Yippee!
The cheer could be heard from miles away as summer revelers helped launch the season’s hottest pursuit – going to the beach.
Coney Island, with its 3.5−mile stretch of white sand and historic boardwalk, opened its 2009 summer season with a program of special attractions on the boardwalk at Riegelmann Boardwalk at West 12th Street, attended by local students, city officials, borough residents and day trippers.
Leading the launch was New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Councilmember Domenic Recchia, state Senator Diane Savino and Community Board 13 District Manager Chuck Reichenthal, who teamed up with fourth graders from Public School 90, 2840 West 12th Street, for the festive opening.
Offset by the allure of the Atlantic Ocean, the world−famous beach boasts shade pavilions, playgrounds, water fountains and spray showers for bathers, who want to freshen up before heading over to one of the boardwalk restaurants.
Strollers can get comfy in the gazebo, built and donated by the Vourderis family or get the local lowdown from several information kiosks, and even deposit their trash in brightly−painted receptacles.
For the sports−minded, a clutch of volleyball courts provides an outdoor gymnasium, and the artificial turf little league⁄soccer field, playground, sitting adjacent to KeySpan Park at 1901 Surf Avenue, draws mom, dad and the kids, year−round.
Now in its 86th year, the boardwalk continues to be a prime location for seasonal fun, ocean views and refreshing breezes. It remains an unrivaled location for summer fun, including taking in a Brooklyn Cyclones ball game and viewing the Parachute Jump, listed on the National register of Historic Places.
The city’s seven beaches will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Swimming is permitted only in the presence of a lifeguard.
