Orchard Beach opens back up
Social distancing in practice as the public returns to the Bronx Riviera
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Beachgoers at the Bronx
Riviera have set a proper example
of social distancing as
the waters of the Long Island
Sound have reopened to the
public today.
There’s well over six to ten
feet between just about each
chair and towel set up on the
shore while NYC Parks Department
employees are offering
masks to those who are without
— though many have come prepared
on this fi rst day back in
the city’s waters.
While Orchard Beach remains
more on the empty side
at the moment, likely due to
an incoming storm system,
there are some brave enough to
plunge into the sound as many
others simply soaked up some
sun while it’s lasting.
One senior couple, Dimitri
and Valentini Golvin of Co-op
City, left plenty of room between
themselves and fellow beach
dwellers during the sunnier
part of the afternoon today.
They came out to enjoy the
fi rst chance to plunge into the
city’s public water, Dimitri
said.
“It’s a nice day, not really
hot,” he said.
BRONX TIMES R 20 EPORTER, JULY 3-9, 2020 BTR
Usually, the Golvins have
been staying home throughout
the pandemic they said, but
simply wanted to get out and enjoy
a nice day safely.
“You have to go out,” Dimitri
said about every day tasks,
“It’s better than California,”
he added, mentioning other
states that have kept beaches
closed through the weeks that
COVID-19 has spread throughout
the country.
Paths at Orchard Beach remained
mostly clear during
the early afternoon while a
few lawn chairs and picnickers
were seen on grass opposite to
the beach.
One eager young man was
practicing his layups on the
park’s basketball courts, despite
its hoop having been removed
by the Parks Department
some time ago.
One snack bar was operational
at Orchard Beach while
another was being stocked
earlier today — some ate their
food at nearby tables while others
walked along the crescentshaped
boardwalk.
Overall, Orchard Beach
was relatively still upon its reopening.
Both Governor Andrew
Cuomo and Mayor Bill
de Blasio would be delighted to
see the amounts of social distancing
that a vast majority of
beach dwellers displayed earlier
today.
Orchard Beach midday on Wednesday, July 1. Photo by Alex Mitchell