On Saturday, July 25, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) is hosting the 9th Annual Jamaica Bay Festival, taking place on City of Water Day — a celebration of our shorelines and waterways across all five boroughs.

Here on Jamaica Bay and Rockaway, there will be many opportunities to get out on the water and enjoy the wide open spaces of New York City’s largest natural area — 44 square miles of water, salt marsh and parklands. Roughly one-third, or 170 miles, of the city’s coastline is around Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. On a typical day in Jamaica Bay, you might see diving shorebirds hunting for a meal, terrapin turtles foraging among the marshlands, and larger marine mammals like seals, dolphins, and even whales.





Festival-goers can take part in free kayaking, canoeing, fishing, or a special ride on the ferry with the local community group, The Shorewalkers. No matter what you’re doing in the parks on July 25, riding the ferry to Rockaway Landing provides an open-water, immersive experience that completely changes your perspective on living in our metropolis. Ferry-riders regularly take home snapshots of wildlife sharing the waterways, stunning vistas, and entrancing sunsets. This past weekend, NYC Ferry also expanded the Rockaway-Soundview route, activating their “Rockaway Rocket,” with express service from Long Island City and Greenpoint directly to the ferry landing on Beach 108th St.

For our neighbors who are unable, or less inclined, to get onto the open water, there are a bevy of free activities taking place across the 25 parks around Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. This year, JBRPC is proud to partner with 30 local community organizations to host over 40 free, family-friendly activities from morning to evening — encompassing wildlife and nature, history, stewardship, arts, culture, and recreation of all kinds.

“Jamaica Bay is one of New York City’s greatest treasures, and events like the Jamaica Bay Festival give residents an opportunity to get outside, connect with nature, and really learn about all of the amazing things the bay has to offer,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola. “Thank you to the JBRPC and to everyone else involved for putting this festival together, and for giving people an opportunity to learn about and interact with Jamaica Bay in ways they may never have had the opportunity to before”

“I’ve always believed that access to green space and clean water isn’t a luxury; it’s a public health necessity. The Jamaica Bay Festival brings our neighbors together to enjoy the natural beauty right in our backyard, and I’m proud to support JBRPC and all of their partners in making these free, family-friendly events possible for the 46th District and beyond,” said Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse

The details of every activity taking place during Jamaica Bay Festival are listed on an interactive map, published at JamaicaBayFestival.com, which makes selecting activities and planning your day easier than ever.