Manhattan’s first beach, the unimaginatively named Gansevoort Peninsula, opened in October 2023. When choosing the location for this month’s column, I wanted to keep the beach action going after a quick trip I made to play on la playa in Puerto Vallarta in January, so I decided to head for our new beach on the Hudson River, perchance to lounge in the sand and sing beach songs.

Although they trucked in 1,200 pounds of lovely fine sand to create this beach, it might be more apt to call Gansevoort Peninsula an “outdoor space,” as swimming is not permitted. Is it really a beach if you can’t slip into the water to cool off on a hot summer day?

The park juts into the river opposite the Whitney Museum, between Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street. Gansevoort Peninsula was designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, the same firm that created the High Line, and it features a beachy boardwalk, picnic lawn, sports field, and dog run. There are also public restrooms and a concession stand. The sand area has beach umbrellas, Adirondack-style chairs, and a misting feature for cooling down or rinsing off sand.

The south side of the park has a kayak launch and spectacular views of the lower Manhattan skyline. There’s also a structure of pipes emerging from the water that looks like the ghostly skeletal remains of a port warehouse. It’s actually Day’s End, a monumental, site-specific sculpture by David Hammons, which was donated to the park by the Whitney Museum in 2021. Day’s End is an homage to Gordon Matta-Clark’s 1975 artwork, Day’s End (Pier 52) (Exterior with Ice).

The northern portion of Gansevoort Peninsula is a salt marsh, with native grasses and plants, submerged reef balls, and wire-framed oyster gabions seeded with 20 million juvenile oysters. When you visit, you’ll be able to learn about the environmental benefits of intertidal ecosystems. These features create greater habitat diversity for the organisms that live in the 400-acre Hudson River Park’s estuarine sanctuary.

Although I may quibble about whether Gansevoort Peninsula can properly be called a beach, it brings new delights to the Hudson River Park. I am sure the sand will be packed from end to end with sun worshipers come summertime. And no doubt a few daredevils will take a Kramer-inspired dip.

Style Notes

• Lime green, retro-structured ruffled blouse by Entro. Crossroads Trading.
• Striking diagonal-patterned electric green, orange, and purple maxi skirt with back slit by Urban Outfitters. Crossroads Trading.
• Matching lime green purse with plenty of pockets. Crossroads Trading.
• Retro orange suede Hush Puppies. Army & Navy, Hastings Street, Vancouver.