Several blocks of Rockaway Beach will be closed this summer due to construction

Summer is just around the corner, but some stretches in the Rockaways will be void of beachgoers this year.

New York City Parks officials announced Thursday that several popular blocks of beach will be temporarily closed to all access from May through September due to an improvement project that is meant to protect the coast from future erosion.

“The Army Corps is doing complex and important work to protect this coastal community, mitigate erosion, and ultimately expand access to Rockaway Beach,” Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said in a statement.

There will be no beach access from Beach 92 to Beach 95 streets until July 15, according to the department.

Beach access on Beach 109 through Beach 111 streets will also be closed until July 15 and then expanded to included Beach 112th Street until September, the department added.

“We realize these temporary closures are challenging, but it is simply not safe to allow swimming in this area while the Army Corps construction operations are active. In the meantime, we want beachgoers to be able to enjoy the sun, surf, and sand along much of the shorefront this summer.”

According to the department, there will be periodic sand and water closures for dune construction from Beach 136 to Beach 149 streets until September.

The parks department said beginning Memorial Day, approximately 62 blocks of Rockaway Beach will be open to swimming seven days a week, with up to 76 open by July 15. A total of 21 blocks of beach will be open for sand access and recreation only.

The entirely of the Rockaway boardwalk will remain open throughout the summer, the department added.