We the undersigned, support the idea of water access for small, human and wind powered watercraft (kayaks, rowing shells, Sunfish, etc.) along Beach Channel Drive between Beach 125th and 130th Streets.
The Gateway Bike & Boathouse is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity based in Rockaway. We are an advocacy group for bike friendly roads and water access on the peninsula. We are currently speaking with the National Park Service and NYC Parks and Recreation towards establishing bike and boating facilities in Rockaway.
You may be surprised to learn that there is no place to legally launch a kayak, canoe, rowing shell or small sailboat in Jamaica Bay between Beach 36th St. and Rockaway Point. Similarly there is no legal access to the Atlantic Ocean even though Rockaway has 10 miles of beach front. (note: the boat ramp at Beach Channel HS is for power boats only)
Rockaway has been given a unique opportunity to change this situation. $9 million has been budgeted to replace the current bay wall between Beach 125th and Beach 130th Streets on Beach Channel Drive with something better. How "better" is ultimately defined will be up to all of us.
Public input on this subject will begin formally in the fall. While there will be many ideas as to what this project should consist of, it is our hope that water access should be the cornerstone of any plan that is ultimately adopted. If not, we have will have to answer to our children and their children, as to why they are unable to enjoy Jamaica Bay using paddles, oars or sails.
The Gateway Bike & Boathouse thanks you for your support of water access in this important project. Please send us an e-mail if you have any questions or comments you would like to share:
info@GatewayBoathouse.org, or call us at 718-634-1144.
