Impunity City
Well another summer has departed and the belated autumn solstice has arrived today after the climate change influenced unusual warmth of last October, so this would be the right time to document and review this years spring and summer season spent at Riis Park. And it’s not good at all and it has not ended well, as the dramatic changes that came forth with certain and way overdue (and selective) renovations took place
As the days of May got later, there actually was a itty bitty slither of hope for the people’s beach. The Riis Park Bathhouse renovation attracted more concessions and restaurant fare, as well as new food stands on the end of the boardwalk by the abandoned hospital and both were supplied with live laptop DJ’s. More food trucks were added to where the heart of the
But something was missing from all the free market vibrancy going on the boardwalk. Somehow all the restorations and renovations and all the upscale prices that went into providing a venue for the bazaar did not transfer to a very essential part of beach and parkland that was already a big attraction. In fact it was the only vibrant destination spot before the natural disaster of a category one hurricane and the unwelcome appearance of gentrifiers hit the people’s beach (yes, I’m aware of the irony that gentrifiers are people too) and that is the picnic and grilling area.
Before that bitch Sandy came, it was arguably the best and most spacious grilling area in the city. Despite how small it looks, it had ample space and plenty of tables and grills for anyone that showed up anytime. It also had a lot of wind swept trees from the powerful Atlantic Ocean winds that gave the picnic area a cool presence and a visual wonder of nature.
But where are the goddamn tables? This is a federally tax payer subsidized picnic area.
3 comments:
I was there in late September and rode my bycycle from Howard Beach to Breezy Point and back.
It was a 30 mile round trip bike ride exploying the peninsula. All I can say about Riis Park is that it looks like a third world shite hole. The Beach has the potential to become something in the future but for now I will still drive east to Jones Beach or Robert Moses.
Highlights were seeing the 911 memorial in Breezy Point and the Rockaway boardwalk restoration. About the old HHC hospital Neponsit what's going to happen to all that beachfront property ? Some bright spots were the restoration of the Wise Clock and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.
https://www.rockawave.com/articles/wise-clock-returns-to-riis-park/
If lack of comments mean anything it shows me not to many of the readers here care about or use Riis Park ! aka "The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park !"
Last anon:
Irony is something isn't it. Funny thing is that a lot of people cared the year before that it was my most read post on Impunity to date.
I wrote it mostly to piss on park privatization, not as sexy as an issue as gentrification I guess.
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