A Beach Opening With Safety Warnings

By Katie McFadden

Summer 2026 has officially begun! On Friday, May 22, it didn’t quite feel like summer, but that didn’t stop the beach opening ceremony at the Beach 94th Street Amphitheater.

Officials including new NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, Acting First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Focht, Queens Commissioner Jackie Langsam, Rockaway Administrator Elizabeth Walsack, elected officials like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Members Joann Ariola, Selvena Brooks-Powers and Parks Committee chair Ty Hankerson, Assembly Members Khaleel Anderson and Stacey Pheffer Amato, Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson, representatives for Gregory Meeks and Senator James Sanders, Dr. Mark Ashamalla of Episcopal Health Services, lifeguards, NYPD, FDNY and more, gathered to deliver remarks or show support in honor of the beach officially opening on Saturday.

Before the ceremony began, music was played by the Queens College jazz band as everyone gathered and visited tables from various NYC Parks agencies and nonprofits. Then, the Channel View School for Research band played the “National Anthem” to kick things off. Commissioner Shimamura hosted the ceremony, first paying tribute to Brandon Figueroa, the 18-year-old high school senior who went missing in the waters off of Beach 73rd Street just three days before. Several speakers acknowledged the loss and reminded everyone to only swim when and where lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Lifeguards, we know, are the best way to keep our swimmers and keep our beachgoers safe,” Shimamura said.

Shimamura highlighted some things to look out for on the beach and boardwalk, aside from reg flags indicating that a beach is closed. Episcopal Health has once again provided free sunscreen stations along the boardwalk, for anyone to use. Thanks to funding from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, lifeguards now have access to two Gator vehicles to move guards, equipment or victims quickly during an emergency. Lifeguards will also have new uniforms this year, including new sweatpants, long sleeve shirts and even two-piece bathing suits for the female guards.

BP Donovan Richards said, “Welcome to the best beach on the East coast. He reiterated the message of not swimming without lifeguards and mentioned the $26 million in funding his office allocated towards an aquatics facility and pool that will be coming to Arverne East. Richards also took time to acknowledge the reason for Memorial Day. “Let me pause to thank our men and women in the military and remember all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice because this is one of the reasons we have the freedom to enjoy Memorial Day. Even through these challenging times, we’re coming up on its 250th anniversary of this country and there’s no better country on the face of the earth than the United States of America.”

Speaking at her last beach opening ceremony, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato said, “As many of you know, I am not running for reelection, and this will be my last official beach opening. With that, I have to stand proud of the work that we have done on the New York State assembly level in support for bringing swim instruction, swim education and investments in this community.” She finished by inviting all to join her at Connolly’s for their opening day after the ceremony.

In between jokes that received laughs and boos, Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson left everyone with a serious reminder of the dangers of the beach. “Take beach safety seriously. Let’s all commit to making this the summer where we don’t lose a life. Let’s have a happy and safe summer,” he said.

Councilwoman Ariola acknowledged the new Parks Commissioner and former Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. “You’re everything I was told about you and more, and I was told about you by our wonderful former commissioner Iris,” Ariola told Shimamura. “We are here for you. We are fighting for more money for our lifeguards, fighting for more money for our PEP officers, 100 officers should’ve never been cut, we need to make it right and that’s something we’re committed to. I would also like to bring attention to the fact that we’re all heartbroken over the person who was lost, but there was also a person who was saved that day. That person was seen by two not yet on duty lifeguards who happened to save that person. Let’s get our lifeguards more money. And as the borough president said, come to Rockaway and spend your money!”

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-­Powers also took time to acknowledge Brandon Figueroa and spoke of her commitments to making sure things change. “I will continue to push for greater water safety education across our city alongside our partners, however, prevention is not enough. In an emergency, every second counts and communities like Far Rockaway deserve immediate access to trauma care.”

Felicia Johnson spoke about her request for funding for a PA system on the boardwalk to notify people of dangers. Dr. Mark Ashamalla spoke about skin cancer prevention and the sunscreen stations. The mothers of Elyjah Chandler and Christian Perkins, who drowned in the waters off of Riis Park in 2024, made pleas to extend lifeguard hours, as their sons died after 6 p.m. And Queens Commissioner Langsam made closing remarks. “We are here to open the biggest and the best beach in the United States!” As of 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, lifeguards were officially on duty.