Beating the heat at Jones Beach

With the summer upon us, Long Island residents are excited to make their way back to the beach.

Jones Beach State Park has been a summer destination for Long Island residents since it opened in 1929. Now 86 years later, the state will be investing $65 million into the park to enhance and improve its facilities. The money will be used to improve the infrastructure of the bathhouses, among other items.

Queens resident Joe Cloonan says that he comes down to the beach nearly every day in the summer. “It is a very relaxing day for me,” he says. Cloonan enjoys coming down to the beach early in the morning to avoid the crowds while he takes his walks and reads the newspaper.

Cloonan said he is aware of the current renovations taking place in the park but does not know what to anticipate. “Obviously I see the fences and workers and I’ve seen sketches,” he said, “but it’s hard to tell what it will look like until the fences and everything are gone.”

The revitalization project at Field 6 will include a new year-round restaurant, more restroom facilities, improved energy efficiency and restored landscaping with native plants.

Seaford resident John Lois said that he and his wife try and come down to the beach as much as possible. Lois added that they also enjoy attending different concerts. “We enjoy spending time at the ocean and relaxing,” he said.

The park also will continue its automated paid parking kiosks at the top of the Meadowbrook Parkway. Beachgoers may also purchase their parking tickets at the East and West Bathhouses. Parking is $10 per car during the summer season.