Bay Breeze Park
This new waterfront park serves both the local community and regional visitors to the Rockaways. The 2 acre site was undeveloped with a strip of beachfront on Jamaica Bay. QRP's new park design meets the goals of the Rockaway Conceptual Plan and responded to community input gathered through public meetings with Rockaway residents, to provide opportunities for passive recreation, play and waterfront/kayak access.
Our design provides opportunities to interact with the water’s edge and includes an ADA-accessible kayak ramp, grandstand seating steps, an overlook terrace, shaded seating areas and sinuous pathways with unobstructed views of the bay.
With a large, sculpted lawn for informal play, planted entrances, children’s play area and amenities like binoculars, drinking fountains, foot wash station, lighting and kayaking facilities, the park is a vibrant new public space for the Rockaways.
The park includes a new structure for kayak storage, designed by Sage & Coombe Architects, which will allow community kayaking programs to operate out of the park. The roof of this structure extends to form a shaded area for seating and gathering.
A variety of planted areas are featured in the design, creating a mosaic of coastal habitats of high ecological value. The plantings provide food and cover for wildlife and four-season interest for visitors, while restoring the ecological integrity of the site and improving water quality in this area of Jamaica Bay.
The project received an award for Excellence in Design from the Public Design Commission.
Location
Rockaway, Queens, NY
Client
NYC Parks
Role
Prime Consultant
Team
Sage & Coombe Architects
McLaren Engineers
LiRo
