beach being there years ago. I do not know if it is still around. Probably not if you judge from what they've done around the city, even to Times Square.
Thanks for the comment!
3 - joey boots
b116th is by far one of the worst blocks. most storefronts are closed, the hotels have been turned into SRO's for the city's worst residents. derelicts loiter the whole block aggressively begging for money day and nite. very bad beware