New York to get its first 'floating beach'?

City Beach is a 260-foot long barge covered in sand, set to park itself on the Hudson River. Featuring bars, restaurants, deckchairs and even a marine science exhibit, it is being marketed as a "completely floating island beach experience".

One innovative experience designer has come up with a plan to bring a ‘floating beach' to Manhattan. "City Beach" is a 260-foot long barge covered in sand, set to park itself on the Hudson River.

City-Beach-is-New-York-s-first-floating-beach-docked-along-side-the-shore-line-of-Manhattan-complete-with-changing-rooms-lounge-chairs-and-boardwalk-AFP

Featuring bars, restaurants, deckchairs and even a marine science exhibit, it is being marketed as a "completely floating island beach experience".

The brainchild of Blayne Ross, the beach park aims to offer NYC residents the chance to take a break from the chaos of the city. The design was inspired by the aesthetic of a potato chip dropped onto a barge, referencing coastal sand dunes.

It will hold 1,200 cubic yards of sand and 200 beach chairs. Ross's emphasis is firmly on relaxation rather than partying. "It's definitely just about having space, because I lost that when I moved here," he explains.

The project was launched this week on crowdfunding website IndieGoGo.

Inner city beaches are becoming a strong urban trend, with spots such as Paris and Vienna embracing the concept with "Paris Plages" and the "Vienna City Beach Club" respectively.