Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Residents Petitioning To Save The LIC Water Taxi Beach
By
Garth Johnston
Published May 4, 2011
Modified May 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published May 4, 2011
Modified May 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The original flavor Long Island City Water Taxi Beach is dead in the water, but one local is trying to petition to get it moved down shore. More than 1,000 people have signed Bea Murphy's petition, which asks the city to reconsider its previous rejection of WTB's proposal to move the beach while the city uses the previous beach area for staging storm sewer outfalls for the new Hunters Point South development.
"It's been here for six years. If they know how much people are missing it, maybe they'll engage in negotiations," Murphy explained to the News. And some folks really do seem to miss it. "Watertaxi beach was a wonderful, playful, whimsical refuge in a busy area with NO outdoor space. It fulfilled NYC's goals of providing enjoyable water aceess, and will be a terrible loss to the community. We are absolutely starved for outdoor space here, and its loss would be terrible," wrote one signer. "Please preserve or provide an alternate locaton for this city treasure," wrote another.
If you are a fan of the beach, by all means sign the petition, but we have a strong suspicion it won't do much good. Part of the problem is that, despite the popularity of the beach with people from across the city, it wasn't exactly popular with those who lived by it—what with all that drinking, noisemaking and good time having. As Joe Conley, chairman of CB 2, told the tabloid, the booze is the real issue here: "It's still a great idea, but introducing the concept of sun, sand and alcohol didn't work out. We'd welcome the beach, but without alcohol."
And, considering it already didn't have water access, who really wants a dry Water Taxi Beach?
Tagged
lic
online petition
queens
Water Taxi Beach
Water Taxi Beach LIC
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .