Jacob Riis Bathing Pavilion at Gateway National Recreation Area

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The large art deco building at Jacob Riis Park in Queens is the Bathing Pavilion. It was built in 1932, and during its heyday it was home to a Howard Johnsons restaurant and a surf shop and had an outdoor seating area on the roof.

One of two towers of the Jacob Riis Park Bath Pavilion, Gateway National Recreation Area

The Bathing Pavilion actually consists of four buildings. The entry pavilion is the section of the bathhouse that faces the parking area. This is where visitors of the past paid their entrance fees before walking out the back side of building to the courtyard between it and the main bathhouse that runs parallel to the beach.

Entry pavilion of the Jacob Riis Park Bathing Pavilion, Gateway National Recreation Area

Entry pavilion of the Jacob Riis Park Bathing Pavilion in Queens, Gateway National Recreation Area

Courtyard view of the main bathhouse at Jacob Riis Park, Gateway National Recreation Area

Off to each side of the main bathhouse are separate buildings known as the East Wing Pavilion and West Wing Pavilion. These now house restrooms, a Ranger and lifeguard station, and an exhibit area.

East Wing Pavilion of the Jacob Riis Park Bathing Pavilion, Gateway National Recreation Area

By the time Jacob Riis Park became part of Gateway National Recreation Area in the 1972, the Bathing Pavilion had been abandoned for many years and was in poor condition. The National Park Service began a $20 million restoration project in the 1990s, but other than removing asbestos, nothing much was done. In the meantime, Hurricanes Irene (2011) and Sandy (2012) did additional damage to the building. A recent $4 million renovation has the entry pavilion and the lower floor of the main bathhouse in habitable condition, and now there are restaurants and entertainment venues open to the public.

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