Three hundred tons of sand blanketed a parking lot on Governors Island this week to create a new beach that will open July 4. Run by New York Water Taxi, the beach will start out with not much more than sand and a grill, but over the next few weeks a stage, volleyball net and a cafe serving food grown on the island will appear as well. The beach will also offer Governors Island visitors their first ever chance to grab a beer starting on Independence Day, and cocktails are coming as soon as a full liquor license is approved. Fridays through Sundays, the beach will be open for free, along with the rest of the island, but some evening concerts, like Mos Def on Sept. 12, will require paid tickets.
