Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx

Orchard Beach is a public beach that is part of the Pelham Bay Park in the borough of the Bronx. The man-made beach consists of a hexagonal-block promenade, a central pavilion with food stores and specialty shops, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, a large parking lot, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. It is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and is most recognized for its unique crescent shape. It is surrounded by acres of natural forest, marshlands, and coastline. Urban planner Robert Moses came up with the concept and planned its construction. The process involved filling in approximately one third of Pelham Bay with landfill, followed by a total of 1.2 million cubic yards of sand brought by barge from Sandy Hook, New Jersey and the Rockaways in Queens. The landfill was placed among Rodman's Neck, Twin Island, and Hunters Island.