City Beaches Prepare For Crowds As Holiday Weekend Approaches
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With the holiday weekend fast approaching, New Yorkers are getting ready to step off of the concrete and into the sand. But only seven months after Sandy, are the city's beaches ready?
"When I first opened the door I saw this gigantic ice machine floating in the kitchen," Wayne Norbitz, president of iconic eatery Nathan's, told CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock on Thursday.
The building was filled with 6 feet of water, and had to close its doors for the first time since 1916.
"Nathan's hot dogs are the best. Come to the beach and help support Coney Island," Bay Ridge resident Alex Llaurado said.
Thousands of New Yorkers will likely be taking Llaurado's advice this weekend when all 14 miles of city beaches will be open.
Queens officials told CBS 2 that they are expecting millions to hit their beaches, especially Rockaway Beach where crews were putting the finishing touches on months of recovery work on Thursday.
"People are working hard to ensure this beach is ready for the millions that will come here this summer," Queens Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik said.
Beaches are ready and lifeguards will be watching the surf starting Saturday, but the boardwalk still needs work. Modular bathrooms have been brought in to replace the ones that were destroyed during Sandy.
At Gateway National Recreation Area beaches and rangers are ready for summer crowds.
"We're pretty excited because every beach but one will not be open, Fort Tilden will not be open," said parks spokesperson Daphne Yun.
Sea Streak ferry service will resume this weekend as well, in spite of the fact that Sandy claimed its dock.
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