Bays 1 & 4 in Riis Closed for the Summer

Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to close sections of Jacob Riis Park Beach due to hazardous conditions. Significant beach erosion occurred along the eastern shoreline of Jacob Riis Park Beach. The erosion exposed deteriorated wooden groins, rockwork, and other structures.  Access restrictions established in 2024 will continue at Bays 1 and 4 due to these unsafe conditions from beach erosion. Bays 1 and 4 will remain closed to access and swimming. Bay 1 is the LGBTQ-friendly beach bordering Beach 149th, where a surfer drowned last month. Bay 4 is the beach directly in front of the Riis Bathhouse, which is still under construction.

In 2023, the National Park Service authorized placement of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach at Jacob Riis Park as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York State, and New York City’s East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet, and Jamaica Bay Storm Risk Reduction Project.  It was anticipated that cyclic renourishment would be needed every 4-6 years to offset the effects of this project on the beach profile at Jacob Riis Park. By 2024, much of the sand placed in 2023 had washed away due to weather conditions over the 2024 winter and spring.  In 2025, the Army Corps of Engineers will conduct an analysis to determine the best solutions to address the erosion and stabilize Jacob Riis Beach.

Areas of Jacob Riis Park Beach are likely to remain closed due to the erosion throughout the 2025 Summer season for the protection of visitors.