Budgeting swimmingly

Orchard Beach, the Bronx Riviera, was a workingman’s paradise once. But the treasure hasn’t lately been treated with the respect it deserves, with the enormous landmark bathhouse crumbling behind chain-link fences, a far state from when the lavish edifice was created by master builder Robert Moses in 1936.

Last summer, one of our number who was swimming at Orchard Beach had a chance meeting there with Mayor de Blasio. The mayor got an earful about need to upgrade the facilities — and committed to doing something about them.

That something comes into focus today, in his proposed municipal budget: $20 million to restore Orchard Beach’s grand pavilion and provide direct beach access for people with disabilities, complementing $10 million from Gov. Cuomo, $10 million from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz and $10 million from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

We will be happy to join de Blasio, Cuomo, Diaz and Heastie in their bathing suits at Orchard Beach. (Some emperors have no clothes, but all politicians have Speedos.)

There’s just one problem: There will still be no place to change, other than in the toilet stalls.

The city’s seven beaches are spread over 14 miles: Orchard, Coney Island/Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway, South Beach/Midland Beach, Wolfe’s Pond and Cedar Grove.

Once, all had changing areas. Now, in each and every one, there are only the toilets.

Compare that to the state beaches on Long Island, also built by Moses. There again, are seven beaches spread over 14 miles: Jones, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Wildwood, Heckscher, Orient and Hither Hills. All have changing areas, as do the city’s swimming pools.

We’re not asking for palaces, just simple structures with benches and hooks. The $50 million allocated can easily cover the cost at Orchard.

As for the other beaches: Buddy, can you spare some change — so all of us can change?