Limited access to our waterfront, deters the public from utilizing their beaches. Which in turn cuts off the public from education and learning about the environment. In the case of the Rockaway Peninsula we have the longest stretch of public waterfront in the State of New York and miles of it have become blighted and abandoned for nearly a century. Yet many of the people who live here, know very little about their own shoreline because they have been blocked from entering their beaches by locked gates and signage discouraging the public from using it.
The Rockaway community has been divided by both race and class over a long period of time and it is no coincidence that the beaches located in primarily minority communities have been hit hardest by environmental injustices. RWA believes that by educating and engaging the public in activities related to the environment that we will be able to bridge these gaps, by helping to raise awareness of these natural resources and in turn improving on the health, quality of life and program services that is so needed in the Rockaway community.
RWA presently leads afterschool program to teach youth about beach stewardship , water safety and environmental justice, but it is essential that the public get involved too. American Red Cross, US Army Corps of Engineers and NYC Department of Education also have videos on water safety. Take the time to watch them with your families online to learn more about rip currents, water safety and the rules to follow when on the beach.
Public safety has always been our top concern but advocacy to ensure all our beaches are accessible to the public is critical so more people can be well educated and informed about the natural environment.