Rockaway Beach in New York City is getting a major overhaul as part of a project to combat the disappearing sands.
Beach erosion is becoming an increasing problem in many areas across the world. Rockaway Beach in New York City is getting a major overhaul as part of a project to combat the disappearing sands.
The city has decided to utilize recycled Christmas trees and create makeshift dunes to protect the beach. Authorities are also using additional methods to stop erosion including sand replacement and trap bags.
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hosts an annual Christmas tree recycling program called MulchFest, some of which would be used for preserving the beach.
Last season the parks department received over 26,000 trees and is asking local residents to recycle their trees for the dunes or to be chipped for mulch. The goal is to acquire around 3,000 trees for Rockaway Beach.
It’s hoped the tree dune building will begin in February. Rockaway Beach is still in recovery mode following Hurricane Sandy.
The natural sand dunes on the beach were depleted and the boardwalk was destroyed. The biodegradable trees will act as a man made dune, serving as a banded together barrier that will allow more time for sand dunes to resurface.
