View source for Jacob Riis Park

{{for|the park in Illinois|Riis Park (Chicago)}}
{{Short description|Urban park in Queens, New York City, US}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Jacob Riis Park
| photo = Jacob Riis Park.jpg
| photo_width = 275
| photo_caption =
| type = Public park
| mapframe-custom = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|frame-lat=40.682|frame-long=-73.965|zoom=10|type=shape|stroke-color=#000|stroke-width=1|id=Q6119182}}
| map_width = 300px
| map_caption = Location within New York City
| location = [[Queens]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
| coords = {{coord|40|34|3|N|73|52|24|W|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|262|acre|ha}}
| created = 1937
| operator = [[National Park Service]]
| visitation_num =
| status = Open all year
| publictransit = '''[[New York City Bus|Bus]]''': {{NYC bus link|Q22|Q35}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed        = yes
| name         = Jacob Riis Park Historic District
| nrhp_type    = nhld
| image        =
| caption      =
| location     = [[New York City|New York, New York]]
| coordinates  = {{coord|40|34|3|N|73|52|24|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline}}
| area         =
| built        = 1932
| architect    = John L. Plock, [[Gilmore D. Clarke]], [[Aymar Embury II]], Clinton Loyd, Julius Burgevin
| architecture = [[Art Deco]], [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]]
| added        = June 17, 1981<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
| refnum       = 81000081
}}
}}

'''Jacob Riis Park''', also called '''Jacob A. Riis Park'''<ref name="Society1922" /> and '''Riis Park''',<ref name="Group1971">{{cite book|author=Jamaica Bay Environmental Study Group|title=Jamaica Bay and Kennedy Airport: a Multidisciplinary Environmental Study: A Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJgrAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA44|access-date=September 7, 2017|date=January 1, 1971|publisher=National Academies|page=44|isbn=9780309018715|id=NAP:15660}}</ref> is a seaside park on the southwestern portion of the [[Rockaway, Queens|Rockaway Peninsula]] in the [[New York City]] [[Boroughs of New York City|borough]] of [[Queens]]. It lies at the foot of the [[Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge]], east of [[Fort Tilden]], and west of [[Neponsit, Queens|Neponsit]] and [[Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk|Rockaway Beach]]. Originally run by the [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]], it later became part of the Jamaica Bay Unit of the [[Gateway National Recreation Area]], and is managed by the [[National Park Service]] (NPS). It features an extensive sand beach along the [[Atlantic Ocean]] coastline and several historic [[Art Deco]] structures.

In 1912, the city, urged on by social journalist [[Jacob Riis]], acquired the land for a park initially called '''Seaside Park''' and later '''Telawana Park'''.<ref>Kadinsky, Sergey [https://forgotten-ny.com/2024/04/riiss-pieces/ Riss' Pieces] ''[[Forgotten NY]]'' April 7, 2024</ref> In 1914, the park was renamed for Riis. During [[World War I]], the site was used as the [[Rockaway Naval Air Station]], one of the first naval air stations in the United States and, in 1919, the launching point for the [[Curtiss NC-4|first transatlantic flight]]. The [[Art Deco]]-style [[Public bathing|bathhouse]] was built in 1932, but much of the park's infrastructure and approaches were built between 1936 and 1937 by [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|New York City Parks]] Commissioner [[Robert Moses]], who envisioned it as a getaway for New York City residents, like [[Jones Beach State Park]] further east on Long Island. The park was built along with the Marine Parkway Bridge and the [[Belt Parkway]] in nearby Brooklyn, which provided access to the park.

After a period of decline, Jacob Riis Park was transferred in 1974 to the control of the National Park Service. The Jacob Riis Park Historic District was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1981. The [[Neponsit Beach Hospital]], which occupied part of the park's site, was razed in 2023. In addition to the bathhouse, the park contains a north–south central mall; a boardwalk to the north of the beach; a large parking lot; an 18-hole golf course; and several sporting fields. The beaches at Jacob Riis Park, on the south side of the Rockaway peninsula, consists of 15 bays on the Atlantic coast.

==Name==
The park was originally known as '''Seaside Park'''.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989" />{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}} It was later renamed '''Telawana Park'''<ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt1"/>{{rp|321 (PDF p.42)}}<ref name="Lucev2007"/>{{rp|2}} after Culluloo Telewana, who was believed to be the last surviving member of the Rockaway [[Lenape]] tribe until his death in 1818.<ref name="Lucev2007">{{cite book|author=Emil R. Lucev|title=The Rockaways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r51IR9A1R2wC&pg=PA2|access-date=September 3, 2017|year=2007|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-4990-3}}</ref>{{rp|2}}<ref name="RossPelletreau1905">{{cite book|author1=Peter Ross|author2=William Smith Pelletreau|title=A History of Long Island: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4c-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA109|access-date=September 3, 2017|year=1905|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|page=109}}</ref> A monument to Telawana stands in [[Woodsburgh, New York|Woodsburgh, Long Island]], east of Far Rockaway.<ref name="Lucev2007"/>{{rp|2}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bessen|first1=Jeff|title=Woodsburgh marks its centennial: Small village had large impact on the way we live|url=http://liherald.com/fivetowns/stories/Woodsburgh-marks-its-centennial,43780|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[Nassau Herald]]|date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> In 1914, the park was renamed for [[Jacob Riis]], a famous New York City [[muckraker]] journalist and photographer who documented the plight of the poor and working class.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="nyhparks">{{cite web|url=http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/jari.html |title=Jacob Riis Park |publisher=Nyharborparks.org |access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref>

==History==
===Early years===
[[File:Abandoned Tuberculosis Hospital Jacob Riis Beach Rockaways New York 2013 Shankbone.JPEG|thumb|right|[[Neponsit Beach Hospital]] (pictured) was opened in 1915 on Riis Park land, before major park development]]
What is now the site of Jacob Riis Park on the western Rockaway Peninsula was under water as recently as the early 19th century. The peninsula was gradually expanded westward by the natural [[Accretion (coastal management)|accretion]] of sand from tidal action. By 1878, the peninsula extended as far as the current western boundaries of the park. The peninsula reached its current extents by the turn of the 20th century.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989">{{cite book |title=Draft Development Concept Plan and Environmental Assessment, Jacob Riis Park, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York – New Jersey |url=https://archive.org/details/developjacobriis00nati |publisher=[[National Park Service]], [[United States Department of the Interior]] |access-date=September 3, 2017 |date=June 1989}}</ref>{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981">{{cite book |last=Unrau |first=Harlan D. |title=Historic Structure Report, Jacob Riis Park Historic District; Historic Data, Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey – New York; Package No. 109 |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_hsr.pdf |publisher=[[National Park Service]], [[United States Department of the Interior]] |access-date=September 4, 2017 |date=April 1981 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303122134/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_hsr.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>{{rp|2}}<ref name="Alfred Henry Bellot 1918"/>{{rp|22}} During the [[War of 1812]], the United States Army erected a [[blockhouse]] west of the future park site, on what was then an island.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="Lucev2007" />{{rp|99}} It was demolished in 1818.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|1–3}}<ref name="Alfred Henry Bellot 1918"/>{{rp|23}}

In 1880, the [[New York, Woodhaven & Rockaway Railroad]] opened a railroad line between mainland Queens and the Rockaways, with a terminal in [[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Rockaway Park]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·3}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|4–5}} In 1879 with the railroad under construction, several New York businessmen formed the Rockaway Beach Improvement Company and drafted plans to create a landscaped park and amusement area in the western Rockaways. This development would include hotels and a [[horse racing]] track. At the approximate location of modern Riis Park would be a pavilion for beach-goers. The company purchased {{convert|750|acres}} of land between what are now Rockaway Park and [[Breezy Point, Queens|Breezy Point]], and later purchased 750 additional acres farther east. [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], the designer of [[Central Park]], was contracted to survey the site.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|7–8}}<ref name="Lucev2007" />{{rp|89}} Part of one hotel, called the [[Rockaway Beach Hotel]] or the "Hotel Imperial", was opened in August 1881, with other hotels following it, but the park plans never materialized as the park company had gone bankrupt. This incomplete hotel was demolished by 1889.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989" />{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|9}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992">{{cite book |title=Cultural Landscape Report: Jacob Riis Park, Gateway National Recreation Area |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_clr.pdf |author=<nowiki>Lane, Frenchman and Associates, Inc.</nowiki> |publisher=[[National Park Service]], [[United States Department of the Interior]] |access-date=September 3, 2017 |date=1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225074826/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riis_clr.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>{{rp|2·3}}<ref name="Lucev2007" />{{rp|89}} A streetcar line running across the peninsula, operated by the [[Ocean Electric Railway]], opened in 1897, with its western end past Beach 149th Street within the modern park site.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989" />{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|9–10}}
<!--*Rockaway Point Lifesaving Station.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>-->

===Acquisition of park property===
In 1900, the property that would later would become Riis Park was acquired by Edward P. Hatch as part of two lots totaling {{convert|1000|acre|9}} in size. The first plot, the "Hatch Tract," was {{convert|350|acre|0}} while the second "[[Belle Harbor, Queens|Bell Harbor]] tract" was {{convert|650|acre|0}}. The land consisted predominantly of marshland and meadows yet to be developed.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|10–11}}<ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt2">{{cite web|title=Department of Parks: Borough of Queens; 1912 Annual Report|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4321annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1912_part2.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206234116/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4321annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1912_part2.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 6, 2017|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|Department of Parks: Borough of Queens]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=1912}}</ref> From 1902 to 1903, the City of New York initially attempted to create a seaside beach park in [[Staten Island]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|14}} In 1904,<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/><ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt2"/><ref name="Society1922"/><ref name="Rockawave-SeasidePark-Board-Mar1907">{{cite news|title=The Big Seaside Park: Full Report Adopted by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment last Friday|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201905-1908%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201905-1908%2520sp%2520-%25200609.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=March 16, 1907|page=1}}</ref> the city planned to build an oceanside park in the western Rockaways near Rockaway Point (Breezy Point), supported by Jacob Riis' [[Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor]]. The Association, as well as New York City Mayor [[George B. McClellan Jr.]] and [[Bellevue Hospital|Bellevue and Allied Hospitals]] president John W. Brannon, also lobbied for a hospital and "[[convalescent home]]" to be established.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|15}}<ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt2"/><ref name="Society1922">{{cite book|author=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society|title=Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society to the Legislature of the State of New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EdxBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA31|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=1922|pages=30–31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Plea for Oceanside Park|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252010%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%25201909%2520Grayscale%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Evening%2520Post%25201909%2520Grayscale%2520-%25204270.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2017|work=[[New York Evening Post]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=1907}}</ref><ref name="Poor1907">{{cite book|author=New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor|title=Annual Report of the New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor for the Fiscal Year ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=My4rAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA43|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=1907|publisher=The Association.|pages=43–44}}</ref> In March 1906, Hatch expressed interest in selling the "Hatch tract", with an asking price of $1 million.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|16}} On May 15, 1906, an act was passed in the [[New York State Legislature]] allowing for the purchase of beach property in or outside of the city for a maximum of $2.5 million. The act also allowed a portion of the property to be leased for the creation of hospitals.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|16}} The Hatch tract was favored over other potential locations such as [[Coney Island, Brooklyn|Coney Island]] and Staten Island, due to its large beach area continuously extended by tidal action, and beaches and surf of higher quality than the other sites.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|16–17}} Because Hatch was offering the property at a much higher price than its appraised value of $200,000, the city sought to acquire the site via condemnation.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|17}} Efforts to develop the park, then called Seaside Park, and the hospital were suspended on November 1, 1907,<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|18}}<ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt2"/><ref name="Rockawave-SeasidePk-Dec1909"/> due to the [[panic of 1907]],<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|18}}<ref name="Fayette-SeasideHosp-1912">{{cite news|title=Cripple Aids Poor; Boy Caused Erection of Hospital to Cost $250,000|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252023%2FFayette%2520MS%2520Chronicle%2FFayette%2520MS%2520Chronicle%2520%25201908-1912%2FFayette%2520MS%2520Chronicle%2520%25201908-1912%2520%25281139%2529.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2017|work=The Fayette Chronicle|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=1912}}</ref> but resurrected in 1909 after campaigning from citizens and philanthropic groups.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|18}}<ref name="Rockawave-SeasidePk-Dec1909">{{cite news|title=Seaside Park Being Urged|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201908-1909%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201908-1909%2520-%25200638.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=December 4, 1909|page=1}}</ref>

Following the death of Hatch in 1908, the Hatch tract was acquired first by the West Rockaway Land Company.<ref name="Alfred Henry Bellot 1918"/>{{rp|26}} It was then sold to the Neponsit Realty Company,<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|18}}<ref name="Lucev2007"/>{{rp|105}} which was developing the [[Neponsit, Queens|Neponsit]] neighborhood.<ref name="Society1922"/><ref name="Alfred Henry Bellot 1918">{{cite book|author=Alfred Henry Bellot|title=History of the Rockaways from the year 1685 to 1917: being a complete record and review of events of historical importance during that period in the Rockaway Peninsula, comprising the villages of Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Inwood, Far Rockaway, Arverne, Rockaway Beach, Belle Harbor, Neponsit and Rockaway Point|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMspAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA26|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=1918|publisher=Bellot's histories, inc.|page=22−26}}</ref>{{rp|26}} Now valued between $850,000 and $1.05 million, the Neponsit Company offered to sell the site for $1.5 million.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|18}} Meanwhile, the New York Parks and Playgrounds Association campaigned for the city to purchase land for a {{convert|250|acre|0}} park in western Rockaway. The Parks Association created a Seaside Park Committee, with the social reformer [[Jacob Riis]] as its chairman.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|20}} The tract was acquired by the city on March 21, 1912 via condemnation, with the city paying around $1.3 million for the site.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|26}}<ref name="QnsPk-1912Report-Pt1">{{cite web|title=Department of Parks: Borough of Queens; 1912 Annual Report|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4320annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1912_part1.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|Department of Parks: Borough of Queens]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=1912|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222101533/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4320annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1912_part1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|321 (PDF p.42)}}<ref name="Society1922" /> Around this time, the park was renamed Telawana Park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|30}}<ref name="NYTimes-RiisPk-May1914"/> On March 25, 1913, the tract was transferred to the [[New York City Parks Department]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|26}} The site for the hospital at the east end of the beach was transferred from the Parks Department on April 24, 1913.<ref name="Carol P. Kaplan 2003">{{cite book|author1=Lawrence Kaplan|author2=Carol P. Kaplan|title=Between Ocean and City: The Transformation of Rockaway, New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkR7XDsAXOoC&pg=PA82|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=2003|publisher=[[Columbia University Press]]|isbn=978-0-231-12848-3|pages=82–83}}</ref><ref name="Rockawave-Neponsit-Ap1913">{{cite news|title=$250,000 Building; To be Erected at Seaside Park for Hospital Use|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201913%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201913%2520-%25200194.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=April 26, 1913|page=1}}</ref>

After Riis died in May 1914, former United States President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] advocated for the renaming of the park to Jacob Riis Park.<ref name="NPS-RiisBust"/><ref name="NYTimes-RiisPk-May1914">{{cite news|title=Jacob A. Riis Park: Movement Starter to Change Name of Rockaway Beach Tract|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06E2D8173AE633A2575BC2A9639C946596D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 28, 1914|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053238/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06E2D8173AE633A2575BC2A9639C946596D6CF&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> The name change was approved on January 4, 1915.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|32}} [[Neponsit Beach Hospital for Children]] opened on April 16, 1915.<ref name="Hospitals1915">{{cite book|author=Bellevue and Allied Hospitals|title=Annual Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=58pCAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA39|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=1915|pages=39–40}}</ref> Beginning in late 1915, [[jetty|jetties]] were installed along the beach in order to prevent [[Coastal erosion|beach erosion]], and to capture sand from tidal action in order to extend the beach. The jetties were based on similar structures used in nearby Neponsit. By 1917, {{convert|10|acres|}} of land were added to the beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|34–36}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Ocean Gives City Five Acres of Land|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/55290243/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 20, 1916|page=5|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802024546/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/55290243/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Plan to "Steal" 30 Acres from Ocean|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/55287869/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 6, 1916|page=4|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802033231/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/55287869/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref>

The original plan for the park was created by Parks Department landscape architect Carl F. Pilat in 1913.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992"/>{{rp|2·3}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|29}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-PilatPlan-Jun1930"/><ref name="LandArchMag-1914"/> Pilat was the nephew of [[Ignatz Anton Pilát]],<ref name="Society1915">{{cite book|author=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society|title=Annual Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2MAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA154|access-date=September 3, 2017|year=1915|publisher=J.B. Lyon Company|page=154}}</ref> and had also designed [[Astoria Park]] around the same time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astoria Park Pool and Play Center|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2196.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=June 20, 2006|archive-date=December 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226211756/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2196.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Pilat's design would have deviated significantly from the current layout. Much of the property north of [[Rockaway Beach Boulevard]] (then called Washington Avenue) would have been developed into recreational space with fields and courts for sports. Pilat's layout of the park utilized [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] planning, characterized by pedestrian pathways organized in an axial arrangement, with focal points at the southern beach "[[esplanade]]", and at a [[bandstand]] at the north end of the park. The Jamaica Bay coastline at the north end of the site would have been utilized for an additional beach and boardwalk, along with a marine basin for boats, and a lagoon. In addition to the space on the Atlantic Ocean coast used by Neponsit Hospital, an additional tract on the west end of the beach would be utilized for a second health facility; only one-third of the beach would have been part of the park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992"/>{{rp|2·4}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-PilatPlan-Jun1930">{{cite news|title=PLAN TO BEAUTIFY RIIS PARK REVIVED; Development Outlined by C.F. Pilat in 1916 Competition Now Is Being Modernized. APPROVED BY CIVIC BODIES Queens Park Commission Prepares to Begin Work With Recent Allotment of $90,000. Plans Receive Backing. Would Preserve Shrubbery.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/06/23/archives/plan-to-beautify-riis-park-revived-development-outlined-by-cf-pilat.html|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 23, 1930|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215657/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/06/23/archives/plan-to-beautify-riis-park-revived-development-outlined-by-cf-pilat.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LandArchMag-1914">{{cite journal|title=Competition for Landscape Design|journal=[[Landscape Architecture (magazine)|Landscape Architecture]]|date=1914|volume=4|pages=66–71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KblCAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR3|access-date=September 3, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Survey-Telewana-1914">{{cite journal|title=Rockaway Beach for Bathers or Institutions?|journal=The Survey|date=January 17, 1914|volume=31|issue=16|pages=455–456|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nvZAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA456|access-date=September 3, 2017|publisher=New York Survey Associates, Inc.}}</ref> The Parks Department had held a contest in 1913 accepting submission of designs for the park. Pilat's plan incorporated elements of the six finalists in the competition.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992"/>{{rp|2·4}}<ref name="LandArchMag-1914"/> At the time, the Pilat plan was considered too expensive and was not implemented.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-PilatPlan-Jun1930"/> Because of this and the onset of [[World War I]], Riis Park remained largely undeveloped into the 1930s.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992"/>{{rp|2·5}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>
{{rp|40}} Similar Beaux-Arts planning would later be incorporated into the fairgrounds of [[Flushing Meadows–Corona Park|Flushing Meadows]] during the [[1939 New York World's Fair]].<ref name="FMCP-HistoricStudio-May2015">{{cite web|title=Flushing Meadows-Corona Park: Historic Preservation Studio|url=https://issuu.com/barrettreiter/docs/fmcp_hpstudioii2015_printedition_re|publisher=[[Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation]]|access-date=March 31, 2017|date=May 3, 2015|archive-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401145529/https://issuu.com/barrettreiter/docs/fmcp_hpstudioii2015_printedition_re|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FMCPStrategic-03Then&Now">{{cite web|title=Flushing Meadows Corona Park Strategic Framework Plan; Conceptual Framework|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_flushing_meadows/presentation/03conceptualframework1.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]]|access-date=2023-09-02|archive-date=2022-10-09|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/vt_flushing_meadows/presentation/03conceptualframework1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-QnsPkRising-1936">{{cite news|title=VAST QUEENS PARK RISING ON FAIR SITE|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html|access-date=April 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 6, 1936|archive-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407073023/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/12/06/archives/vast-queens-park-rising-on-fair-site-moses-says-improvements-in-are.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Use as a military base===
[[File:NAS Rockaway 1917 NAN12-67.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of [[Naval Air Station Rockaway|NAS Rockaway]] in 1917]]
In 1917, with the emergence of World War I, the park site was leased to the [[United States Navy]] to create [[Naval Air Station Rockaway]], one of the first naval air stations in the country.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref name="Society1922" /> A permit was issued by the Parks Department to the federal government on April 16, 1917, with {{convert|60|acre|0}} allotted to the base.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/> The station began operations on October 15 of that year.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|46}} An additional {{convert|34|acres}} were ceded to the station in March 1915.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|46–47}} The now-{{convert|94|acre|0|adj=on}} base extended from Fort Tilden east to the location of the modern bathhouse.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|47}} The station would be used as the departure point for the first [[transatlantic flight]] in 1919, accomplished by the [[Glenn Curtiss]]-designed [[NC-4]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|5 (PDF p.11)}}<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/download/nc4-8.pdf "The First Flight Across the Atlantic"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925085006/http://www.history.navy.mil/download/nc4-8.pdf |date=September 25, 2007 }}, [[Naval Historical Center]]. Accessed July 11, 2007. "Soon the NC-l would establish a record by carrying 51 men aloft, including the first deliberate stowaway in aviation history."</ref> By the time the base was complete, the remaining {{convert|168|acre|0}} of the park had little development occurring.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|40}}

On January 20, 1921, US Navy Rear Admiral [[James H. Glennon]] requested that the city cede the {{convert|94|acre|0|adj=on}} site to the federal government in order to maintain the naval station.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|51}}<ref name="Society1922" /> The request was initially refused, but the dispute continued on for the rest of the decade.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|52–56}} The station was inactive from 1922 to 1925 and became an armory for the [[New York Naval Militia]] from 1928 to 1929.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|50–51}} The dispute finally ended in 1930, when the Navy moved to facilities in [[Valley Stream, New York|Valley Stream, Long Island]], North Beach Airport (now [[LaGuardia Airport]]), and later [[Floyd Bennett Field]] in Brooklyn directly across from Riis Park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|55}}<ref>{{cite news|title=RIIS PARK DISPUTE ENDED.; City Leases 2 Private Flying Fields for Naval Militia Temporarily.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E5DB1339E03ABC4851DFB466838B629EDE&legacy=true|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 20, 1930|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053331/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E5DB1339E03ABC4851DFB466838B629EDE&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref>  The base was vacated by June 1930, and demolition of the base was ordered in October 1930.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|57}}<ref>{{cite news|title=TO WRECK AIR BASE AT ROCKAWAY BEACH; Navy Department Asks Bids for the Demolition of the War. Time Plane Station. SITE WILL BECOME A PARK Fifty-one Buildings Will Be Removed and Property Will BeRestored to City. Rockaway Hails Park Plan.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/10/12/archives/to-wreck-air-base-at-rockaway-beach-navy-department-asks-bids-for.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 12, 1930|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215014/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/10/12/archives/to-wreck-air-base-at-rockaway-beach-navy-department-asks-bids-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Initial development of Riis Park===
[[File:Detail view of Riis bronze plaque, north gallery, with scale - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-63.tif|thumb|right|The 1932 plaque commemorating the completion of the bathhouse]]
[[File:General view looking from the second level roof to west courtyard with bathhouses - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-74.tif|thumb|right|The changing rooms in the courtyard of the Riis Park bathhouse, since removed]]
On October 17, 1925, a ferry service was opened between [[Barren Island, Brooklyn]] (later [[Floyd Bennett Field]] airport) and Riis Park.<ref>{{cite news|title=ROCKAWAY FERRY OPENED BY HYLAN|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F07EFDE1F38E233A2575BC1A9669D946495D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 18, 1925|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053352/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F07EFDE1F38E233A2575BC1A9669D946495D6CF&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1926, a short [[macadam]] transverse road was created between Washington Avenue and the ferry terminal.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|41}} The road was later paved with concrete, and expanded from {{convert|20|ft|m}} wide to {{convert|40|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="QnsPk-1926Report">{{cite web|title=Annual Report of the Department of Parks, Borough of Queens, City of New York, for the year 1926|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4074annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1926.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|Department of Parks: Borough of Queens]]|access-date=September 24, 2017|date=March 15, 1929|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203101236/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4074annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1926.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|14}} A small concession stand was also constructed at the west end of the park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|41–42}} From 1926 to 1927, the beach protection system was expanded to the western section of the park, with additional [[groyne|groins]] installed.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|42–43}} From 1927 to 1929, Washington Avenue was widened and paved, with a sidewalk added to both Washington Avenue and the ferry transverse road. Other minor improvements to the park took place at this time.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|43}}<ref name="QnsPk-1927-28Report">{{cite web|title=Annual Report of the Department of Parks, Borough of Queens, City of New York, for the years 1927 and 1928|url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4495annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1927-28.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|Department of Parks: Borough of Queens]]|access-date=September 24, 2017|date=March 15, 1929|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211190539/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/records/pdf/govpub/4495annual_report_queens_dept_parks_1927-28.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|13, 32–33}} In July 1929, an existing 1,000-car parking lot was enlarged. By this time, the patronage of Jacob Riis Park was increasing.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|45–46}}<ref>{{cite news|title=EXODUS TO ROCKAWAY FOR SUMMER BEGINS; 150,000 Go by Auto and Truck to Cottages at Beaches--Father and Son Rescued.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/06/29/archives/exodus-to-rockaway-for-summer-begins-150000-go-by-auto-and-truck-to.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 29, 1930|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502141507/https://www.nytimes.com/1930/06/29/archives/exodus-to-rockaway-for-summer-begins-150000-go-by-auto-and-truck-to.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, in 1929 the [[New York City Board of Transportation]] released a [[IND Second System|major expansion plan]] for the [[New York City Subway]]. One of the new routes in the plan involved recapturing the New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad, which by this time became the [[Rockaway Beach Branch]] of the [[Long Island Rail Road]], and extending it as a subway line west from Rockaway Park to Jacob Riis Park. The extension of the line to the park was never constructed.<ref name="NYTimes-OurGreatSubway-IND2ndSystem-1929">{{cite web|last1=Duffus|first1=R.L.|title=OUR GREAT SUBWAY NETWORK SPREADS WIDER; New Plans of Board of Transportation Involve the Building of More Than One Hundred Miles of Additional Rapid Transit Routes for New York|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/22/archives/our-great-subway-network-spreads-wider-new-plans-of-board-of.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 19, 2015|date=September 22, 1929|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613235125/https://www.nytimes.com/1929/09/22/archives/our-great-subway-network-spreads-wider-new-plans-of-board-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=IND2ndSystem1929Map>[[:File:1929 IND Second System.jpg|Board of Transportation of the City of New York Engineering Department, Proposed Additional Rapid Transit Lines And Proposed Vehicular Tunnel]], dated August 23, 1929</ref><!--<ref name=IND2ndSystem1939Map>[[:Image:1939 IND Second System.jpg|Project for Expanded Rapid Transit Facilities, New York City Transit System]], dated July 5, 1939</ref>--><ref name="Raskin-RoutesNotTaken-2013">{{Cite Routes Not Taken}}</ref>

After the remainder of Riis Park was relinquished by the Navy, in fall 1930 Queens Parks Commissioner Albert C. Benninger proposed the construction of a bathing pavilion at Jacob Riis Park. Benninger had been inspired by the design of the bathhouse at [[Jones Beach State Park]], completed in August 1929 by then-Long Island Parks Commissioner [[Robert Moses]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|60}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Jacob Riis Park|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59977952/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 7, 1932|page=24|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802020244/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59977952/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to this, beach-goers were forced to change their clothes in their cars.<ref name="QnsPk-1927-28Report"/>{{rp|13}} The designs were prepared by architect John L. Plock in November 1930.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The project was approved by the mayor's office in February 1931.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The foundation of the building was completed in August 1931.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|60}} Contracts were let for building construction in September 1931.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|61}} Later that month, Benninger requested an additional $105,000 for the project from the [[New York City Board of Estimate]], on top of the initial $425,000 appropriated.<ref>{{cite news|title=GETS $105,000 MORE FOR RIIS PARK WORK; Benninger Obtains Estimate Board Approval to Spend $530,469 Instead of $425,000.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/30/archives/gets-105000-more-for-riis-park-work-benninger-obtains-estimate.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 30, 1931|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215125/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/30/archives/gets-105000-more-for-riis-park-work-benninger-obtains-estimate.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction began on November 23, 1931.<ref>{{cite news|title=Riis Park Pavilion Project Is to Get Under Way Today|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/57300487/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 23, 1931|page=28|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802032219/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/57300487/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Work Of Constructing Bathing Pavilion In Riis Park Is Started|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201931-1932%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201931-1932%2520-%25202744.pdf |access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=November 26, 1931|page=5}}</ref> The bathhouse was opened on August 6, 1932. At the time, it was only 60 percent completed.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·5}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug1932">{{cite news|title=RIIS PARK PAVILION TO OPEN TOMORROW; Mayor Will Speak at Ceremony at New Bathing Centre -- Police Band to Play. BUILDING WORK SPEEDED Benninger Says Structure Will Be "Completed in Every Respect" Despite Recent Delays.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE3DC1E3EE633A25756C0A96E9C946394D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 5, 1932|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053119/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE3DC1E3EE633A25756C0A96E9C946394D6CF&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BklynEAgle-Riis-Bath-Open-Aug1932">{{cite news|title=Rockaways Get Hilly Pledge on Rapid Transit|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59977334/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 7, 1932|page=3|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802031001/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59977334/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref> Additional work was completed in May 1933, including lockers, the restaurant, and the [[Sunroom|solarium]].<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|64}}<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Solarium-Jan1933" /> The solarium was expected to be the largest in the world at the time.<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Solarium-Jan1933" /><ref name="Rockawave-Riis-Solarium-Sep1932" /> A [[seawall]] running in front of the bathhouse along the beach and parking facilities for 5,000 cars were also completed by 1933.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|64}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Moses-Model-Aug1934"/> At this time, Riis Park received 25,000 daily visitors during summer months.<ref name="RiisPkBrochure-1985"/>

While the bathhouse was being constructed, several plans were evaluated for developing Riis Park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·5 to 2·7}}<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-RPA-May1932"/> Carl Pilat's 1913 plan for the park was briefly revived in 1930, but not developed.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-PilatPlan-Jun1930"/> On August 26, 1931, Commissioner Benninger invited several architects to a conference held in conjunction the New York chapters of the [[American Society of Landscape Architects]]. Among the architects invited included [[Gilmore D. Clarke]], then the landscape architect for [[Westchester County, New York]].<ref>{{cite news|title=TO WEIGH RIIS PARK PLANS; Benninger, Architects and Park Association Officers Meet Tomorrow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/08/25/archives/to-weigh-riis-park-plans-benninger-architects-and-park-association.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 25, 1931|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215737/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/08/25/archives/to-weigh-riis-park-plans-benninger-architects-and-park-association.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Three plans were later created by independent groups, none of which were developed. The first was from Harold A. Caparn of the City Club's park committee in 1931. The second was created by Earl Morrow of the [[Regional Plan Association]] (RPA) in 1932. The third was drawn up by Julius V. Burgevin & Joseph Gatringer of the New York City Park Board in 1933. All the plans suggested developing the northern portion of the property in addition to the southern beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·6 to 2·7}}<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-RPA-May1932"/> When presenting the RPA's plans in May 1932, RPA president [[George McAneny]] referred to Pilat's plans as "no longer practical", due to the lack of provisions for highways and automobile parking.<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-RPA-May1932">{{cite news|title=Would Add Ft. Tilden To Riis Acreage|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59972377/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 2, 1932|page=25|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802032856/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59972377/?terms=%22riis+park%22|url-status=live}}</ref> While presenting the park plan, McAneny also put forward plans for a vehicular bridge or tunnel between Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn and the Riis Park/Fort Tilden area, acting as an extension of [[Flatbush Avenue]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Would Connect Riis Park Area With Brooklyn|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59972233/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 2, 1932|page=17|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802025539/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59972233/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the bathhouse was built based on the RPA plans, it and the other plans were rejected in part due to the difficulty and high cost of landscaping and planting in the area.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Jun71937">{{cite news|title=BEACH AT RIIS PARK TO OPEN ON JUNE 19; Attractive Seaside Resort Has Been Created on Former Waste of Sand Dunes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/07/archives/beach-at-riis-park-to-open-on-june-19-attractive-seaside-resort-has.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 7, 1937|archive-date=March 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322094814/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/07/archives/beach-at-riis-park-to-open-on-june-19-attractive-seaside-resort-has.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Expansion under Robert Moses===
[[File:Marine2 (7448168582).jpg|thumb|left|The construction of the [[Marine Parkway Bridge]], Riis Park (bottom right), and [[Fort Tilden]] (bottom left) in 1937. The ferry landings at Riis Park/Fort Tilden and [[Floyd Bennett Field]] are also present]]
In January 1934, [[Robert Moses]] was appointed commissioner of the [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]], newly unified from the five borough departments.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·10}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|70}} Moses wished to develop Riis Park into an urban iteration of Jones Beach for working-class New York City residents.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·10}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Moses-Model-Aug1934"/> <!--The [[Atlantic Ocean]] beach, boardwalks, courtyards, and walkways gave the city's poor a respite from cramped tenements and crowded city streets.--> Under Moses, alterations to the bathhouse began in April 1934 with funds from the [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA).<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> Moses was critical of the previous operation of the park, including the contracting of an outside firm to operate concessions and services, leading to deteriorating conditions in the park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|72–73}} Moses canceled nearly all outside contracts and formed the Riis Management Corporation to run services.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|77}} Improvements to the other park structures were also completed as WPA projects.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|77}} From 1934 to 1935, Riis Park was the only facility run by the Parks Department to generate revenue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Revenue Shows Gain: Marked Increase Reported in Attendance |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2520-%25206231.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D15c47240%26DocId%3D4839962%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D10%26hits%3D53a%2B53b%2B54f%2B550%2B557%2B558%2B575%2B576%2B1290%2B1291%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2520-%25206231.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D15c47240%26DocId%3D4839962%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D10%26hits%3D53a%2B53b%2B54f%2B550%2B557%2B558%2B575%2B576%2B1290%2B1291%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=24 July 2018 |work=Long Island Daily Press |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=September 27, 1937 |page=2}}</ref>

On August 6, 1934, Moses released his plan for Riis Park, designed by [[Gilmore D. Clarke]], Julius Burgevin, W. Earle Andrews, and Clinton Loyd. The plan, designed in Beaux-Arts style, featured elements of the final design: the massive parking area for 15,000 cars, the road plan with a roundabout, and a central pedestrian mall running north to south. A second bathhouse structure would be built on the west side of the park, containing a swimming pool. Also included were a [[causeway]] and/or bridge linking to Brooklyn.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·11 to 2·12}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|81–85}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Moses-Model-Aug1934">{{cite news|title=Moses to Develop Riis Park as Model; Plans a 'Second Jones Beach' on City Ocean Front, Correcting Predecessor's Errors. TO REMODEL BATHHOUSE Will Raze Part of It and Take Out Sea Wall to Quadruple Space for Bathers.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D05EFDA153FE53ABC4F53DFBE66838F629EDE&legacy=true|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 7, 1934|location=[[Wantagh, New York]]|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053117/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D05EFDA153FE53ABC4F53DFBE66838F629EDE&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Moses was also critical of several aspects of earlier park plans and the layout created under Benninger, including the placement of the bathhouse and seawall too close to the shore, and the lack of parking spaces. Moses believed the location of the bathhouse and bulkhead left a minimal portion of beach during high tide, and limited future expansion of the beach. The lack of parking, meanwhile, limited the use of the bathhouse, which could accommodate more people than the lot could fit cars.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|89}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Moses-Model-Aug1934"/> Under Moses's plan, the large parking lot would facilitate traffic from the Belt Parkway and the Marine Parkway Bridge.<ref name="nyhparks"/><ref name="LowTaplin2009"/> The 1934 plan was not implemented due to opposition from the local communities. Among the reasons for the resistance were fears of bringing in individuals from other parts of the city to the Rockaways, and the possibility of Riis Park out-competing privately owned beaches and resorts, leading to declines in property values.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·12}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/>

In 1936, Moses released what would be the final plan for Jacob Riis Park, designed by Clarke, Loyd, and Parks Department architect [[Aymar Embury II]]. This plan moved the mall to the western end of the property, with a design similar to that of [[Orchard Beach, Bronx|Orchard Beach]] which was being built in the Bronx at the same time.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The parking area design was altered from two square lots in the 1934 plan, into the current large curved and asymmetrical lot.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The bathhouse was reconfigured, shortening the face of the beach pavilion and altering its design to use simpler [[Art Deco]] elements.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Moses-Model-Aug1934"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-JonesModel-Jun1937" /> The modern road layout was created, which including altering the route of Rockaway Beach Boulevard in front of the bathhouse. Initially running at a diagonal to the bathhouse's front face, the boulevard was straightened and moved farther north. It was also truncated to the western end of the parking lot.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13, 2·15}} The original seawall was replaced and recessed farther north along the new boardwalk.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|7·3}} The mall buildings and golf course were also created at this time.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13}}  In 1936, Moses asked the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] for $3.6 million to improve Jacob Riis Park, [[Fort Tryon Park]], [[Pelham Bay Park]], and the two [[Marine Park (Brooklyn park)|Marine Parks]]. But these funds, along with similar amounts Moses requested from the Board of Estimate in each of the next several years, went mostly to build the [[Marine Parkway Bridge]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·12}} Jacob Riis Park was completed for a total of $3.5 million, mostly from the WPA.<ref name="Caro 1974">{{Cite Power Broker}}</ref>{{rp|476}} 

[[File:General view looking from the center of mall north to New York City; Empire State Building in extreme distance - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-1.tif|thumb|right|Looking north from the central mall, built in 1936. In the remote distance is the [[Empire State Building]] ]]
Work to enlarge the beach from 8 to 24 acres began on April 1, 1936.<ref>{{cite news|title=RIIS PARK WORK BEGUN; Beach Will Be Extended North of the Original Bulkhead.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/02/archives/riis-park-work-begun-beach-will-be-extended-north-of-the-original.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 2, 1936|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310205845/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/04/02/archives/riis-park-work-begun-beach-will-be-extended-north-of-the-original.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  About {{convert|2000000|cuyd|m3}} of sand were dredged from Jamaica Bay.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13, 2·15}} The topography of the beach was leveled, with numerous dunes eliminated.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13, 2·15}}<ref name="LowTaplin2009" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-JonesModel-Jun1937" /> The parking lot was partially opened in June 1936 with a 6,000-car capacity.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}} On June 15, 1936, [[Green Bus Lines]] started the [[Q21 (New York City bus)|Q21B]] bus route, operating from Brooklyn and mainland Queens to Riis Park via [[Cross Bay Boulevard]].<ref name="Rockawave-Q21BRiis-June1936">{{cite news|title=New Bus Route Here: Express Service Between Brooklyn, Seaside and Riis Park, Monday.|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201935-1936%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201935-1936%2520-%25200641.pdf |access-date=January 12, 2016|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 11, 1936}}</ref><ref name="LIDaily-GreenLinesAd-Aug1936">{{cite news|title=Green Bus Lines Incorporated|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201936%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201936%2520-%25204897.pdf |access-date=January 12, 2016|work=Long Island Daily Press|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=August 24, 1936|page=13}}</ref> The upgraded Jacob Riis Park was initially set to open along with Orchard Beach on June 19, 1937,<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937">{{cite news|title=TWO NEW BEACHES TO OPEN SATURDAY; Orchard, in Pelham Bay Park, Although Not Completed, Will Be Ready for Bathers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/13/archives/two-new-beaches-to-open-saturday-orchard-in-pelham-bay-park.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 13, 1937|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215150/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/13/archives/two-new-beaches-to-open-saturday-orchard-in-pelham-bay-park.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but the openings were pushed back due to unfinished work.<ref>{{cite news|title=City Beach Openings Put Off|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/16/archives/city-beach-openings-put-off.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 16, 1937|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403205920/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/16/archives/city-beach-openings-put-off.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Both beaches were opened on June 25, 1937.<ref>{{cite news|title=TWO CITY BEACHES OPEN FOR SEASON; Jacob Riis Park, on the Ocean, Attracts 2,500--Few Bathers Brave the Chilly Water 3,000 AT ORCHARD BEACH At Least 1,000 Try Swimming in Long Island Sound--Joint Capacity of 500,000 NEW YORK OPENS TWO NEW RECREATIONAL AREAS TO PUBLIC|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E5DC1238E237A75755C2A9609C946694D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 26, 1937|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053334/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E00E5DC1238E237A75755C2A9609C946694D6CF&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Work on the parking lot and bathhouse were completed at this time.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}

The Marine Parkway Bridge was opened July 3, 1937,<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref>{{cite news|title=NEW RIIS PARK SPAN IS OPENED BY MAYOR; He Pays High Tribute to Moses at Dedication of Bridge Over Rockaway Inlet|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/04/archives/new-riis-park-span-is-opened-by-mayor-he-pays-high-tribute-to-moses.html|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 4, 1937|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140230/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/07/04/archives/new-riis-park-span-is-opened-by-mayor-he-pays-high-tribute-to-moses.html|url-status=live}}</ref> after which the ferry service to Riis Park was discontinued.<ref>{{cite news|title=MARINE BRIDGE IN PLACE; Span Over Jamaica Inlet to Be Open to Public July 3|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/05/26/archives/marine-bridge-in-place-span-over-jamaica-inlet-to-be-open-to-public.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 26, 1937|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502212355/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/05/26/archives/marine-bridge-in-place-span-over-jamaica-inlet-to-be-open-to-public.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With the opening of the bridge, Green Bus Lines created a new route, the [[Q35 (New York City bus)|Q35]], operating across the bridge between Riis Park and the [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush−Nostrand Avenues]] station in Brooklyn.<ref name="NYTimes-GBLQ35-1937">[[New York Times]], [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0F1FF8345E177A93C1A9178CD85F438385F9 Rockaway Bus Line Extends Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313223210/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0F1FF8345E177A93C1A9178CD85F438385F9 |date=2014-03-13 }}, July 3, 1937, page 17</ref><ref name="LIDaily-Riis-NewRecord-Jul1937"/> In addition, the Brooklyn Bus Corporation extended their [[B2 (New York City bus)|B2]] bus route to Riis Park.<ref name="LIDaily-Riis-NewRecord-Jul1937">{{cite news |title=Crowds Set New Record at Rockaways: 7,300,000 Visit Beaches in First 11 Days of July |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2520-%25204486.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dfffffffff0bded13%26DocId%3D4838245%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D12%26hits%3D444%2B445%2B476%2B477%2B499%2B49a%2B7fe%2B7ff%2B810%2B811%2B82e%2B82f%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201937%2520-%25204486.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dfffffffff0bded13%26DocId%3D4838245%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D12%26hits%3D444%2B445%2B476%2B477%2B499%2B49a%2B7fe%2B7ff%2B810%2B811%2B82e%2B82f%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=23 July 2018 |work=Long Island Daily Press |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=July 15, 1937 |page=13}}</ref><ref name="Department of Public Service Metropolitan Division Transit Commission 1937">{{Cite book|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3003287;view=1up;seq=181|title=Sixteenth Annual Report For the Calendar Year 1936|publisher=Department of Public Service Metropolitan Division Transit Commission|year=1937|access-date=2023-09-02|archive-date=2022-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511032609/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3003287;view=1up;seq=181|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|167, 500}} Due to increasing bus traffic, the Parks Department and the Brooklyn Bus Corporation constructed an enclosed bus shelter with turnstiles to expedite passenger boarding.<ref name="Department of Public Service Metropolitan Division Transit Commission 1937"/>{{rp|167}} On Friday August 6, 1937, the park began holding weekly fireworks shows.<ref>{{cite news|title=FIREWORKS AT RIIS PARK; Displays Opening Tonight Will Take Place Each Friday in August|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E4D6163DE23ABC4E53DFBE66838C629EDE&legacy=true|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 6, 1937|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053348/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F05E4D6163DE23ABC4E53DFBE66838C629EDE&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> The park's [[pitch and putt]] golf course was opened on May 14, 1938.<ref>{{cite news |title=Riis Park Opens Miniature Course |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201938%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201938%2520-%25204501.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff94c691b3%26DocId%3D4846907%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D8%26hits%3De08%2Be09%2Be40%2Be41%2B18ea%2B18eb%2B18f7%2B18f8%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201938%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201938%2520-%25204501.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff94c691b3%26DocId%3D4846907%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D8%26hits%3De08%2Be09%2Be40%2Be41%2B18ea%2B18eb%2B18f7%2B18f8%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=24 July 2018 |work=Long Island Daily Press |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=May 14, 1938 |page=2}}</ref> The [[Belt Parkway]] system was opened in June 1940, connecting to the Marine Parkway Bridge.<ref name="opened">{{cite news|title=Belt Road To Open to Traffic Today|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 29, 1940|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/29/archives/belt-road-to-open-to-traffic-today-in-the-30000000-belt-parkway.html|page=12|access-date=September 2, 2023|archive-date=December 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222205746/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/29/archives/belt-road-to-open-to-traffic-today-in-the-30000000-belt-parkway.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A lighted softball field just west of the bathhouse was created in summer 1940.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|168}} A bust of Jacob Riis at the western mall building was completed on October 14, 1940.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|175}} The Wise and Son street clock was installed on the boardwalk on March 4, 1941.<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Clock-Mar1941" /> The bathhouse and other structures were waterproofed in 1943.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|188, 198}} The stairs from the beach and boardwalk to the second floor of the bathhouse were removed between 1948 and 1949. The second-floor cafeteria, meanwhile, was replaced with additional lockers, while a new cafeteria was built on the first floor.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|188–189}} Numerous other renovations took place between 1949 and 1958.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|181–201}}

===Acquisition of Neponsit Hospital property===
[[File:Jacob Riis Park td (2018-08-03) 019.jpg|thumb|right|These two baseball diamonds were built on the former land of [[Neponsit Beach Hospital]], which was ceded back to Riis Park in 1959]]
[[Neponsit Beach Hospital]] was closed on April 21, 1955, due to a declining need for tuberculosis treatment.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955"/><ref>{{cite news|title=City Loses Appeal to Sell Land Around Old Neponsit Hospital|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/city-loses-appeal-to-sell-land-around-old-neponsit-hospital.html|access-date=October 9, 2015|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=July 10, 1956|page=33|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142618/http://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/city-loses-appeal-to-sell-land-around-old-neponsit-hospital.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the closure of the hospital, the site was considered a "hot property", located on the beach in the fairly exclusive Neponsit neighborhood.<ref name="Carol P. Kaplan 2003"/> The {{convert|14.3|acre||abbr=on}} site of the hospital was valued at $1 million.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955">{{cite news|last1=Freeman|first1=Ira Henry|title=2 Hospital Sites Sought for Parks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/05/27/archives/2-hospital-sites-sought-for-parks-moses-asks-estimate-board-for.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 27, 1955|page=25|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902184607/http://www.nytimes.com/1955/05/27/archives/2-hospital-sites-sought-for-parks-moses-asks-estimate-board-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Neponsit Hospital Property To Be Used For New Homes|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2520-%25200401.pdf |access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=July 28, 1955|page=1}}</ref> Numerous groups had conflicting interests in the future of the site,<ref name="Carol P. Kaplan 2003"/> with Parks Commissioner Moses wishing to absorb the site back into Riis Park in order to construct sports fields, a swimming pool, and a comfort station, and to extend the beach.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955"/><ref name="Rockawave-Neponsit-Fence-Jun1955">{{cite news|title=Neponsit Owners Fight Extension Of Riis Park: Object To Adding Neponsit Hospital Grounds To The Park Area; Say Extension Would Be Detrimental To Community And Nullify G-I Zone Effect|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2520-%25200293.pdf |access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 2, 1955|page=1}}</ref><ref name="Rockawave-HospStory-Last-May1956"/> Others including [[New York City Comptroller]] [[Lawrence E. Gerosa]] desired for the property to be sold and developed, which would draw income from both the sale and taxes.<ref name="Carol P. Kaplan 2003"/><ref name="Rockawave-HospStory-Last-May1956">{{cite news|title=The Hospital Story: Court Says "Return Land To the Department of Parks"; Board of Estimate And Gerosa Say "Hands Off"; Rockawayites Have Some Ideas Also!|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201956%2520-%25200293.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=May 31, 1956|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gerosa Doubts Tax Hike Need|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2520-%25207232.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2017|work=Long Island Star-Journal|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=October 25, 1955|page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Neponsit Hospital Property Sale Favored By Park Assn.|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201955%2520-%25200305.pdf |access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 9, 1955}}</ref> After the Board of Estimate including Gerosa voted 10 to 6 to block the park expansion,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Charles G.|title=MOSES PARK PLANN KILLED BY BOARD; Estimate Unit, Led by Gerosa, Bars Conversion of Old Neponsit Hospital Site MOSES PARK PLAN KILLED BY BOARD|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/07/22/archives/moses-park-plann-killed-by-board-estimate-unit-led-by-gerosa-bars.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 22, 1955|pages=25, 43|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190900/http://www.nytimes.com/1955/07/22/archives/moses-park-plann-killed-by-board-estimate-unit-led-by-gerosa-bars.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and angry exchanges between Moses and Gerosa,<ref name="Carol P. Kaplan 2003" /><ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Gerosa-Jul1955">{{cite news|title=GEROSA BELITTLES MOSES' SEA PARKS; In Letter 'Resenting' Talk of 'Subdivision Boys' He Credits Nature's Bounty DRIVE TO SAVE NEPONSIT Civic Group Opens It Today With Petitions to Estimate Body to Reconsider Vote|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/07/23/archives/gerosa-belittles-moses-sea-parks-in-letter-resenting-talk-of.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 23, 1955|page=19|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902185754/http://www.nytimes.com/1955/07/23/archives/gerosa-belittles-moses-sea-parks-in-letter-resenting-talk-of.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MOSES STEPS UP NEPONSIT ATTACK; He Charges 'Shenanigans' in City's Plan to Sell Site He Wants for Park WAGNER WILL TOUR AREA Commissioner Will Conduct Mayor on Trip Monday to Stress Need for Land|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/06/archives/moses-steps-up-neponsit-attack-he-charges-shenanigans-in-citys-plan.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 6, 1955|page=17|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190851/http://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/06/archives/moses-steps-up-neponsit-attack-he-charges-shenanigans-in-citys-plan.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Charles G.|title=MOSES, IN RETORT, BELABORS GEROSA; Accuses Controller of Plan 'to Sell Off City Parks to Balance the Budget' NOT SO, SAYS OPPONENT Wagner to Ask That Board Reconsider Its 10-6 Vote to Sell Neponsit Site|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/30/archives/moses-in-retort-belabors-gerosa-accuses-controller-of-plan-to-sell.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 30, 1955|page=29|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190818/http://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/30/archives/moses-in-retort-belabors-gerosa-accuses-controller-of-plan-to-sell.html|url-status=live}}</ref> on October 27, 1956, [[New York Supreme Court]] Justice Peter M. Daly ruled in favor of Moses in a lawsuit by the Park Association of New York City, preventing the sale. The ruling was upheld by the [[New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division|Appellate Court]] in Brooklyn on July 9, 1956. The ruling referred to the original 1906 act which zoned the property exclusively for park or hospital use.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Convert-Oct1956">{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Charles G.|title=CITY MAY CONVERT NEPONSIT FACILITY; Wagner and Stark Propose Abandoned Hospital Be Made Home for Aged PLAN WOULD END FEUD It Is Favored by Both Sides in the Court Fight Over Disposition of Site Park Development Planned|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/10/16/archives/city-may-convert-neponsit-facility-wagner-and-stark-propose.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 16, 1956|page=35|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902180646/http://www.nytimes.com/1956/10/16/archives/city-may-convert-neponsit-facility-wagner-and-stark-propose.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=City Loses Appeal to Sell Land Around Old Neponsit Hospital|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/city-loses-appeal-to-sell-land-around-old-neponsit-hospital.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 10, 1956|page=33|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142618/http://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/10/archives/city-loses-appeal-to-sell-land-around-old-neponsit-hospital.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1958, a compromise was reached in which the hospital would be converted into a nursing home called the Neponsit Home for the Aged. Meanwhile, the remaining {{convert|10|acre}} of the property were turned over to the Parks Department to expand Riis Park, adding {{convert|1000|ft|m}} of beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|164}}<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Convert-Oct1956"/><ref name="NYTimes-NeponsitAged-Aug1961">{{cite news|title=CITY IS SET TO OPEN NEW HOME FOR AGED|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/08/02/archives/city-is-set-to-open-new-home-for-aged.html|access-date=August 28, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 2, 1961|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725215600/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/08/02/archives/city-is-set-to-open-new-home-for-aged.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LIStar-NeponsitAged-Jun1958">{{cite news|title=City to Build Home for Aged|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201958%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201958%2520-%25203903.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2017|work=Long Island Star-Journal|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 3, 1958|page=2}}</ref> The plan was approved by [[New York City Board of Estimate]] in February 1959.<ref name="Rockawave-Neponsit-Feb1959">{{cite news|title=Neponsit Home For The Aged Gets Green Light By Board Of Estimate|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201959%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201959%2520-%25200079.pdf |access-date=August 29, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=February 19, 1959}}</ref> A field with two baseball diamonds was created adjacent to the west of the former hospital in 1961, with a comfort station and concession stand erected at the southwest corner of the field.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·20}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|205}}

===Decline and creation of Gateway National Recreation Area===
By the 1960s, Riis Park had fallen into a state of disrepair; debris "[blanketed] huge areas" of the beach, the toilet and bathhouse facilities were suffering from a lack of maintenance, and the underpass between the bathhouse and the parking lot frequently flooded after rainfall.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|165–168}} The park was damaged by the [[Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962|Ash Wednesday Storm]] in March 1962.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|200–201}} Riis Park also experienced an increase in crime: an 18-year-old was fatally stabbed at the beach in May 1962,<ref>{{cite news|title=Youth, 18, Fatally Stabbed, Friend Knifed at Riis Park|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/05/31/archives/youth-18-fatally-stabbed-friend-knifed-at-riis-park.html|access-date=September 5, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 31, 1962|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502141227/https://www.nytimes.com/1962/05/31/archives/youth-18-fatally-stabbed-friend-knifed-at-riis-park.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the bust of Jacob Riis at the Central Mall was stolen in June 1964.<ref name="NPS-RiisBust">{{cite web|title=Riis Bust|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/riis-bust-unveiling.htm|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 5, 2017|date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909062509/https://www.nps.gov/gate/riis-bust-unveiling.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to vandalism,<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|165–166}} there were increasing arrests for drug-related offenses on the beach.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-BetterImage-Sep1991">{{cite news|last1=Lorch|first1=Donatella|title=Giving Riis, the Forgotten Park, a Better Image|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/07/nyregion/giving-riis-the-forgotten-park-a-better-image.html?mcubz=0|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 7, 1991|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053455/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/07/nyregion/giving-riis-the-forgotten-park-a-better-image.html?mcubz=0|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:CHILDREN AT THE BEACH IN REIS PARK, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY THE INNER CITY TODAY IS AN ABSOLUTE CONTRADICTION TO THE... - NARA - 555923.tif|thumb|left|Beach-goers at Riis Park in 1974, after it was absorbed into the [[Gateway National Recreation Area]] ]] In 1972, the [[National Park Service]] established the [[Gateway National Recreation Area]] around [[Jamaica Bay]]. Jacob Riis Park was ceded to the NPS two years later, on March 4, 1974.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|208}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016" />{{rp|4}}<ref name="nyhparks" /><!--<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/index.htm|title=Gateway National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)|access-date=July 28, 2016}}</ref>--> Upon takeover, focus was put on Riis Park due to it being the most heavily visited part of the Gateway Area.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Gateway-Focus-Feb1974">{{cite news|last1=Bird|first1=David|title=Gateway Planners Focus on Riis Park; Vandallsm a Problem|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06EED8113EEE37A25750C0A9649C946590D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 3, 1974|page=77|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052243/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06EED8113EEE37A25750C0A9649C946590D6CF&legacy=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Under NPS' purview, several renovations occurred, including the installation of new roofing on the bathhouse and mall buildings, and the restoration of the Wise Clock which had been taken out of operation.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|208}} The NPS also began to crack down on nude bathing on the beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981" />{{rp|209}} In mid-July 1974, Federal Magistrate Vincent A. Catoggio suggested that the entire park be shuttered if "it is going to be a gathering place of nudists"<ref>{{cite news|title=Nudists in Riis Park Warned Of Closing by U.S. Magistrate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/16/archives/nudists-in-riis-park-warned-of-closing-by-us-magistrate.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 18, 1974}}</ref> and around the same time, [[United States Park Police]] started issuing summonses to nude bathers who ignored orders to put clothes on.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaufman|first1=Michael T.|title=It Was a Dayof Comfort, In the Nude or Clothed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/22/archives/it-was-a-day-of-comfort-in-the-nude-or-clothed-officer-questioned.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 22, 1974}}</ref> On July 24, 1974, a bill was introduced to the [[New York City Council]] to ban nude bathing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council Bill Would Bar Sunbathing in the Nude|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/25/archives/council-bill-would-bar-sunbathing-in-the-nude.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 25, 1974|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909054910/http://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/25/archives/council-bill-would-bar-sunbathing-in-the-nude.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In spite of this, NPS rangers and officers maintained a policy of allowing nude bathers to remain so long as they "minded their own business."<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /> Nudity in the park was ended by a state law in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| title = Nude Sunbathing at Riis Park Is Banned by New State Law| work = The New York Times| access-date = 2021-03-18| date = 1983-06-27| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html| url-access = subscription| archive-date = 2023-03-14| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230314213813/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html| url-status = live}}</ref>

On June 29, 1976, Riis Park was closed due to raw sewage in the water.<ref>{{cite news|title=Riis Park is Closed To Water Activities Because of Sewage|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/06/30/archives/riis-park-is-closed-to-water-activities-because-of-sewage.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 30, 1976}}</ref> It was closed again August 3, 1978 along with beaches in Brooklyn after an oil spill near Breezy Point.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kihss|first1=Peter|title=Oil From a Sunken Barge Closes Coney Island and Other Beaches|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/08/04/archives/oil-from-a-sunken-barge-closes-coney-island-and-other-beaches.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 4, 1978|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052246/http://www.nytimes.com/1978/08/04/archives/oil-from-a-sunken-barge-closes-coney-island-and-other-beaches.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The park reopened on August 7, 1978.<ref>{{cite news|title=Last 2 of 5 City Beaches That Were Closed by Oil Spill Are Reopened|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/08/08/archives/last-2-of-5-city-beaches-that-were-closed-by-oil-spill-are-reopened.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 8, 1978|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052818/http://www.nytimes.com/1978/08/08/archives/last-2-of-5-city-beaches-that-were-closed-by-oil-spill-are-reopened.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Riis Park continued to have sewage and wastewater treatment problems. On July 17, 1988, the beach was closed after [[Syringe Tide|eight syringes washed up onto the beach]]. Beaches at [[South Beach, Staten Island|South Beach]], [[Midland Beach, Staten Island|Midland Beach]], and [[Great Kills Park]] in Staten Island had previously been closed due to the same issue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/18/nyregion/medical-waste-shuts-jacob-riis-park-beach.html|title=Medical Waste Shuts Jacob Riis Park Beach|last1=Marriott|first1=Michel|date=July 18, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909054911/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/18/nyregion/medical-waste-shuts-jacob-riis-park-beach.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/19/nyregion/medical-waste-keeps-3-new-york-beaches-shut.html|title=MEDICAL WASTE KEEPS 3 NEW YORK BEACHES SHUT|last1=Barron|first1=James|date=July 19, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052932/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/19/nyregion/medical-waste-keeps-3-new-york-beaches-shut.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The beach was reopened on July 22.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/22/nyregion/new-york-officials-disagree-over-beach-debris.html|title=New York Officials Disagree Over Beach Debris|last1=Verhover|first1=Sam Howe|date=July 22, 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052512/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/22/nyregion/new-york-officials-disagree-over-beach-debris.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Much of the waste that had washed up on the beaches in the area had originated in [[Fresh Kills Landfill]] or the city sewer system.<ref name="NYTimes-BeachWaste-Sep1991" />

In the 1980s during summer months on weekends, the {{NYC bus link|B9}} and {{NYC bus link|B46}} bus routes were extended south of their normal terminus at [[Kings Plaza]] in Brooklyn to Riis Park, with a federal subsidy funding the extension.<ref name="NYTimes-B9-B46-RiisPk-1979">{{cite news|last1=Fower|first1=Glen|title=Riis Park Bus Service Is Extended|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/27/archives/riis-park-bus-service-is-extended-traffic-congestion-cited.html?_r=0|access-date=May 22, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 27, 1979|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052729/http://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/27/archives/riis-park-bus-service-is-extended-traffic-congestion-cited.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='6 Buses An Hour Tops' Greeley Proposal OKd|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201979%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201979%2520-%25200020.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff85eee4c5%26DocId%3D9305159%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D5%26hits%3D25f%2B260%2B261%2B264%2B265%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fNew%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false|access-date=January 19, 2016|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=July 7, 1979|page=5}}</ref><ref name="RiisPkBrochure-1985">{{cite web |title=Riis Park Brochure |url=http://npshistory.com/brochures/gate/riis-park.pdf |publisher=[[Gateway National Recreation Area]], [[New York City Transit Authority]] |access-date=25 August 2018 |date=1985 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817183747/http://npshistory.com/brochures/gate/riis-park.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The park's [[historic district]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1981.<ref name="nris" /> Nude bathing was banned at the beach in 1983,<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Nude-Jun1983" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-BetterImage-Sep1991" /> although it continued to persist unlawfully afterwards.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Fence-Jun2012" />

=== Proposed amphitheater and water park ===
In May 1988, the National Park Service planned to put the Riis Park bathhouse and mall buildings up for lease, along with other buildings in the Gateway Area. The developers would then pay for renovations and upgrades to the park and its facilities, which the NPS did not have the money to fund. The bathhouse in particular was in a state of disrepair, with its showering and changing facilities closed. The plan proposed constructing a 15,000-seat performance amphitheater, and a [[water park]]. Both attractions would be erected on the site of the golf course at the west end of the park. The amphitheater would occupy the northern half of the golf course site, facing south towards the beach. The water park would sit at the south end, and have a 7,500 person capacity.  The golf course would be relocated to the east end of the park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1988">{{cite web|title=Development Concept Plan, Environmental Assessment: Jacob Riis/Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area, New York-New Jersey|url=https://archive.org/details/develogateway00nati|website=[[Internet Archive]]|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=March 1988}}</ref>{{rp|34}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Project-Fears-May1988">{{cite news|last1=Fried|first1=Joseph P.|title=Environmental Fears Cast Pall Over Riis Park Project|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/17/nyregion/environmental-fears-cast-pall-over-riis-park-project.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 17, 1988|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053439/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/17/nyregion/environmental-fears-cast-pall-over-riis-park-project.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=deCourcy Hinds|first1=Michael|title=U.S. Offering Gateway Park Properties for Leasing|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/realestate/us-offering-gateway-park-properties-for-leasing.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 4, 1986|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909060524/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/realestate/us-offering-gateway-park-properties-for-leasing.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Features would also be added to the bathhouse, including a restaurant, skating rinks, a public garden, and/or a swimming pool.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989" />{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1988" />{{rp|34}}<ref name="NYTiems-Riis-Plan-Down-Jul1989" />

The plan was opposed by local residents and conservation groups, including the [[Sierra Club]]'s New York branch and the [[National Audubon Society]]. Among the points of contention were the idea of using federal parkland for amusement development, the additional noise and traffic created by the attractions, and the potential of disturbing the bird habitats in the area.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Project-Fears-May1988" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Money-Oct1989" /> The debate was reflective of issues with the country's national parks as a whole.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Project-Fears-May1988" /> [[Queens Community Board 14]] (representing the Rockaways) voted unanimously to block the plans.<ref name="NYTiems-Riis-Plan-Down-Jul1989" />

By July 1989, the amphitheater was removed from the development plan. The proposed water park was downsized from {{convert|10|acre|}} to {{convert|2|acre|}}, and would only occupy a small corner at the southwest section of the golf course.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989" />{{rp|PDF p.70}}<ref name="NYTiems-Riis-Plan-Down-Jul1989" /> The changes did not eliminate opposition from the community or environmental groups.<ref name="NYTiems-Riis-Plan-Down-Jul1989">{{cite news|last1=Fried|first1=Joseph P.|title=Plan to Restore a Park in Queens Is Scaled Down|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/04/nyregion/plan-to-restore-a-park-in-queens-is-scaled-down.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 4, 1989|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053126/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/04/nyregion/plan-to-restore-a-park-in-queens-is-scaled-down.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By October of that year, the development plans were dropped and instead $934,000 was allocated for renovations to the park.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Money-Oct1989">{{cite news|last1=Fried|first1=Joseph P.|title=Opponents of Queens Park Development Get Federal Money|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/09/nyregion/opponents-of-queens-park-development-get-federal-money.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 9, 1989|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909060536/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/09/nyregion/opponents-of-queens-park-development-get-federal-money.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1990s and early-21st-century renovation attempts===
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = Gateway National Recreation Area - Jacob Riis Park (8189875759).jpg
 | image2 = Riis Park parking trash mountain Sandy jeh.jpg
 | footer = Looking at the Riis Park parking lot in 2012, used as a temporary dump to store debris after [[Hurricane Sandy]]
}}
On August 31, 1991, the beach was closed again due to the presence of medical waste, with over 500 items found including needles and medicine vials of the painkiller [[Nubain]]. The beach was closed for a single day.<ref name="NYTimes-BeachWaste-Sep1991">{{cite news|last1=Lyall|first1=Sarah|title=Beach Medical Waste: Debris but No Panic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/11/nyregion/beach-medical-waste-debris-but-no-panic.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 11, 1991|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909060431/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/11/nyregion/beach-medical-waste-debris-but-no-panic.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Myers|first1=Steven Lee|title=RISS BEACH CLOSED BECAUSE OF WASTE|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/01/nyregion/riss-beach-closed-because-of-waste.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 1, 1991|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053411/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/01/nyregion/riss-beach-closed-because-of-waste.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Due in part to the reoccurrence of waste on the beach, the park saw declining patronage that year.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-BetterImage-Sep1991"/> During that year, a $20 million rehabilitation of the bathhouse began, which included the removal of asbestos. However, the project was not completed, and the bathhouse remained closed and continued to decay.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug2012" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-BetterImage-Sep1991"/><ref name="NYDaily-Riis-SorryState-Jul2006">{{cite news|last1=Hays|first1=Elizabeth|title=Riis shore is in sorry state. Park is crumbling from years of neglect by feds, beachgoers gripe|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/riis-shore-state-park-crumbling-years-neglect-feds-beachgoers-gripe-article-1.604616|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=July 9, 2006|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909095011/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/riis-shore-state-park-crumbling-years-neglect-feds-beachgoers-gripe-article-1.604616|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1999, the federal government earmarked $450,000 for the rehabilitation of Riis Park, which was projected to be complete within five years.<ref>{{cite news|title=450G WILL HELP REFURBISH RIIS PARK IN THE ROCKAWAYS|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/450g-refurbish-riis-park-rockaways-article-1.854698|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=November 30, 1999|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909100544/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/450g-refurbish-riis-park-rockaways-article-1.854698|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2001, then-Senators [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Chuck Schumer]] and then-Congressman [[Anthony Weiner]] had secured another $4 million in funds, most of which were targeted toward the renovation of the bathhouse.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Becker|first1=Maki|title=FEDS EYE 4M FOR RIIS FIXUP|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/feds-eye-4m-riis-fixup-article-1.933640|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=July 2, 2001|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052956/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/feds-eye-4m-riis-fixup-article-1.933640|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Woodberry|first1=Warren Jr.|title=GATEWAY TO GET $3.6M SPRUCE-UP Marina plans new showers, docks, pilings|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/gateway-3-6m-spruce-up-marina-plans-new-showers-docks-pilings-article-1.661599|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=March 17, 2003|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052744/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/gateway-3-6m-spruce-up-marina-plans-new-showers-docks-pilings-article-1.661599|url-status=live}}</ref> A press release from Senator Schumer alluded to the possible construction of a pool with the $4 million, possibly located in the bathhouse. On the other hand, the National Park Service planned to use the money for general renovations. However, the pool plan was canceled after a preliminary study, which determined that the operation of the pool would result in a negative [[profit margin]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woodberry|first1=Warren Jr.|title=FLOATING THEIR PLAN FOR A RIIS PARK POOL|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/floating-plan-riis-park-pool-article-1.497302|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=August 11, 2002|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052657/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/floating-plan-riis-park-pool-article-1.497302|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwach|first1=Howard|title=$4 Million Riis Pool: Maybe Yes, Maybe No|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2001-07-07/Front_Page/A-Riis_Pool0707.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=July 7, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052259/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2001-07-07/Front_Page/A-Riis_Pool0707.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwach|first1=Howard|title=Weiner: Riis Pool Would Drown In Red Ink|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2003-02-15/Front_Page/005.html|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=February 15, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052417/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2003-02-15/Front_Page/005.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Through 2005, numerous improvements were performed on the bathhouse, with plans to repave the central courtyard.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woodberry|first1=Warren Jr.|title=$4.2M FACE-LIFT FOR PARK Restoration & renovation at Jacob Riis|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/4-2m-face-lift-park-restoration-renovation-jacob-riis-article-1.525348|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=November 2, 2003|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052438/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/4-2m-face-lift-park-restoration-renovation-jacob-riis-article-1.525348|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Lepeska|first1=David|last2=Son|first2=Hugh|title=SPRAY'S A SIGHT FOR SHORE EYES. Beachgoers rip $22M Riis fixup|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/spray-sight-shore-eyes-beachgoers-rip-22m-riis-fixup-article-1.635206|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=August 28, 2005|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052534/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/spray-sight-shore-eyes-beachgoers-rip-22m-riis-fixup-article-1.635206|url-status=live}}</ref> By July 2006, however, the repairs had not been finished.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-SorryState-Jul2006" /> However, a new bust depicting Jacob Riis had been installed at the Central Mall that April.<ref name="NPS-RiisBust" /><ref name="NYDaily-RiisBust-Ap2010" /><ref name="NPS-RiisBust-Ap152010" />

In late October 2012, [[Hurricane Sandy]] struck the New York City area, particularly affecting the Rockaway Peninsula. At Riis Park, sand was pushed north from the beach onto the back beach areas. The bathhouse was flooded and damaged.<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016" />{{rp|4}}<ref name="NYDaily-Sandy-BirdsEye-Feb2013">{{cite news|last1=Colangelo|first1=Lisa L.|title=Bird's eye view of Sandy's fury|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/bird-eye-view-sandy-fury-article-1.1258060|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=February 8, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909094943/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/bird-eye-view-sandy-fury-article-1.1258060|url-status=live}}</ref> However, structures like the Wise Clock and the new Jacob Riis bust were generally unscathed.<ref name="Rockawave-RiisClock-StillStands-2013" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Colangelo|first1=Lisa L.|title=Jacob Riis monument still stands despite a wallop from Superstorm Sandy|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/jacob-riis-monument-withstands-wallop-sandy-article-1.1240669|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=January 16, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053029/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/jacob-riis-monument-withstands-wallop-sandy-article-1.1240669|url-status=live}}</ref> During the recovery effort, the large parking lot was used as a temporary dump for debris from the park and the entire peninsula. This included excess sand, trees, cars, boats, and household debris.<ref name="NYDaily-Sandy-BirdsEye-Feb2013" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Debris-Sand-Jan2013">{{cite news|last1=Foderaro|first1=Lisa W.|title=Before Rebuilding Beaches, Plucking Debris From Storm-Tossed Sand|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/nyregion/after-hurricane-sandy-cleaning-up-sand-and-returning-it-to-beaches.html?mcubz=0|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 10, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909060519/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/nyregion/after-hurricane-sandy-cleaning-up-sand-and-returning-it-to-beaches.html?mcubz=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sand Pyramids Rise At Riis Park|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2013-01-04/Community/Sand_Pyramids_Rise_At_Riis_Park.html|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052401/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2013-01-04/Community/Sand_Pyramids_Rise_At_Riis_Park.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The parking lot was selected as a waste facility due to its size, location on the peninsula, and connection to highways and roads.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Doherty|first1=John J.|title=From The Sanitation Commissioner: One Of DSNY's 'Strongest' Challenges|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/common/SandyEdition/From_The_Sanitation_Commissioner.html|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=October 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052618/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/common/SandyEdition/From_The_Sanitation_Commissioner.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Afterwards, the parking lot was used to clean sand before it returned to the beaches on the peninsula. Because of this the lot was filled with numerous man-made [[dune]]s.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Debris-Sand-Jan2013" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tumola|first1=Cristabelle|title=PHOTOS: Eerie sand dunes created in the Rockaways after Sandy|url=http://qns.com/story/2013/01/04/photos-eerie-sand-dunes-created-in-the-rockaways-after-sandy/|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=Queens Chronicle|date=January 4, 2013|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718155855/http://qns.com/story/2013/01/04/photos-eerie-sand-dunes-created-in-the-rockaways-after-sandy/|url-status=live}}</ref>  The park reopened in May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pesce|first1=Nicole Lyn|title=City's beaches to reopen after repairs from Hurricane Sandy|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sandy-hit-beaches-reopen-article-1.1352256|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=May 22, 2013|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909100543/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/sandy-hit-beaches-reopen-article-1.1352256|url-status=live}}</ref> Repairs to the bathhouse occurred from 2015 to 2016,<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016" />{{rp|8}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Work Under Way To Restore Historic Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/11/24/jacob-riis-park-bathhouse/|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=[[WCBS-TV]]|date=November 24, 2016|location=[[New York City]]|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053025/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/11/24/jacob-riis-park-bathhouse/|url-status=live}}</ref> after which the NPS solicited [[Request for proposal|requests for proposals]] to reuse the entry pavilion and bathhouse.<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016" />{{rp|7}}

=== Pipeline proposal ===
[[File:Jacob Riis Beach New York City 2013 Shankbone 2.JPG|thumb|left|People enjoying the beach over Labor Day weekend in August 2013]]On July 21, 2011, Staten Island Congressman [[Michael Grimm (politician)|Michael G. Grimm]] introduced H.R. 2606, the New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act, to the U.S. Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d112:1:./temp/~bd5uH1:@@@D&summ2=m&%7C/home/LegislativeData.php?n=BSS;c=112|title=HR 2606|work=CRS Summary of HR 2606|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=February 6, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> As proposed in the bill, a {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Pipeline transport#Oil and natural gas|natural gas pipeline]] called the Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project, proposed by [[Williams Companies]], would connect to an [[Transcontinental Pipeline|existing offshore pipeline]] and running south-to-north through the sites of Jacob Riis Park and Floyd Bennett Field. The pipeline would run through the golf course of Riis Park, then connect to a new {{convert|1.5|mi|km|adj=on}} along Flatbush Avenue to be constructed by [[National Grid plc|National Grid]].<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid1-Feb2012">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rep-michael-grimm-campaign-contributions-draw-criticism-article-1.1019196|title=Rep. Michael Grimm's campaign contributions from backers of proposed gas pipeline thru Riis Park draw criticism|last1=Lesser|first1=Benjamin|date=February 9, 2012|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|last2=Gendar|first2=Alison|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909095036/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rep-michael-grimm-campaign-contributions-draw-criticism-article-1.1019196|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid2-Jun2012">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/plan-extend-natural-gas-pipeline-rockaways-chilly-reception-article-1.1094414|title=Plan to extend natural gas pipeline through Rockaways gets chilly reception|last1=Trapasso|first1=Claire|date=June 13, 2012|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=September 6, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052900/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/plan-extend-natural-gas-pipeline-rockaways-chilly-reception-article-1.1094414|url-status=live}}</ref> The project was supported by the district manager of Queens Community Board 14.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid2-Jun2012" /> Two Queens congressmen also supported the pipeline, as did Anthony Weiner before his resignation.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid1-Feb2012" /> The pipeline was opposed by local environmental groups, who felt it would disturb a nearby artificial reef.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid2-Jun2012" /> Grimm was subsequently found to have received campaign money from both Williams and National Grid.<ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Grid1-Feb2012" />

Shortly after Hurricane Sandy, on November 7, 2012, the Rockaway Lateral Pipeline bill was signed into law.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chan|first1=Melissa|title=Obama signs bill for gas pipeline under the Rockaways|url=http://qns.com/story/2012/12/04/obama-signs-bill-for-gas-pipeline-under-the-rockaways/|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=Queens Courier|date=December 4, 2012|archive-date=July 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718152519/http://qns.com/story/2012/12/04/obama-signs-bill-for-gas-pipeline-under-the-rockaways/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Riis Park Pipeline Approved By Obama|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2012-11-30/Top_Stories/Riis_Park_Pipeline_Approved_By_Obama.html|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=November 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909094953/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2012-11-30/Top_Stories/Riis_Park_Pipeline_Approved_By_Obama.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The pipeline was put in service by May 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Williams Rockaway Delivery Lateral and Northeast Connector Pipeline Projects Complete, Now Flowing Natural Gas to New York City|url=http://investor.williams.com/press-release/williams/williams-rockaway-delivery-lateral-and-northeast-connector-pipeline-projects-|access-date=September 8, 2017|work=[[Williams Companies]]|date=May 15, 2015|location=[[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909054749/http://investor.williams.com/press-release/williams/williams-rockaway-delivery-lateral-and-northeast-connector-pipeline-projects-|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Demolition of Neponsit Hospital ===
In both its time as a functioning hospital and after its abandonment, the Neponsit Hospital’s buildings were recognized by researchers and beachgoers alike as having sheltered LGBTQ gathering at Bay 1.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colyar |first=Brock |last2=Nguyen |first2=Andrew |date=2021-08-18 |title=As Seen on Riis Beach Dancing, smoking, and playing all summer long at New York’s queerest seashore. |work=The Cut |url=https://www.thecut.com/2021/08/riis-beach-nyc.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819163612/https://www.thecut.com/2021/08/riis-beach-nyc.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Canavan |first=Peter |title=The Apple Sliced: Sociological Studies of New York City |last2=Bogg |first2=Vernon |last3=Handel |first3=Gerald |last4=Fleis Fava |first4=Sylvia |publisher=Praeger Publishers |year=1984 |isbn=978-0030632136 |chapter=The Gay Community at Jacob Riis Park}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-13 |title=LGBTQ beach sanctum faces demolition in New York |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/lgbtq-beach-sanctum-faces-demolition-new-york-rcna51847 |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213035849/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/lgbtq-beach-sanctum-faces-demolition-new-york-rcna51847 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2018, [[Ms. Colombia]], Jackson Heights-based performance artist, died at Bay 1.<ref name="Yakas 2018">{{Cite web |last=Yakas |first=Ben |last2= |first2= |last3= |date=2018-10-04 |title=Ms Colombia, Beloved NYC LGBTQ Icon, Found Dead At Jacob Riis Beach |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ms-colombia-beloved-nyc-lgbtq-icon-found-dead-at-jacob-riis-beach |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Gothamist |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808110835/https://gothamist.com/news/ms-colombia-beloved-nyc-lgbtq-icon-found-dead-at-jacob-riis-beach |url-status=live }}</ref> Her family and friends built a memorial to honor her life and her love of Riis.<ref name="Iezzi 2022">{{Cite news |last=Iezzi |first=Annie |date=2022-08-29 |title=Queer Riis Beachgoers Celebrate Community as Demolition of Nearby Hospital Looms |work=The City |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/8/29/23328007/queer-riis-beachgoers-celebrate-lgbtq-community-as-demolition-of-nearby-hospital-looms |access-date=2023-09-02 |archive-date=2023-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625175732/https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/8/29/23328007/queer-riis-beachgoers-celebrate-lgbtq-community-as-demolition-of-nearby-hospital-looms |url-status=live }}</ref> The memorial is located on a chainlink fence around the former Neponsit Hospital site. An annual Ms. Colombia Memorial Beach Walk is hosted along the beach each August.<ref name="Iezzi 2022" />

In April 2022, the New York City government announced plans to demolish the remains of the Neponsit Beach Hospital.<ref name="The City 2022">{{cite web |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Demolition of Long-Abandoned Medical Center Could Leave Queer Beachgoers Exposed |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/5/8/23061638/demolition-abandoned-medical-queer-beach |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=The City |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026211546/https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/5/8/23061638/demolition-abandoned-medical-queer-beach |url-status=live }}</ref> In its abandonment, the former Neponsit Hospital buildings became the site of LGBT-affirming public art.<ref name=nyt-2022-09-18/> The former Neponsit Hospital building was demolished in early 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenlock |first=Brienne |last2= |date=2023-03-24 |title=Saving The People’s Beach - The Wave |url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/saving-the-peoples-beach/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=The Wave - Rockaway's Newspaper since 1893 |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819163614/https://www.rockawave.com/articles/saving-the-peoples-beach/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== LGBTQ history ===
The easternmost end of the park’s beach, Bays 1 and 2, has been a site of LGBTQ gathering since at least the 1940s.<ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org">{{Cite web |title=Riis Park Beach – NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project |url=https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/beach-at-jacob-riis-park/#:~:text=overview,beach%20in%20New%20York%20City. |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=www.nyclgbtsites.org |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185619/https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/beach-at-jacob-riis-park/#:~:text=overview,beach%20in%20New%20York%20City. |url-status=live }}</ref> While it was a “well-known destination for mostly white gay men to sunbathe and cruise" in the 1940s, lesbian women also began to gather nearby by the 1950s.<ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org" /> In the 1960s, the beach became clothing optional and many people referred to it as “Screech Beach” in reference to its gay beachgoers.<ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org" /> The beach remained clothing optional until July 3, 1983, when a state law banning bottomlessness went into effect.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1983-06-27 |title=NUDE SUNBATHING AT RIIS PARK IS BANNED BY NEW STATE LAW (Published 1983) |language=en |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314213813/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the allowance for nudity, police were known to arrest people they deemed as men for wearing “too minimal” suits on the boardwalk.<ref>Canavan, P. (1984). The Gay Community at Jacob Riis Park. In The Apple Sliced: Sociological Studies of New York City. Praeger Publishers</ref><ref>Joan Nestle, “Lesbian Memories I: Riis Park, 1960,” in ''A Restricted Country'', p. 37.</ref><ref>Canavan, P. (1984). The Gay Community at Jacob Riis Park. In The Apple Sliced: Sociological Studies of New York City. Praeger Publishers.</ref><ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org" />

1974 National Park Service (NPS)-sponsored fieldwork describes Bays 1 and 2’s population as predominantly white with a notable contingent of Black and Latinx beachgoers– with many Black gay beachgoers moving between Bays 1 and 2 and the boardwalk behind Bay 5, known as a site of historically Black gathering–while NPS fieldwork from 2000 reports a demographic shift to “a predominance of blacks and Hispanics” at Bay 1.<ref>Kornblum, W., & Williams, T. (1975). Segregation and use at Riis Park (File: Gateway; D-134; C.U.N.Y. Cooperative Park Studies Unit) [Research Paper]. National Park Service; National Park Service Library</ref>

The beach continues to be of particular significance to queer and trans people of color. Pride in the City, a New York City Black pride event, was held at a softball field adjacent to Bay 2 in 2006, drawing a crowd of thousands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Osborne |first=Duncan |date=2006-08-16 |title=Riis Pride in the City Bash Okayed |work=Gay City News |url=https://gaycitynews.com/riis-pride-in-the-city-bash-okayed/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185629/https://gaycitynews.com/riis-pride-in-the-city-bash-okayed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> G.L.I.T.S., an organization dedicated to providing healthcare and housing to Black transgender people, organized Riis Pride at the beach in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeager |first=Nicky |date=2022-10-07 |title=The People’s Beach’ is a Queer Landmark That Deserves to Live On |work=The Indypendent |url=https://indypendent.org/2022/10/the-peoples-beach-is-a-queer-landmark-that-deserves-to-live-on/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185623/https://indypendent.org/2022/10/the-peoples-beach-is-a-queer-landmark-that-deserves-to-live-on/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Riis as an LGBTQ gathering space has been mentioned in several works of literature including [[Audre Lorde]]’s [[Zami: A New Spelling of My Name|''Zami'']], [[Torrey Peters]]’ ''[[Detransition, Baby]]'', and Sabrina Imbler’s ''How Far the Light Reaches''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Vanessa Pamela |date=2023-06-13 |title=Riis—The People’s Beach—Is Under Threat. 7 Queer People on Why That Matters |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/riis-under-threat-7-people-on-why-that-matters |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185619/https://www.vogue.com/article/riis-under-threat-7-people-on-why-that-matters |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McConnell |first=Tatum |date=2023-01-07 |title=A Search for "How Far the Light Reaches" {{!}} Sierra Club |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/4-november-december/books/search-how-far-light-reaches-sabrina-imbler |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=www.sierraclub.org |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185618/https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/4-november-december/books/search-how-far-light-reaches-sabrina-imbler |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Lorde 2005">{{Cite book |last=Lorde |first=Audre |title=Zami: a new spelling of my name |date=2005 |publisher=Crossing Press |isbn=978-0-89594-122-0 |edition=Nachdr. |location=Berkeley, Calif.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Peters |first=Torrey |title=Detransition, baby |date=2021 |publisher=One World |isbn=978-0-593-13337-8 |location=New York}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Imbler |first=Sabrina |title=How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures |year=2022 |isbn=9780316540537}}</ref>

Notable LGBTQ beachgoers include:
* [[Harvey Milk]], LGBTQ activist and icon, who met his partner of six years, Joe Campbell, at the beach in 1956<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harvey Milk & Joe Campbell Residence – NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project |url=https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/harvey-milk-joe-campbell-residence/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=www.nyclgbtsites.org |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185621/https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/harvey-milk-joe-campbell-residence/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>The James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center San Francisco Public Library. HARVEY MILK LETTERS to JOE CAMPBELL 1961-[1971]. Retrieved 19 August 2023 from https://sfpl.org/pdf/main/glc/GLC20_Milk-Campbell_Letters.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185618/https://sfpl.org/pdf/main/glc/GLC20_Milk-Campbell_Letters.pdf |date=2023-08-19 }}</ref>
* [[Audre Lorde]], writer and activist, who wrote about going to the gay beach at Riis on summer Saturdays in the mid-1950s in her biomythography, [[Zami: A New Spelling of My Name|Zami]].<ref name="Lorde 2005" /> A photo of her and her children there in the 1960s was featured in the exhibition, "Powerful and Dangerous: The Images and Words of Audre Lorde,” at [[Alice Austen House]] in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-07 |title=Powerful and Dangerous |url=https://aliceausten.org/powerful-and-dangerous/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=The Alice Austen House Museum |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185620/https://aliceausten.org/powerful-and-dangerous/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Ernestine Eckstein]], activist and leader of the New York chapter of the [[Daughters of Bilitis]]<ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org" />
* [[Joan Nestle]], writer and founder of the [[Lesbian Herstory Archives]], writes that going to Riis Park in the 1960s was her “deepest joy.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don't Stop Talking 2 |url=http://joannestle2.blogspot.com/2013/02/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=joannestle2.blogspot.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185618/http://joannestle2.blogspot.com/2013/02/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Craig Rodwell]], activist, who wrote of being arrested at Riis for a too-short bathing suit<ref name="www.nyclgbtsites.org" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waters |first=Michael |date=2022-10-26 |title=The Uncertain Future of the Queer Beach |url=https://thebaffler.com/latest/the-uncertain-future-of-the-queer-beach-waters |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=The Baffler |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819185618/https://thebaffler.com/latest/the-uncertain-future-of-the-queer-beach-waters |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Ms. Colombia]], performer and LGBTQ icon, who also died at Bay 1.<ref name="Yakas 2018" />
{{-}}

==Description==
<!--{{multiple image
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| image1    = NPS jacob-riis-park-fishing-map.jpg
| caption1  = A map of Jacob Riis Park
| image2    = Marine4 (7448170488).jpg
| caption2  = An aerial view of Riis Park and the [[Marine Parkway Bridge]] (background) in 1956.
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[[File:NPS jacob-riis-park-fishing-map.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A map of Jacob Riis Park]]
Jacob Riis Park is located at the west end of the Rockaway Peninsula, between [[Fort Tilden]] and the [[Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge]] to the west, and the [[Neponsit, Queens|Neponsit]] neighborhood to the east. The [[Roxbury, Queens|Roxbury]] and [[Breezy Point, Queens|Breezy Point]] neighborhoods sit farther west. The [[Atlantic Ocean]] coast marks the south end of the site, where the park's beaches are located. The north end is bound by [[Beach Channel Drive]] and the [[Jamaica Bay]] shore.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·3}}<ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006"/><ref name="NYCPk-RkwyPkConceptual-2014">{{cite web|title=Rockaway Parks Conceptual Plan|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/71/Conceptual-Plan-Final-Report.pdf|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]], [[New York City Economic Development Corporation]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=2014|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204055925/https://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/71/Conceptual-Plan-Final-Report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|12}} The park is approximately {{convert|262|acre}} in size, extending {{convert|1|mi|km}} east-to-west between Beach 149th Street in Neponsit and Beach 169th Street at Fort Tilden.<ref name="Society1922" /><ref name="Poor1910">{{cite book|author=New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor|title=Annual Report of the New-York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UBs8AQAAMAAJ|access-date=August 29, 2017|year=1910}}</ref><ref name="NYCPk-BeachHistory">{{cite web|title=History of City–Owned Beaches|url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/beaches/city-owned-beaches|publisher=[[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052514/https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/beaches/city-owned-beaches|url-status=live}}</ref>

The major east-to-west thoroughfares running across the park are Beach Channel Drive and [[Rockaway Beach Boulevard]], the latter of which runs near the south end of the park at the north end of the beach. Beach Channel Drive feeds west into the Marine Parkway Bridge, and into Rockaway Point Boulevard which runs to Roxbury and Breezy Point. Both roads run east towards the rest of the Rockaways. A [[roundabout]] at the east end of the park provides an interchange between the two roads. The road layout was designed in the 1930s.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955" /><ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006">{{cite web|title=U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service And U.S. Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division; Gateway National Recreation Area Jamaica Bay Unit New York City, New York; Jamaica Bay Transportation Studies Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect|url=https://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectID=11429&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=Pages%20from%20TOC%20and%20Chapter%201.pdf&sfid=23830|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=May 5, 2006|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052256/https://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectID=11429&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=Pages%20from%20TOC%20and%20Chapter%201.pdf&sfid=23830|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gateway-Greenway">{{cite web|title=Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay Unit Jamaica Bay Greenway Missing Links Study|url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/13820/dot_13820_DS1.pdf|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]], [[United States Department of Transportation]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=2010|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052409/https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/13820/dot_13820_DS1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three buildings constructed in the 1930s are the primary features of the Riis Park Historical District. These are the bathhouse and the two Central Mall buildings.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981">{{cite web|title=National Register of Historic Inventory - Nomination Form For Federal Properties: Jacob Riis Park Historic District (Gateway NRA)|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/11ef6c1e-756e-4814-87e6-9082f66cb9c8|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=June 17, 1981|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052040/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/11ef6c1e-756e-4814-87e6-9082f66cb9c8|url-status=live}}</ref> Many elements of the park, including the mall buildings, boardwalk, and renovations to the bathhouse, were completed during the 1936-1937 renovation of the park with Works Progress Administration funds, under the watch of [[Robert Moses]], [[Gilmore D. Clarke]], and [[Aymar Embury II]].<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13 to 2·15}}

===Features===

==== Bathhouse ====
{{multiple image
| align     = left
| direction = vertical
| image1    = North elevation - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-51.tif
| caption1  =
| image2    = Elevation view of the south front (beach) center section, with scale (similar to HABS No. NY-6374-29) - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-77 (CT).tif
| caption2  =
| width     =  250
| footer    = The front or north structure of the bathhouse (top), called the entrance pavilion, and rear structure of the bathhouse (bottom), known as the "beach pavilion", in 1990
| footer_align      = left
}}
Located on the south side of Rockaway Beach Boulevard near the horizontal center of the park is the bathhouse, which has historically served as the entrance to the beach. It was first completed in 1932, designed by John L. Plock of the Stoughton and Plonck firm in [[Moorish architecture|Moorish]]/[[Byzantine architecture|Byzantine]] style. The 1936-1937 WPA project led to a reconfiguration of the bathhouse, designed by Clinton Loyd, which added [[Art Deco]]/[[Art Moderne]] elements.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13, 2·21}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986">{{cite web|last1=Marsh|first1=John B.|last2=Small|first2=Sally|title=Historic Structure Report: Architectural Data Section: Jacob Riis Bathhouse Exterior, Jacob Riis Park Historic District, Gateway National Recreation Area|url=https://archive.org/details/historicstructur00mars|website=[[Internet Archive]]|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 4, 2017|date=February 1986}}</ref><ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016">{{cite web|title=Request for Proposals Jacob Riis Park|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/getinvolved/upload/Riis_11_9_2016b.pdf|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=2016|archive-date=February 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205131943/https://www.nps.gov/gate/getinvolved/upload/Riis_11_9_2016b.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|8}} The alteration in architectural style is said to have been brought on by Robert Moses being "annoyed" by the bathhouse's original Moorish elements.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·13}} The bathhouse measures approximately {{convert|640|ft|m}} long and {{convert|250|ft|m}} wide.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{Rp|PDF p.112–123}}<ref name="BklynEAgle-Riis-Bath-Open-Aug1932"/> It was modeled after the [[Jones Beach State Park|Jones Beach]] bathhouse, and is similar in design to other bathing pavilions of the early 20th century.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug1932"/><ref name="BklynEagle-RiisBath-Aug1930">{{cite news|title=Bathing Pavilion Proposed for Jacob Riis Park in Rockaways|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/58063329/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 24, 1930|page=22|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802024632/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/58063329/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the largest building in the park.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/>

The bathhouse actually consists of four individual structures making up each face of the building, linked by common outer screen walls, with a central courtyard in between.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|3·6}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|8}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug2012">{{cite news|last1=Foderaro|first1=Lisa W.|title=A Promise Unfulfilled at an Art Deco Bathhouse in the Rockaways|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/nyregion/jacob-riis-bathhouse-envisioned-as-park-centerpiece-looks-abandoned.html?mcubz=0|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 21, 2012|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053135/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/22/nyregion/jacob-riis-bathhouse-envisioned-as-park-centerpiece-looks-abandoned.html?mcubz=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The screen walls are brick and rise {{convert|8|ft|m}} high.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The buildings share a common outer facade in terms of materials, consisting of brick laid in [[american bond]], [[cast stone]], and concrete.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> After the 1937 renovations, the entire structure was painted in light gray.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/>

At the front or north face of the site on Rockaway Beach Boulevard is the Entry Pavilion. The one-story structure was built in 1932 as part of the original bathhouse, and retains its Moorish and Byzantine features. Loosely T-shaped, it occupies {{convert|10,000|ft2|m2}} of space.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|8}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The front face of the building features two small towers or [[Turret (architecture)|turret]]s near each end, with an octagonal shape. In between the towers is an [[arcade (architecture)|arcade]], with five brick archways supported by concrete [[Corinthian pillar|Corinthian]] columns. The columns are hexagonal in shape with [[arabesque]] features. An additional archway is located at both the east and west ends of the arcade.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> Six [[hip roof|hipped]] skylights are located on the roof of the pavilion.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/>

At the rear of the bathhouse, facing the beach, is the "bathing pavilion"<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /> or "beach pavilion",<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·22}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> often simply called the "bathhouse".<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|8}} It is two stories high and rectangular in shape, made up of two brick side sections and a concrete center section. Although built as a part of the 1932 bathhouse, the building underwent extensive renovations during the 1936-1937 projects, leading to its current Art Deco characteristics.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{Rp|94–95}} Unlike the entrance pavilion which is relatively small, the beach pavilion extends the entire east-west length of the building.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /> An arcade or [[colonnade]] is located on the ground floor of the center section, largely concrete with columns.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The original design of the beach pavilion was similar to that of the entrance building, with numerous Moorish arches forming its arcade.<ref name="BklynEagle-RiisBath-Aug1930" /> On the second floor on top of the arcade is a concrete projection with rounded edges, enclosed by [[glass brick]] windows.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/>  These windows are not original to the structure.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The projection originally contained a cafeteria or restaurant and its kitchen.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{Rp|96}}<ref name="Rockawave-Riis-Pavilion-Aug1932"/> It also doubled as a [[Sunroom|solarium]], and is often referred to as such.<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Solarium-Jan1933">{{cite news|title=Big Riis Park Solarium to Start in Spring|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59876692/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22%2B%22solarium%22|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 29, 1933|page=48|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802021951/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59876692/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22%2B%22solarium%22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rockawave-Riis-Solarium-Sep1932">{{cite news|title=Solarium to be Erected: Work on New Feature at Riis Park Starts This Fall|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201931-1932%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201931-1932%2520-%25203148.pdf|access-date=September 7, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=September 22, 1932|archive-date=September 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213823/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201931-1932/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201931-1932%20-%203148.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A terrace surrounds the projection.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{Rp|96}} The center section's roof is flat, used as an additional terrace, while the side sections have hipped roofs.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The beach pavilion contains two octagonal towers which rise four stories high with copper roofs. Several windows are located on the towers.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> External stairs on either side originally led from the beach to the terrace on the second floor, with additional staircases to the roof of the structure; the outdoor stairs from the ground have since been removed.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{Rp|94–95}}

[[File:Interior gallery, north side; view looking from the west - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-55.tif|thumb|Inside the front arcade of the bathhouse, with its Moorish arches]]

At the east and west ends of the bathhouse are the east and west wing buildings. The wings are identical one-story rectangular buildings.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> They were built with the original bathhouse, with the east wing renovated in 1936.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> The wings each feature a [[hipped roof]] of asphalt tiles.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> Both wings originally contained public bathrooms, with east wing containing a police sub-station for the [[United States Park Police]], and the west wing housing first aid stations.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}} Much of this space has since been converted into visitor facilities,<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> with bathrooms still present in the east wing.<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}}

At the core of the bathhouse between the four buildings is the central courtyard.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}} Now open space,<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}} the courtyard was initially used for dressing rooms, built with numerous [[Cabana (structure)|cabana]]-shaped lockers, along with shower facilities.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|3·6}} The western courtyard was for women, while the eastern court was for men.<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/> There were 500 changing rooms, containing 8,100 individual lockers. Of these, 5,400 lockers were located in the men's section, while the women's quarters held 2,700.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|3·6}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug1932"/> The capacity was later increased to 10,000 during the 1936-1937 expansion, with 6,000 men's lockers and 4,000 women's lockers.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-JonesModel-Jun1937">{{cite news|title=The City Opens Two New Bathing Areas on the Jones Beach Model|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/20/archives/the-city-opens-two-new-bathing-areas-on-the-jones-beach-model.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 20, 1937|archive-date=February 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226110440/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/20/archives/the-city-opens-two-new-bathing-areas-on-the-jones-beach-model.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The changing rooms were constructed of [[asbestos]] board, while the showers were tile with stone trim.<ref name="Rockawave-Riis-Pavilion-Aug1932">{{cite news|title=New Pavilion Dedicated Saturday; Absence Of Walker Disappointing|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201926%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201926%2520-%25205535.pdf|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=August 11, 1932|archive-date=September 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213815/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201926/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201926%20-%205535.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The changing rooms were closed and removed by 1988 due to a lack of maintenance and sanitary concerns.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Project-Fears-May1988"/> Entrance to the changing rooms was via doors at the sides of the front and rear arcades.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|96}}
<!--*{{convert|30,000|ft2|m2}} of space<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}}-->

Among the other original features of the bathhouse were two restaurants, a cafeteria, concession stands, and the solarium on the roof.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|3·3}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBathhouse-1986"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|96}} These were later replaced by a ranger station, the park police station, and the first-aid station.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}} An eastern portion of the beach pavilion is currently used to house lifeguards from the [[National Park Service]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-RFP-2016"/>{{rp|9}} The bathhouse has received damage from numerous storms, including [[Hurricane Irene]] and [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|PDF p.64}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug2012"/> Although a $20 million restoration of the bathhouse was started in the 1990s, the renovation project was only partially completed.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Bathhouse-Aug2012"/>

====Central Mall====
{{multiple image
| align     = left
| direction = horizontal
| image1    = General view of the west building crescent - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-20.tif
| caption1  =
| image2    = General view of east building crescent from the east, with scale - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-15.tif
| caption2  =
| width     =  250
| footer    = The western (left) and eastern mall buildings at the end of the central mall
| footer_align      = left
}}

Near the foot of the Marine Parkway Bridge between the parking lot and golf course (see {{section link||Additional features}}) is the park's central mall, a landscaped concourse which runs north-to-south between Beach Channel Drive and the main beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|5·3}} The mall was laid out to be aligned with the [[Empire State Building]], providing a distant view of the Manhattan skyscraper.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|5·3}}<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/> At the south end of the mall is a concrete plaza with two structures known as the Central Mall Buildings or the Bay 9 Mall Buildings. The buildings were erected during the 1936-1937 park projects, designed in Art Deco/Art Moderne style. The outer facade consists of brick and tile with concrete trim and roofing. The two buildings are mirror images of each other, standing one-story high. They are semi-circle shaped, opening towards the main beach; the two buildings together form a [[horseshoe]]. Each structure occupies {{convert|6,000|ft2|m2}} of space. The western building contains offices and public toilets, along with a small bathhouse. The eastern structure is used as a concession stand, with retail space at its eastern end, and a patio area in front of it.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|5·3}}<ref name="Gateway-Bay9Mall-RFP-2014">{{cite web|title=Gateway National Recreation Area Bay 9/ East Mall Building 2014 Request for Proposals|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/management/upload/Bay-9-RFP-2014_for-web.pdf|publisher=[[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=2014|archive-date=February 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217134510/https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/management/upload/Bay-9-RFP-2014_for-web.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LIDaily-Riis-LockerRooms-Nov1936">{{cite news|title=Locker Rooms at Riis Park Made Larger: Facilities at Queens Beach|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201936%2FJamaica%2520NY%2520Long%2520Island%2520Daily%2520Press%25201936%2520-%25206882.pdf|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=Long Island Daily Press|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=November 13, 1936|page=23|archive-date=September 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213921/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201936/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201936%20-%206882.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Like the bathhouse, the mall buildings were painted gray upon opening in 1937.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}} A [[bandstand]] was originally located in between the two buildings in the center of the plaza, but was removed in 1954.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|5·3}}

A bronze bust of Jacob Riis had been installed adjacent to the western mall building in 1940, donated by Riis' son Roger. The bust rested on a granite pedestal constructed by the Parks Department with money from the [[Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority]], the highway agency also controlled by Robert Moses.  After it was stolen in 1964, only its granite base remained.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·20}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|166}}<ref name="NPS-RiisBust"/> A replacement bronze bust was constructed by artist David Ostro, organized by students at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in [[Jamaica Estates, Queens|Jamaica Estates]]. The new bust was installed on April 17, 2010.<ref name="NPS-RiisBust"/><ref name="NYDaily-RiisBust-Ap2010">{{cite news|last1=Remizowski|first1=Leigh|title=Students hired artist David Ostro to recreate lost Jacob Riis bust for Far Rockaway park|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/students-hired-artist-david-ostro-recreate-lost-jacob-riis-bust-rockaway-park-article-1.167184|access-date=September 5, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=April 11, 2010|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052340/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/students-hired-artist-david-ostro-recreate-lost-jacob-riis-bust-rockaway-park-article-1.167184|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NPS-RiisBust-Ap152010">{{cite news|title=He's Back! Jacob Riis Returns|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-bust-dedication-pr.htm|access-date=September 5, 2017|work=[[National Park Service]]|date=April 15, 2010|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909055112/https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-bust-dedication-pr.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Boardwalk====
[[File:View of the Riis clock (duplicate of HABS No. NY-6374-7) - Jacob Riis Park, Rockaway Point, Queens County, NY HABS NY-6374-76 (CT).tif|thumb|right|upright|The Wise and Son clock on the Riis Park boardwalk]]
Running along the north end of the entire beach is the boardwalk, also sometimes called the promenade. The majority of the boardwalk was built during the 1936-1937 park projects, with the portion in front of the bathhouse built in 1932. The boardwalk separates the beach from the "back beach" portions of the park, such as the bathhouse, central mall, and non-beach recreation areas (see {{section link||Central Mall}} and {{section link||Additional features}}). It is the primary means of pedestrian circulation through the park.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·6 to 4·7}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}} The boardwalk is {{convert|40|ft|m}} wide, except at the bathhouse where it is {{convert|70|ft|m|}} wide.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·7}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937"/> It was originally wood, but was upgraded to concrete in 1970.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·3, 4·7}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|205}}

The boardwalk is built on top of the beach's concrete [[seawall]] or [[Bulkhead (barrier)|bulkhead]], which stabilizes the sand and protects the back beach from flooding.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·6}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|8 (PDF p.14)}} The original seawall was constructed in 1931 and ran parallel to the south face of the bathhouse. Portions of the old sea wall remain on the beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·3, 7·3}}

Located on the boardwalk at the east end of the main beach is a [[street clock]], known as the Wise Clock or Riis Park Memorial Clock. It was donated by [[Downtown Brooklyn]] jewelry dealer William A. Wise and Son, after the store moved to a new location.<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·11 to 4·12}}<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Clock-Mar1941"/> The clock was built by the [[Howard Watch Company]] in 1891 and moved to the park on March 4, 1941.<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Clock-Mar1941">{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52609315/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22%2B%22clock%22|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|agency=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 4, 1941|page=3|title=Famed Sidewalk Clock Is Moved to Riis Park|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802014057/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52609315/?terms=%22riis%2Bpark%22%2B%22clock%22|url-status=live}}</ref> The clock has four faces, and originally operated on a single mechanism.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|4·11 to 4·12}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|175–176}}<ref name="BklynEagle-Riis-Clock-Mar1941"/> Renovations in the 1970s added four individual mechanisms.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|208}}

====Parking lot====
[[File:Marine4 (7448170488).jpg|thumb|right|An aerial view of Riis Park and the [[Marine Parkway Bridge]] (background) in 1956]]
Located on the north side of Rockaway Beach Boulevard extending to Beach Channel Drive is the park's parking lot, which is variously given as being {{convert|62|acre|}} or {{convert|72|acre}} in size. The parking lot is the largest individual feature in the park and occupies much of the park site north of the beach. The only entry point to the lot is at its south end in front of the bathhouse, where four toll booths are present.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|10 (PDF p.16)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·25}}<ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006"/><ref name="LIDaily-Riis-LockerRooms-Nov1936"/> It was built with a capacity of either 9,000<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|10 (PDF p.16)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·21}}<ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006"/><ref name="Caro 1974"/>{{rp|508}} or 14,000<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937"/> automobiles. At the time of its construction, it was the largest paved parking lot in the world.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15}}<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Orchard-Open-Jun1937"/> A grade-level crosswalk to the west of the toll booths, and a pedestrian underpass to the east, lead across the street to the bathhouse.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·25}}<ref name="LIDaily-Riis-LockerRooms-Nov1936"/> The lot is entirely circumscribed by the access roads to the park, with the roundabout located at its southeast corner, and the interchange with the Marine Park Bridge located near its northwest corner.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|10 (PDF p.16)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·24 to 2·25}}<ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006"/>

The parking lot was managed by the Marine Parkway Authority (which constructed and operated the Marine Parkway Bridge) until 1940, when it was merged with Robert Moses' [[Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority]] (TBTA). The TBTA operated the parking lot until 1968, when it in turn was merged with the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA)'s [[MTA Bridges and Tunnels|Bridges and Tunnels]] division. In 1974, the entire park and its parking lot was relinquished to the National Park Service.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|2·15 to 2·21}}<ref>{{cite news|title=MTA's Bridge To The Beach|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2014/06/04/mta%E2%80%99s-bridge-beach|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|date=June 4, 2014|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909094955/http://www.mta.info/news/2014/06/04/mta%E2%80%99s-bridge-beach|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge|url=http://web.mta.info/bandt/html/marine.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052646/http://web.mta.info/bandt/html/marine.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Parking fees collected from Riis Park contributed to the construction of the bridge.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|2·15}}

====Additional features====
At the west end of the park across from Fort Tilden is the park's 18-hole, [[pitch and putt]] golf course.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|5·4}} It is {{convert|26|acre|0}} in size.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|146}}<ref>{{cite news|title=New Riis Park At Rockaway Opens on 19th|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%25205%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Eagle%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Eagle%25201937%2520Grayscale%2FBrooklyn%2520NY%2520Daily%2520Eagle%25201937%2520Grayscale%2520-%25205398.pdf|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]|date=June 7, 1937|page=7|archive-date=September 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213816/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%205/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Eagle/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Eagle%201937%20Grayscale/Brooklyn%20NY%20Daily%20Eagle%201937%20Grayscale%20-%205398.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The entrance to the course is from the boardwalk adjacent to the western mall building.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|5·4}} The golf course was constructed during the 1936-1937 projects, and opened in 1938.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/>{{rp|146}} A [[New York City Fire Department]] station and a Park Police station are located at the northwest corner of the golf course, on Beach 169th Street across from Fort Tilden.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/> The fire house, Engine 329 and also called the Neponsit Fire Station, was constructed circa 1957 and opened in 1962. At the time it opened, it served the Neponsit, Roxbury and Breezy Point neighborhoods, as well as southern Brooklyn and Floyd Bennett Field. It replaced a local volunteer fire department when it opened.<ref>{{cite news |title=Improved Fire Protection For West End |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200188.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9f4860d5%26DocId%3D9316798%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D14%26hits%3D25%2B26%2B27%2B8c%2B8d%2B8e%2Ba1%2Ba2%2B122%2B123%2B189%2B18a%2B1a1%2B1a2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200188.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9f4860d5%26DocId%3D9316798%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D14%26hits%3D25%2B26%2B27%2B8c%2B8d%2B8e%2Ba1%2Ba2%2B122%2B123%2B189%2B18a%2B1a1%2B1a2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Wave of Long Island]] |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=April 18, 1057 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213816/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201957/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201957%20-%200188.pdf#xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9f4860d5%26DocId%3D9316798%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D14%26hits%3D25%2B26%2B27%2B8c%2B8d%2B8e%2Ba1%2Ba2%2B122%2B123%2B189%2B18a%2B1a1%2B1a2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200188.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9f4860d5%26DocId%3D9316798%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D14%26hits%3D25%2B26%2B27%2B8c%2B8d%2B8e%2Ba1%2Ba2%2B122%2B123%2B189%2B18a%2B1a1%2B1a2%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=City To Build New Fire House: Land Obtained From Park Department; Will Serve West End Of Peninsula |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200369.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9dedc175%26DocId%3D9316978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D9%26hits%3D30e%2B30f%2B49a%2B49b%2B4ad%2B4ae%2B4af%2B4d5%2B4d6%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200369.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9dedc175%26DocId%3D9316978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D9%26hits%3D30e%2B30f%2B49a%2B49b%2B4ad%2B4ae%2B4af%2B4d5%2B4d6%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Wave of Long Island]] |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=July 25, 1957 |page=5 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902213904/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201957/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201957%20-%200369.pdf#xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9dedc175%26DocId%3D9316978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D9%26hits%3D30e%2B30f%2B49a%2B49b%2B4ad%2B4ae%2B4af%2B4d5%2B4d6%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201957%2520-%25200369.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffff9dedc175%26DocId%3D9316978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D9%26hits%3D30e%2B30f%2B49a%2B49b%2B4ad%2B4ae%2B4af%2B4d5%2B4d6%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rockaways Newest Fire Station Protects Homes And Important Military Facilities |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2520-%25200009.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58457d58%26DocId%3D9319592%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D47%2B48%2B49%2B6f%2B70%2B1cd%2B1ce%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2520-%25200009.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58457d58%26DocId%3D9319592%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D47%2B48%2B49%2B6f%2B70%2B1cd%2B1ce%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Wave of Long Island]] |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=January 3, 1963 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902214324/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201963/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201963%20-%200009.pdf#xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58457d58%26DocId%3D9319592%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D47%2B48%2B49%2B6f%2B70%2B1cd%2B1ce%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201963%2520-%25200009.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58457d58%26DocId%3D9319592%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D47%2B48%2B49%2B6f%2B70%2B1cd%2B1ce%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The ladder company of the fire house, Ladder 171, was closed on November 22, 1975 during the [[New York City fiscal crisis|city's fiscal crisis]].<ref>{{cite news |title=City CLosing Three Sr. Citizen Centers: Area Losing Fire Unit Too |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201537.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D55bac219%26DocId%3D9385429%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3D3ef%2B3f0%2B3f6%2B3f7%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201537.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D55bac219%26DocId%3D9385429%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3D3ef%2B3f0%2B3f6%2B3f7%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Wave of Long Island]] |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=November 13, 1975 |page=1 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902214325/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201972-1975/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201972-1975%20-%201537.pdf#xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D55bac219%26DocId%3D9385429%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3D3ef%2B3f0%2B3f6%2B3f7%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201537.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D55bac219%26DocId%3D9385429%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D4%26hits%3D3ef%2B3f0%2B3f6%2B3f7%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ladder Co. 171 In Neponsit Shut |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201570.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58eae4e5%26DocId%3D9385462%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D3%26hits%3D16f%2B170%2B171%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201570.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58eae4e5%26DocId%3D9385462%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D3%26hits%3D16f%2B170%2B171%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=13 August 2018 |work=[[Wave of Long Island]] |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=November 27, 1975 |page=1 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902214326/https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2021/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201972-1975/Rockaway%20Beach%20NY%20%20Wave%20Of%20Long%20Island%20%201972-1975%20-%201570.pdf#xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58eae4e5%26DocId%3D9385462%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D3%26hits%3D16f%2B170%2B171%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspapers%252021%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2FRockaway%2520Beach%2520NY%2520%2520Wave%2520Of%2520Long%2520Island%2520%25201972-1975%2520-%25201570.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D58eae4e5%26DocId%3D9385462%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520I%252dE%252dV%26HitCount%3D3%26hits%3D16f%2B170%2B171%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the southeast corner of the park just east of the bathhouse and adjacent to Neponsit is [[Neponsit Beach Hospital]], a former children's tuberculosis hospital and later a nursing home. The hospital was built in 1915 on Riis Park property, and closed in September 1998.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Controversy-Nov2006">{{cite news|last1=Kilgannon|first1=Corey|title=In Queens, Closed Nursing Home Still Open to Controversy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/nyregion/30neponsit.html?mcubz=0|access-date=August 28, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 30, 2006|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190749/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/nyregion/30neponsit.html?mcubz=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955"/><ref name="NYDaily-Neponsit-AgeOld-Jun2003">{{cite news|last1=Gearty|first1=Robert|title=CITY TO PAY IN AGE-OLD SUIT 5M deal for nursing home shutdown|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/city-pay-age-old-suit-5m-deal-nursing-home-shutdown-article-1.664416|access-date=August 28, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=June 3, 2003|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902181139/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/city-pay-age-old-suit-5m-deal-nursing-home-shutdown-article-1.664416|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that, over the years, the portion of the beach in front of Neponsit Beach Hospital had evolved into "a queer haven".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Malka|first1=Yael|last2=Hannaham|first2=James|last3=Guerrero|first3=Melissa|last4=Furticella|first4=Jeffrey|last5=Curtis|first5=Tanner|last6=Lieberman|first6=Rebecca|date=2022-09-16|title=Is This the End of the People's Beach?|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/09/15/nyregion/jacob-riis-beach-nyc.html|access-date=2023-03-09|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2023-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317095517/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/09/15/nyregion/jacob-riis-beach-nyc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, city officials planned to demolish the hospital.<ref name="NBC News 2022">{{cite web | title=LGBTQ beach sanctum faces demolition in New York | website=NBC News | date=October 13, 2022 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/lgbtq-beach-sanctum-faces-demolition-new-york-rcna51847 | access-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026020947/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/lgbtq-beach-sanctum-faces-demolition-new-york-rcna51847 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=nyt-2022-09-18>{{Cite news|last=Otis|first=John|date=2022-09-18|title=A 'Time Capsule' in Photos, Just in Case a Beach Changes|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/18/insider/a-time-capsule-in-photos-just-in-case-a-beach-changes.html|access-date=2022-10-26|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2022-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026211552/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/18/insider/a-time-capsule-in-photos-just-in-case-a-beach-changes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The park also contains conventional park recreation including playgrounds and sports fields located in the back beach area. Little league-size baseball fields are located on the west side of the hospital at the east end of the park. Basketball courts are located at the west side of the bathhouse. Farther west near the central mall are handball, paddle ball, and [[shuffleboard]] courts. More basketball and handball courts were previously located along the southern edge of the golf course. There are also open grass areas for picnicking and grilling. One of these areas between the bathhouse and mall was previously a [[floodlights|lighted]] softball field.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|15 (PDF p.21)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|5·4}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Unrau-Ap1981"/><ref name="LowTaplin2009"/> The crescent-shaped plot of land east of the parking lot, {{convert|30|acre|}} in size, is undeveloped and consists of open grass and trees. Baseball fields were formerly present on the southern portion of this site.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|8 (PDF p.14)}}

===Beaches===
[[File:Jacob Riis Beach New York City 2013 Shankbone 3.JPG|thumb|left|The beach and bathhouse at dusk at Jacob Riis Park]]
The beaches at Jacob Riis Park consists of 14 bays numbered east-to-west on the Atlantic coast.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|6 (PDF p.12)}}<ref name="NPS-Gateway-Maps"/><ref name="NYTimes-RiisPk-ClaimingSand-Aug2002">{{cite news|title=Neighborhood Report: Riis Park; Claiming Their Patches of Sand|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/11/nyregion/neighborhood-report-riis-park-claiming-their-patches-of-sand.html?mcubz=0|access-date=August 29, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 11, 2002|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190727/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/11/nyregion/neighborhood-report-riis-park-claiming-their-patches-of-sand.html?mcubz=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The main beach occupies the western half of the park, or Bays 6 through 14, at the mouth of the Central Mall. Bays 1 through 5 lie on the eastern half in front of Neponsit Beach Hospital and the park bathhouse. Bay 1 is directly in front of the hospital, while the bathhouse feeds into Bay 4.<ref name="NPS-Riis Park-Jun1981" /><ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955" /><ref name="LowTaplin2009">{{cite book|author1=Setha Low|author2=Dana Taplin|author3=Suzanne Scheld|title=Rethinking Urban Parks: Public Space and Cultural Diversity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cUhYBCSAYIEC&pg=PA103|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=May 21, 2009|publisher=[[University of Texas Press]]|isbn=978-0-292-77821-4}}</ref><ref name="NPS-Gateway-Maps">{{cite web|title=Gateway National Recreation Area: Maps|url=https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/maps.htm|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053607/https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/maps.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The main beach features a distinctive crescent shape opening towards the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|7·3}} The eastern half of the beach is much more narrow than the western half.<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/> Each bay is separated by reinforced concrete [[jetty|jetties]], boulders, and rows of wooden pilings which extend into the ocean.<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/> The jetties also stabilize the sand of the beach.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{Rp|7·3}} Until the 1950s, Bays 1 and 2 were part of the Neponsit Hospital property.<ref name="NYTimes-Neponsit-Moses-May1955" /> Adjacent to the east of Bay 1 is [[Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk|Rockaway Beach]], another public beach which stretches from Neponsit to [[Far Rockaway, Queens|Far Rockaway]] at the east end of the peninsula.<ref name="NYCPk-RkwyPkConceptual-2014"/>{{rp|12–13}} A fence separates the two beaches.<ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Nude-Jun1983">{{cite news|title=NUDE SUNBATHING AT RIIS PARK IS BANNED BY NEW STATE LAW|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html|access-date=August 30, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 27, 1983|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902190858/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/27/nyregion/nude-sunbathing-at-riis-park-is-banned-by-new-state-law.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bay 1 is often considered the "adult" section of the beach.<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/><ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Fence-Jun2012">{{cite news|last1=Colangelo|first1=Lisa L.|title=Rockaway residents fume over loss of Riis Park fence|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rockaway-residents-fume-loss-riis-park-fence-article-1.1097080|access-date=August 29, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=June 17, 2012|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902180942/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/rockaway-residents-fume-loss-riis-park-fence-article-1.1097080|url-status=live}}</ref> It has historically been popular among the gay community, as well as [[Nude beach|nudists]].<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/><ref name="NYTimes-RiisPk-ClaimingSand-Aug2002" /><ref name="NYDaily-Riis-Fence-Jun2012"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-Nude-Jun1983" /><ref name="NPS-Riis-Segregation">{{cite web|last1=William|first1=Terry|last2=Komblum|first2=William|title=Segregation and Use at Riis Park|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riss.pdf#page=11|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=August 29, 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606010934/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/gate/jacob_riss.pdf#page=11|url-status=live}}</ref> At Bay 1, there is an informal memorial on a chainlink fence for LGBTQ icon [[Ms. Colombia]], who was known to frequent the beach and whose body was found in the ocean near Bay 1 on October 4, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yakas |first=Ben |date=October 14, 2018 |title=Ms Colombia, Beloved NYC LGBTQ Icon, Found Dead At Jacob Riis Beach |work=Gothamist |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ms-colombia-beloved-nyc-lgbtq-icon-found-dead-at-jacob-riis-beach |access-date=June 25, 2023 |archive-date=June 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625175714/https://gothamist.com/news/ms-colombia-beloved-nyc-lgbtq-icon-found-dead-at-jacob-riis-beach |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Iezzi |first=Annie |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Queer Riis Beachgoers Celebrate Community as Demolition of Nearby Hospital Looms |work=The City |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/8/29/23328007/queer-riis-beachgoers-celebrate-lgbtq-community-as-demolition-of-nearby-hospital-looms |access-date=June 25, 2023 |archive-date=June 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625175726/https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/8/29/23328007/queer-riis-beachgoers-celebrate-lgbtq-community-as-demolition-of-nearby-hospital-looms |url-status=live }}</ref> The remaining bays have also been informally segregated in the past.<ref name="LowTaplin2009"/><ref name="NPS-Riis-Segregation"/><ref name="NYTimes-Riis-BetterImage-Sep1991"/>

{{clear left}}

==Transportation==
===Public transport===
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = horizontal
| image1    = NYC Transit Grumman Flxible 870 236.jpg
| caption1  = A retired [[Grumman 870]] parked in front of Riis Park
| image2    = Riis Landing jeh.JPG
| caption2  = The Riis Landing ferry stop on the Jamaica Bay shore
| width     =  250
| footer    =
| footer_align      = left
}}
<!--[[File:NYC Transit Grumman Flxible 870 236.jpg|thumb|right|A retired [[Grumman 870]] parked in front of Riis Park]]
[[File:Riis Landing jeh.JPG|thumb| ]]-->

The {{NYC bus link|Q22}} and {{NYC bus link|Q35}} local buses serve the park on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The Q22 runs east-to-west across the Rockaway Peninsula.<ref name="MTABusTime-Q22"/> The Q35 travels between Rockaway Park and Brooklyn via the Marine Parkway Bridge.<ref name="MTABusTime-Q35"/> During summer months (late May to early September) when the park is open, eastbound Q22 buses and all Q35 buses stop at the Riis Park bathhouse.<ref name="MTA-Q22-Q35-RiisPark-2015"/> This stop also acts as a drop-off area for passenger cars.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|3·4}} Off-season, the closest stop to the park is at Beach 149th Street in front of Neponsit Hospital; westbound Q22s use this stop during summer months.<ref name="MTA-Q22-Q35-RiisPark-2015"/> An additional eastbound bus stop is located at the north end of the mall near the bridge.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|12 (PDF p.18)}}<ref name="NPS-Riis-Cultural-1992" />{{rp|5·4}}<ref name=MTA-QnsBusMap-Current/><ref name="MTABusTime-Q22"/><ref name="MTABusTime-Q35"/><ref name="MTA-Q22-Q35-RiisPark-2015">{{cite web|title=Planned Service Changes: Summer service to and from Jacob Riis Park|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/planned_servChanges_Q22Q35.htm|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=September 3, 2017|date=2015|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052735/http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/planned_servChanges_Q22Q35.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The {{NYC bus link|QM16}} express route to Manhattan also operates on Rockaway Beach Boulevard, terminating at the park bathhouse and parking lot. QM16 passengers utilize the parking lot as a park-and-ride facility.<ref name=MTA-QnsBusMap-Current/><ref>{{cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Ellen|title=Move QM 16 Back|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2011-12-16/Letters/Move_QM_16_Back.html|publisher=[[Wave of Long Island]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007052448/http://www.rockawave.com/news/2011-12-16/Letters/Move_QM_16_Back.html|archive-date=October 7, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=October 6, 2015|date=December 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Goldfeder Improves Morning Commute For QM16 Riders|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2016-01-13/Front_Page/Goldfeder_Improves_Morning_Commute_For_QM16_Riders.html|access-date=September 3, 2017|work=Queens Gazette|date=January 13, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116124119/http://www.qgazette.com/news/2016-01-13/Front_Page/Goldfeder_Improves_Morning_Commute_For_QM16_Riders.html|archive-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>

The closest [[New York City Subway]] station is the [[Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street (IND Rockaway Line)|Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street]] station on the [[IND Rockaway Line]] <!--over {{convert|1|mi|km}}-->east of the park, served by the {{NYCS trains|Rockaway Park}}.<ref name="NYCPk-RkwyPkConceptual-2014"/>{{rp|14}}<ref name=MTA-RockawaysMap-2015/> The Q22 and Q35 connect to the station. The Q35 also connects to the [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College]] station in Brooklyn.<ref name="MTA-RockawaysMap-2015">{{Cite NYCS map|neighborhood|The Rockaways}}</ref><ref name="MTA-QnsBusMap-Current">{{Cite NYC bus map|Q}}</ref><ref name="MTABusTime-Q22">{{cite web|title=MTA Bus Time: Q22 Rockaway Beach Blvd - Beach Channel Dr|url=http://bustime.mta.info/#Q22|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=[[MTA Bus Time]]|access-date=2023-09-02|archive-date=2015-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107093818/http://bustime.mta.info/#Q22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MTABusTime-Q35">{{cite web|title=MTA Bus Time: Q35 Rockaway Park - Brooklyn College|url=http://bustime.mta.info/#Q35|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=[[MTA Bus Time]]|access-date=2023-09-02|archive-date=2015-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107093818/http://bustime.mta.info/#Q35|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[New York Water Taxi]] operated a Rockaway ferry, also called the New York Beach Ferry, from [[Pier 11/Wall Street]] in Lower Manhattan, which stopped at Riis Landing in front of Fort Tilden on Jamaica Bay. Service began in May 2008.<ref name="NYCPk-RkwyPkConceptual-2014"/>{{rp|15}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkbeachferry.com/|title=New York Whale Watching - Whale, Dolphin, Bird, Turtle Watching NY - July 4th Fireworks New York|first=New York Beach|last=Ferry|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705104009/http://www.newyorkbeachferry.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Brosh|first1=Brendan|title=New Rockaway ferry route to Wall Street awash in funding brouhaha|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/new-rockaway-ferry-route-wall-street-awash-funding-brouhaha-article-1.329964|access-date=September 6, 2017|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=May 12, 2008|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052658/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/new-rockaway-ferry-route-wall-street-awash-funding-brouhaha-article-1.329964|url-status=live}}</ref> [[NYC Ferry]] also operates the [[Rockaway Ferry]] route from Pier 11/Wall Street to Beach 108th Street in Rockaway Park. A free shuttle bus travels from the ferry terminal, stopping at Beach 149th Street, the Riis Park bathhouse, and Beach 169th Street.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Warerkar|first1=Tanay|title=Ferry service to the Rockaways will get a boost from bus service: Two free shuttle buses will run to and from the ferry terminal|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/11/13590984/rockaways-ferry-service-free-shuttle-bus|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Curbed]]|date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052306/https://ny.curbed.com/2016/11/11/13590984/rockaways-ferry-service-free-shuttle-bus|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Road access===
Highway access to Riis Park is provided by the [[Belt Parkway]], which runs along the south shore of Brooklyn and Queens. The Belt Parkway connects to the Marine Parkway Bridge via its [[Flatbush Avenue]] exit in [[Marine Park, Brooklyn]]. [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards|Cross Bay Boulevard]] provides access from central Queens and [[Broad Channel, Queens|Broad Channel]], leading to both Beach Channel Drive and Rockaway Beach Boulevard.<ref name="NPS-Riis-Tilden-Jun1989"/>{{rp|10–11 (PDF p.16–17)}}<ref name="DepInterior-Gateway-Transport-May2006" /><ref name="NYCPk-RkwyPkConceptual-2014"/>{{rp|14}} The Riis Park parking lot is a pay-to-park facility during summer months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm|title=Fees & Passes - Gateway National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-date=November 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103165129/http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The park was featured in a [[Cracker Jack]] commercial in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the boardwalk and the Wise clock shown.<ref name="Rockawave-RiisClock-StillStands-2013">{{cite news|last1=Patrylo|first1=John|last2=Guarino|first2=Dan|title=Riis Clock Still Stands|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2013-04-12/Community/Riis_Clock_Still_Stands.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=April 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052413/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2013-04-12/Community/Riis_Clock_Still_Stands.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Looking Backward: What The Wave Said 20 Years Ago...|url=http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2011-03-11/Columnists/Looking_Backward.html|access-date=September 4, 2017|work=[[Wave of Long Island]]|date=March 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909052753/http://rockawave.our-hometown.com/news/2011-03-11/Columnists/Looking_Backward.html|archive-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Jacob Riis Park}}
* [http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/jari.html Jacob Riis Park] Visitor information
* [https://www.nps.gov/gate/index.htm Gateway National Recreation Area]

{{Protected areas of New York City}}
{{National Register of Historic Places listings in Queens}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Parks in Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Rockaway, Queens]]
[[Category:Robert Moses projects]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Gateway National Recreation Area]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Historic districts in Queens, New York]]
[[Category:LGBTQ culture in New York City]]
[[Category:Beaches of Queens, New York]]