Orchard Beach in the Bronx was opened by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses in the 1930s; it was so grand that it was called “the Riviera of New York”/“Bronx Riviera.” The beach soon fell into disrepair and was known for its unclean water. The nickname “Horseshit Beach”—similar to “Orchard Beach” if you say them both quickly—was popular by at least the 1950s.
 
Spanish speakers in the Bronx hae called Orchard Beach “Chocha Beach” (“chocha” means vagina) after the beach’s smells and sights. “Chocha Beach” became popular by the 1990s; the potentially offensive term is so familiar that it’s used as an endearment.
       
 
NYC Parks
Orchard Beach and Promenade
On Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park
(718) 885-2275
Orchard Beach, Bronx’s sole public beach, was proclaimed “The Riviera of New York” when it was created in the 1930s. The 115-acre, 1.1-mile-long beach contains a hexagonal-block promenade, a central pavilion, snack bars, food and souvenir carts, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, a large parking lot, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. Changing areas and showers are available.
 
Wikipedia: Pelham Bay Park
Orchard Beach
Orchard Beach, a public beach, is part of Pelham Bay Park. Sometimes called the Bronx Riviera, the 115-acre (0.47 km2), 1.1-mile (1.8 km)-long park consists of a 13-section sandy beach, a hexagonal-block promenade, a central pavilion with food stores and specialty shops, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, a large parking lot, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. It is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and is most recognized for its unique crescent shape and beautiful view of City Island, Bronx.
 
Google Groups: alt.culture.us.1970s
OT:Red and Blue States
The Wanderer
7/16/05
Never been to Orchard myself. My Puerto Ricaqn friends refer to it as chocha beach because of the scantily clad latinas there.
 
YouTube
ChoCha BeacH
PUERTO RIKAN BLOOD FLOWS THROUGH MY BRONX VAINZ
Uploaded on Jul 17, 2006
us leaviing eaarrlly to go deal wiith some drama bck On th3 Block .... STILL NOT STRESSING SHIIT WE 3 F MOB YA DIIG….. we Stay Chiiliin for lif3 ......
 
Twitter
JOB
‏@JuannyToots
http://twitpic.com/1e4csk - Bike ride to Orchard Beach. AKA Horseshit Beach. AKA Chocha Beach. It’s really not THAT bad.
3:17 PM - 8 Apr 2010
       
The Fordham Observer
Orchard Beach
Aug 3, 2011
By Melissa Castillo-Garsow
Margaret Lamb /Writing to the right-hand Margin Prize (Fiction) Award Runner-Up
Published: April 20, 2011
(...)
They call it chocha beach because it smells of sex and pot and unflattering bikinis.
 
Urban Dictionary
Chocha Beach
Chocha refers to the beautiful honeycup known as the female yoni. It is an ancient Taino (indigenous peoples of Puerto Rico) slang word which calls to the English-speaking mind a conch. Nay, it is that sweet human shell from which we all came. If you’re still at a loss, it’s a twat.
 
When paired with the word “beach” the phrase becomes a euphemism for swimming in the seas of said sweet human shell, or, as the kids say, muff diving.
 
One can go to “chocha beach” but one can still fail at it in general. One who swims particularly well at “chocha beach” is a blessed, blessed soul for whom there are no limitations. Yea, verily, they are to be treasured.
 
One would be remiss to not mention the many Eastern Sea Board residents who commonly refer to the polluted Orchard Beach as “Chocha Beach” for it’s foul odor. But that is a hateful
(...)
by DianasaurusWrecks July 27, 2011
 
Twitter
DJ_3nigma
‏@DeeJay_3nigma
shout out to everyone going to chocha beach or as i know it, horseshit beach.
8:29 AM - 21 Jun 2012
 
Twitter
W.T.
‏@NYCWT
There is a beach called “Horseshit Beach” in the Bronx. It is also lovingly called “Chocha Beach” by Ricans.
12:54 PM - 8 May 2013
   
Gothamist
Photos: Bronx Beach Style From One Of NYC’s Dirtiest Beaches
BY JEN CARLSON IN ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON JUN 27, 2013 1:51 PM
(...)
So in that spirit, we’re going to LA LA LA ignore all of that, and take a look at a crowded Orchard Beach, which used to be referred to as the Bronx Riviera, and has more recently been dubbed “Horse Shit Beach” by locals.
(...)
COMMENTS
Nicole
Everyone knows Orchard Beach’s real nickname is Chocha Beach
 
Roncore
Haven’t heard that in forever! you just took me back to 1993!
 
1World!Family.me
Orchard Beach: The Bronx Riviera by Wayne Lawrence
September 5, 2013 in Profiles, TALD
(...)
For the families who have called this scarred landscape home, Orchard Beach, the only beach in the borough, was and remains a treasured respite from the sweltering confines of the concrete jungle. Built in the 1930s by urban planner Robert Moses, the beach carries the stigma as being one of the worst in New York and is commonly known as Horseshit Beach or Chocha Beach.”
   
TheBlinker
THE BRONX LENS: IN DEFENSE OF ORCHARD BEACH
By Amin Fernandez
10 September 2014
(...)
While growing up in New York, I was underwhelmed to say the least. The first beach I visited was Orchard Beach or “Chocha Beach” as some Latinos refer to it (both derisively and endearingly). I remember it being dirty and frigid. So much so that after seeing both a used diaper and dead catfish while wading, I was deterred from getting into it’s waters ever again.
   
Curbed—New York
Bronx’s Historic Orchard Beach Pavilion Could Get $40M Facelift
BY TANAY WARERKAR FEB 19, 2016, 10:00A
(...)
COMMENTS
YourFriendLenny
Guys, guys, please use the beach’s correct name: Chocha Beach.
I’ll show myself out now.
Posted on February 18, 2016 | 7:00 PM