PlaNYC Far Rockaway Park

POSTED ON: 10.11.2009

Far Rockaway Beach is one of five new regional parks envisioned by PlanNYC. The site comprises 28 acres along the Atlantic Ocean beach front. WXY developed the Masterplan with QRP landscape architects and designed amenities at three sites that will reconnect the neighborhood with the beach: a performance lawn, a boardwalk overlook and a new comfort station.

The culmination of over five miles of uninterrupted boardwalk, this 156ft long and 18ft high shade structure comprises five connected steel parasols, providing much-needed shade.

WXY developed a vocabulary of forms reminiscent of parasols, gull wings and fabric flapping in the wind to give a strong identity to these gathering places. The shade structure will be visible for miles to cyclists and pedestrians along this edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Expanded metal gratings create shade in varied patterns for the seating of cast concrete, beneath.

The performance canopy of tubular stainless steel wrapped with steel lathe overlooks a 2-acre lawn. A related trellis in front of the concession also provides shade and a fine view of the beach.

The undulating roof of this 106ft long comfort station and play area at B30 Street allows it to double as a shade structure, serving a large athletic field, a dune preserve and a playground.