Before the Summer goers busted out onto Jamaica Bay myself and my family decided to take the long train ride from Flatbush via the A train to see how summer-ready the beach was after Hurricane Sandy had ‘walloped’ it four years earlier in 2012.
Up these stairs, down those many stairs and we thought we were finally there only to discover that workers were still filling in sand like road pavers on most of the beach. All the steps were covered in sand! The workers were kind enough to leave us to go all the way up to the closed barriers then shout out at us that it was closed.
At least one of them was kind enough to redirect us to the entrance via 60th Street, where the new residential development was. As we walked along the beach the ecological impact was not so visible except for the many broken shells covering the sand. There were even some surfers and runners who took advantage of the scarcity of people as we did.
It seemed to be a tight race to bring back the cities famous Jamaica Bay in time for summer but we have confidence in the people.
We had a great day playing in the sand but I wished I had brought me a grill instead of bananas to warm ourselves up in the early Spring sunshine. On our way out we began planning our next trip to NYC Transit Museum to see the underground impact of Hurricane Sandy and the responsive efforts of the MTA during this devastation.
Did you Know?
********************************
The bay contains numerous marshy islands. It was known as Grassy Bay as late as the 1940s. Jamaica Bay is located adjacent to the confluence of the New York Bight and New York Bay, and is at the turning point of the primarily east-west oriented coastline of southern New England and Long Island and the north-south oriented coastline of the mid-Atlantic coast. The name derives from the nearby town of Jamaica, which in turn derives from “YAMECO”, a corruption of a word in the Lenape language spoken by the Native Americans who lived in the area at the time of first European contact. The “y” sound in English is spelled with a “j” in Dutch, the first Europeans to write about the area. This resulted in the eventual English pronunciation of “Jamaica” when read and repeated orally.
********************************
Dogs are allowed to run without leash on Jamaica Bay?
********************************
Jamaica Bay Swim wear exist at JC Penny
********************************
Other Important Links
Hurricane Sandy in Jamaica Bay
********************************
Bringing Back The City: Mass Transit Responds To Crisis – Ongoing through 2017
A new exhibit offering a unique perspective on the vital, often unseen, work of New York’s transit employees. Using the events of 9/11, the 2003 Northeast Blackout, Hurricane Sandy and other severe weather events as examples, the exhibition reveals the critical role that mass transit personnel play in preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters. Through a vibrant display of objects, photographs, media, and personal accounts, the exhibition highlights the technical and professional skills needed to restore public transportation service and get New Yorkers moving again after crisis strikes. Explore the exhibit online>>
********************************
Special thank you to Rory Gallagher to contribute this amazing remix from Orbital.
Music by:
RORY GALLAGHER DJ
SoundCloud
Facebook
Twitter