Before us stretches a unique coastal haven. This is Breezy Point, a neighborhood in Queens. It sits on the western edge of the Rockaway Peninsula. Breezy Point is bordered by Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay. The Atlantic Ocean lies to its west and south.
Breezy Point isn’t your typical New York City neighborhood. It is less urbanized than other parts of the city. The Breezy Point Cooperative governs this community. Residents pay for maintenance, security, and community costs. This keeps Breezy Point private. The cooperative owns all 500 acres. Residents own their homes. They also hold shares in the cooperative.
Let’s delve into its history. In the early 1900s, Breezy Point began as summer beach bungalows. By 1960, the Atlantic Improvement State Corporation bought Breezy Point for $17 million. Residents then purchased half the land for $11 million. They formed the Breezy Point Cooperative. Today, there are about 3,500 homes. Apartment building construction started in the late 1960s. A city ordinance halted it.
Interestingly, Breezy Point has its own security force. This force restricts access to owners, renters, and their guests. It also has three of New York City’s remaining volunteer fire departments.
Breezy Point is sometimes called the “Irish Riviera”. In 2000, the ZIP code was 98.2% white. It had the nation’s second-highest concentration of Irish-Americans at 60.3%. Since the mid-1990s, more Italians and Jewish people have moved here. This has decreased the Irish-American concentration.
Now, consider the geography. Breezy Point comprises three small neighborhoods. There is Breezy Point proper. It is located west of Ocean Avenue. Then, we have Rockaway Point. It sits between Ocean Avenue and Beach 201st Street. Roxbury is near the Marine Parkway Bridge.
Breezy Point Tip is special. It is part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The National Park Service runs it. This isolated 200-acre area has much to offer. There is an ocean-facing beach and a Jamaica Bay shoreline. We can also find sand dunes and marshland. It is a breeding spot for several bird species. Piping plovers, least terns, and black skimmers nest here. American oystercatchers and common terns also breed here.
September 8, 2012, brought a weather event. A tornado struck Breezy Point. It started as a waterspout over the Atlantic Ocean. It came ashore at the Breezy Point Surf Club.
October 29, 2012, brought another disaster. Hurricane Sandy hit Breezy Point hard. Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean flooded the land. High water damaged or destroyed most homes. A six-alarm fire broke out. Volunteer firefighters were trapped. The Rockaway Point Fire Department rescued over 41 civilians. Other fire departments found 130 homes burned to the ground. Rising seawater caused the fire. It contacted a house’s electrical wires.
Breezy Point continues to evolve. The Breezy Point Historical Society preserves its history. The society collects photos, brochures, and artifacts. They conduct programs to educate people.
So, as we stand here, remember the resilience of Breezy Point. It is a community shaped by history and nature. It is a testament to the spirit of its residents. A unique blend of cooperation, privacy, and natural beauty defines Breezy Point.