Concerns Over Dangerous Pier at Rockaway Beach

This summer marks another year without John Munoz for his family, as they remember their beloved boy. The deteriorating pier, where he is reported to have lost his life, still stands at Rockaway Beach.

The 70-year-old structure, often referred to as a “death stake,” is slated for removal come November, which is two months after lifeguards wrap up their season. Many grieving families feel this is long overdue.

“I’m really disappointed that it’s taken so long to get rid of it,” said Muñoz’s sister, Enesnia Rodriguez.

Rodriguez recalls hearing stories about the dangers of Rockaways growing up. “We always knew it was risky, but you don’t truly grasp its peril until it hits home,” she reflected. “This pier has always posed a threat, even before I was born. It’s still a danger today.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now working on a plan to remove this pier as part of a broader project addressing 19 piers along the Queens coastline. This is similar to a previous proposal that had faced delays.

City Council member Joao Arriola mentioned that an attempt was made to remove the wooden structure as part of a 2020 project but hit roadblocks when a contractor failed to engage with the hazardous areas, deeming it a “bureaucratic nightmare.”

New recruits for the project are set to be hired in October, with funding coming from the city’s Parks Department.

If everything goes smoothly, the work might commence in November, Arriola indicated.

Rodriguez, reflecting on the situation, said, “Given the rip currents and other dangers, it feels like one of the riskiest spots for swimmers and surfers. When the tide rises, you can’t even see it.”

Some still feel that, while the new plans are a step in the right direction, it won’t ease the pain of families who have lost loved ones in similar situations.

Critics suggest Munoz’s drowning is part of a troubling pattern tied to this pier. In July 2019, the 18-year-old slipped from the pier while with friends and was swept away by the waves.

Although his death was ruled an accidental drowning, his sister shared that his body bore marks from the structure. “He hit [the jetty] and was knocked unconscious; he drowned right there,” she said.

The loss has been heavy. “We take it one day at a time, dealing with the pain. We carry him in our hearts,” Rodriguez reflected. “A part of us died with him. We’ve been hearing these stories for years—it’s been seven years since he left us, and it took so long for them to acknowledge this is risky.”

Another tragedy struck last summer, with Sebastian Lasaosa Rogers losing his life when his board’s leash became entangled in a decrepit wooden pier. Two more surfers experienced fatal accidents in 2009 and 2010 due to similar circumstances.

While there is hope for the removal of the dangerous pier, some residents remain doubtful about the timeline. “If it happens by November, that would be remarkable,” said Paul King, the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association president, who has long pushed for the structure’s removal.

“This isn’t just a potential risk; we’ve already experienced tragedies. This is a critical issue,” King emphasized.