Serrano Helps Kick Off Summer Season at Restored Orchard Beach

Last Friday, Congressman Serrano joined NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. to start the opening of the summer season at the newly-restored Orchard Beach in the Bronx.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for summer leisure and recreation in the Bronx. The newly restored Orchard Beach, is back to how it was meant to be—beautiful, wide and safe," said Serrano. "As a result of the $7 million in federal funds that my friend Joe Crowley and I obtained over the years, and our partnership with NYC Parks, and of course the Corps of Engineers’ hard work, we now are looking out at a glorious beach that Bronxites will enjoy this summer, and for many more to come. This was a great partnership and a great project." 

The shoreline protection project included the replacement of the sand that had been lost and also was designed to prevent future erosion. In addition, the project addressed the underwater “drop-off zones” that represented a danger to swimmers at Orchard Beach. The project replaced more than 250,000 cubic yards of sand. The beach is now open for the season, during which approximately one million patrons are expected.