The next time you visit New York City post-Covid, there might be a new beach on the west side of town
A lazy summer afternoon spent in Manhattan's Meatpacking District used to mean brunch at Pastis, popping into Chelsea Market, a wander through the Whitney, maybe window shopping at Jeffrey (RIP), and an early afternoon beer or maybe cocktails at the Standard. Pretty soon, New Yorkers (and visitors) will be able to add a trip to the beach to their West Village itineraries, as construction begins on the neighbourhood's Gansevoort Peninsula recreational development this spring.
Built on a 5.5-acre land mass in Hudson River Park, between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street, that had previously been used for truck parking by the city's Department of Sanitation, the planned outdoor facilities include a riverside outdoor gym, dog run, ball field, promenade, concession areas, a lawn, kayak access and a 63-foot sandy beach area along its southern edge. The space will also house a Whitney Museum of American Art installation: Day's End by David Hammons, which will be one of the largest public art projects in America when it is completed in late 2021.
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“Gansevoort Peninsula will be a spectacular public space for all New Yorkers, whether they’re enjoying Manhattan’s first public beach, playing on the ballfields or looking out in the salt marsh,” said Madelyn Wils, President & CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust. “As Hudson River Park moves closer to completion, we are excited to be in position to start construction on one of our signature projects this coming spring. Thank you to our funding partner, the City of New York, for its support of what will be the largest single greenspace in Hudson River Park.”