orchard beach was built as part of pelham bay park and was originally located on the eastern shore of rodman's neck peninsula. in the 1930s, new york city parks commissioner robert moses announced a project to expand orchard beach northward by connecting several islands in pelham bay park via landfill. the expanded beach was dedicated in 1936 and opened in 1937, along with its pavilion and concession stands. renovations to the beachfront were made in subsequent years. sand was restored to the beach in 1964 and again in 1995.