Water Taxi Beach

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Water Taxi Beach is an artificial temporary beach created 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 is operated by the New York Water Taxi Company and is open to the public (for free) during the summer months only. The beach can also be rented for private parties. In concept, Water Taxi Beach is similar to Paris Beach in Paris, France.^[1]

Harry's at Water Taxi Beach serves BBQ-type foods such as burgers, hot dogs, and beer, wine and tropical drinks. There is also a full catering menu. In May of 2008 "Harry's @ Water Taxi Beach" won first place in a contest to determine which restaurant had the best burger in the boroughs ^[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 has led New York Water Taxi to propose a similar project in Red Hook, Brooklyn.^[3] In March of 2008 additional sand was added to the property, expanding its size and making room for three new beach volleyball courts.

New sand arriving March 19, 2008

[edit] Property ownership

Water Taxi Beach is located on property owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is located next to the Queens West development and is slated to be purchased, ^[4] along with adjoining land, by the City of New York.

[edit] References

^ 'Paris Beach' opens along Seine, BBC News, Jul. 21, 2004
^ 'Burger Battle' in Queens, Gothamist, May 21, 2008
^ "Tiny beach proves a surprising hit," Crain's New York Business, Sept. 17, 2007
^ [1] "Plan for Middle-Class Homes on Queens Bank of East River Prompts Ideas and Protest" New York Times, May 16, 2007