In 1896, Midland Beach opened to the public. At the time, a trolley would leave Richmond Road to take you to the beach. People from Manhattan and New Jersey would often come to the beach in boats which ran directly from said places. While the main attractions were sunbathing and swimming, Midland Beach had many other features which resulted in it being a very popular summer resort. Hotels populated most of the area, where people could enjoy Midland Beach's casino, live concerts, vaudeville acts, free movies and connected with the South Beach boardwalk and piers. During the 1920's, many fires broke out, destroying what was once a wonderful summer resort. In 1935, the two-and-a-half-mile Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk was built in place of the decrepit features of earlier years.Â
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Today, Midland Beach's park area has and assortment of age specific playgrounds, sprinklers, and handball courts. Soccer fields and softball fields were part of the revamping of Midland Beach in the mid and late 1990's.
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At the connecting point between Midland Beach and South Beach a memorial known as Freedom Circle was created to honor of those who dedicated their lives to keep America free. Seven renditions of the American flag are flown representing the course of United States History in its preservation of freedom. At the base of each flag you will historic details of each flags creation.
Midland Beach is approximately 2 miles long, with the entire waterfront protected by seasonal lifeguards hired by New York City's Parks Department. The area is home to a large picnic area that sits at the foot of Greeley Ave.on Father Capodanno Blvd. Open barbecuing is permitted in the picnic area. It should be noted that public events and large events at Midland Beach require permitting some may require insurance on ball fields. You can call 311 for details.
Along the paved walkway is a bicycle/roller-skating path, and on the beach is a kayak launch site. The area is completely wheelchair-accessible and offers free parking in the lots along Father Capodanno Boulevard. One of Staten Island's larger attractions over the last decade has been the "Back to the Beach" event, where Midland Beach plays host. The event draws thousands of residents from across Staten Island in a festival like setting, from hot dog eating contests, to kids face painting and an evening of fireworks displays.
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