North Channel Beach in Jamaica Bay

Apr 19

North Channel Beach offers a quiet escape right within city limits. Tucked along the edge of Jamaica Bay, it’s an unexpectedly peaceful spot with wide-open views of the water and sky. From the shoreline, you can watch the sunset stretch across the bay, casting warm light over the channels and marshes. I remember driving down to this little spot as a kid with my family, parked next to dozens of other families also tailgating the sunset as the planes flew closely by, watching fishermen and women, kayaks and small boats all around. It's a busy world away from the busy boroughs that surround it.

This year I returned with my love and a couple of our friends. After a short walk along the shore admiring the quickly changing colors of the sky, we went back to our car to a cooler packed with San Pellegrino pompelmo sparkling waters, turkey, brie and apple sandwiches with sourdough bread and pepperhouse gourmaise, bbq chips, pita chips and hummus, and the most incredible homemade desserts our friends brought including an unbelievable banana tres leches and sticky cinnamon bites that were out of this world. Our timing was perfect, the weather and view, our company and the excitement of collective anticipation of summer in the air. New York is ready for something new.

North Channel Beach
Photo Credit: Samantha M. Lopez

View of New York City from North Channel Beach
Photo Credit: Samantha M. Lopez

What makes the Jamaica Bay especially unique is that it’s a Wildlife Refuge. Years ago when I was working with AmeriCorps, we volunteered to plant trees and shrubs, remove invasive plants, assist in trail restoration, and street tree care in an effort to maintain and care for the city’s wildlife, natural areas and vital resources. The beach gives you a front-row view of the area’s unique mix of salt marsh, coastal plants, and migratory birds. This sliver of beach feels far from the pace of the city without ever leaving it.