the beach was dedicated in july 1936 despite only being partially complete. the dedication attracted an estimated 18,000 beach-goers. orchard beach was set to open along with the upgraded jacob riis park in queens on june 19, 1937, but the openings were pushed back due to unfinished work. both beaches were opened on june 25, 1937, and the bathhouse pavilion at pelham bay park also opened that year. orchard beach was completed in 1938. later that year, the bathhouse and beach were damaged by a hurricane. sewage from nearby city island also seeped onto the beach, and moses was threatening to close the beach until the city agreed to build a new sewage pipe for the island.