The History of Orchard Beach
Orchard Beach was built by the New York City government after it acquired the land for Pelham Bay Park over a hundred years ago in 1887, after which the park was established in 1888. Later in early 1902, in an effort to accommodate people vacationing, the city department of parks and recreation removed the former homes in Pelham Bay Park and used the wood from them to build free bathhouses. Those are used to this day, by around 700 people a day, in the summer. Later in 1903, nearby Hunter Island also became a popular summer vacation spot.
Overcrowding on Hunter Island led to the opening of a campsite in 1905 on Rodman’s Neck, southwest of it. The island included 100 bathhouses at the time, but back then, Orchard Beach was a very small area on the end of Rodman’s Neck. However, later it was extended 400 feet, essentially doubling its capacity, which allowed for the addition of a comfort station.
In 1912, Orchard Beach witnessed a surge in visitors averaging 2000 visitors every summer week and 5000 visitors over the weekends. Thus it became a popular spot for vacationers.
The latest changes made to Orchard Beach were in 1995. It was the second renovation and mainly a sand-filling effort. The city replaced all the sand that was lost. Previously this was done in 1964. The company in charge was Gandhi Engineering, who also restored the pavilion. Also, around the same time, there was a proposed waterpark to be built at Orchard Beach to help bring back visitors. However, that proposal was later cancelled in 1999, mainly owing to opposition mounted by residents.
