Envision a vast expanse of sand meeting the rhythmic waves of the Atlantic. That is Jacob Riis Park. This seaside haven in Queens is more than just a beach. It holds layers of history and stories waiting to be uncovered.
Jacob Riis Park, also known as Riis Park, invites you to step back in time. Its origins stretch back to 1912. Social journalist Jacob Riis championed the cause. The city acquired land for a park. It was initially called Seaside Park. Later, it became Telawana Park.
During World War I, Jacob Riis Park transformed. It became the Rockaway Naval Air Station. This was one of the first naval air stations in the United States. In 1919, it served as the launching point. It was the starting point for the first transatlantic flight.
The Art Deco bathhouse here is impressive. It was built in 1932. Much of the park’s infrastructure was built between 1936 and 1937. New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses oversaw the construction. He envisioned Jacob Riis Park as a getaway. It would be for New York City residents. He wanted it to resemble Jones Beach State Park.
Access to Jacob Riis Park improved. The Marine Parkway Bridge and Belt Parkway made it easier to reach. In 1974, the park transitioned. Control shifted to the National Park Service.
Jacob Riis Park Historic District gained recognition. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The Neponsit Beach Hospital used to be part of the park. It was razed in 2023.
Beyond the beach, Jacob Riis Park offers more. There is a central mall. A boardwalk runs north of the beach. A large parking lot accommodates visitors. An 18-hole golf course provides recreation. Several sporting fields cater to athletes. The beaches consist of 15 bays on the Atlantic coast.
Originally, it was Seaside Park. Then it was briefly Telawana Park. In 1914, the park was renamed to honor Jacob Riis. He was a muckraker journalist. He documented the struggles of the poor.
What is now Jacob Riis Park was once underwater. The peninsula gradually expanded. Sand accumulated through tidal action. By the late 19th century, it reached its current boundaries.
Before Jacob Riis Park became a recreational space, it played a military role. During the War of 1812, the United States Army erected a blockhouse. It was west of the future park site. It was demolished in 1818.
Robert Moses expanded Jacob Riis Park in the 1930s. He sought to create an urban version of Jones Beach. It would be for working-class New Yorkers. The bathhouse was altered. The parking area was enlarged. Beach improvements were made.
Jacob Riis Park has faced challenges. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s. Storms caused damage. There were also instances of crime. In 1972, the National Park Service established the Gateway National Recreation Area. Jacob Riis Park became part of it.
In more recent times, there was a proposed amphitheater and water park. It faced local opposition. A pipeline proposal also stirred controversy. The demolition of Neponsit Hospital marked a change.
Jacob Riis Park has a rich LGBTQ history. The easternmost end of the beach has been a gathering place since the 1940s. Despite challenges, Jacob Riis Park remains a vibrant destination. It offers a blend of recreation and history.
Today, Jacob Riis Park stands as a testament. It is a testament to vision. It is a testament to perseverance. It offers a vital connection. It connects city dwellers to the ocean. It connects people to the past.