Beaches are opening? Beaches are opening!

We repeat, so that we ourselves believe it: all beaches (well, except Fort Tilden) will be open for swimming... tomorrow.

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Okay, so the L train won’t be running between 8th ave and Lorimer in Brooklyn for the entirety of Memorial Day weekend. And it’s supposed to be raining for the greater part of the long-anticipated “start of summer.”

Not everything is a bummer, though. In fact, there’s some great weekend news for New Yorkers who like to submerge in water. Despite Sandy, many of our hurricane-devastated beaches will be opening in time for this Memorial Day weekend.

Modular lifeguard stations / bathrooms arrive at the Rockaways
Modular lifeguard stations / bathrooms arrive at the Rockaways. Photo: nycparks.tumblr.com

According to the Parks Department, “thanks to the efforts of NYC Parks staff, federal, state and

municipal agencies, and thousands of volunteers, all New York City beaches will be open for swimming on Saturday, May 25.” That’s tomorrow. We repeat, so that we ourselves believe it: all beaches (well, except Fort Tilden) will be open for swimming… tomorrow.

Here’s the Gothamist’s excellent guide to NYC’s best beaches you can get to without a car.

New York Aquarium by David Shankbone. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
New York Aquarium by David Shankbone. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The New York Aquarium at Coney Island, completely flooded in October, will also open on Saturday. About half of the fish have been relocated to other aquariums and zoos, but the institution will be opening its doors and staying open all year long, as per usual.

On Saturday evening, there’s a planned benefit for Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade, which is scheduled for June 22 but could, for the first time since 1983, be canceled. Let’s hope that the parade, like the beaches and aquarium, stays afloat–bolstered by the resilience of New Yorkers.