Manhattan Is Getting a Big Public Beach—Here’s What It’ll Look Like

When you want to go to the beach in New York City, you have a few options. You can take the train to Brighton Beach, hop on the ferry to Fire Island, or hitch a ride to the Hamptons. But soon, there will be another option that’s even more convenient for Manhattanites. The Hudson River Park Trust is building a park on the water in the city’s Meatpacking District. And yes, it’s going to include a public beach.

The 5.65-acre park will be located on the Gansevoort Peninsula between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street. Until recently, the site was used as a Department of Sanitation facility. The beach is one of the biggest draws of the development, but it will also include kayak access, a lawn and seating area, picnic tables and lounge chairs, a big sports field, and a salt marsh with habit enhancements.

The design isn’t fully finalized, but the renderings offer a sneak peek at what Manhattanites can expect from the project.

“The driving inspiration behind this concept is the idea of creating habitat that links back to the estuary and to connect people to the river and local wildlife,” Madelyn Wils, president and CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust, said in a statement. “We look forward to finalizing the design, working with the community, and getting the project underway.”

Construction is expected to kick off in late 2020 and last about 18 months. Come summer 2022, you’ll be able to lounge on a beach in the heart of the concrete jungle.