Known as Battery Park Beach, this stretch of sand was more than an impromptu retreat. For Manhattanites like Suellen Epstein, who grew up nearby, it was a treasured getaway. Suellen recalled spending sunny Sundays there with her boyfriend, noting the rough texture of the sand and the rare solitude it offered in the bustling city.

If you stroll near Battery Park today, it’s almost impossible to picture the sandy beach that once stretched along the waterfront where the Twin Towers stood. The area is now a hub of modern buildings, bustling streets, and serene promenades with views of the Statue of Liberty.

This urban shoreline once hosted a surprising sight: a beach where New Yorkers sunbathed and played. Beneath the shadow of the World Trade Center, this accidental oasis offered a peaceful escape from the city’s chaos, though its creation was never intentional.

The beach emerged in the mid-1970s due to construction delays during the building of the Twin Towers. Excavation from the project resulted in a sandy shoreline, which locals quickly embraced as a recreational haven. Volleyball games, quiet reading, and sunbathing became common pastimes under the looming towers.