World famous Jones Beach State Park, home of 6.5 miles of beautiful white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, is made up of more than 2,400-acres of maritime environment on the south shore of Nassau County, Long Island. Among the 6 million visitors to the park each year, families enjoy their own piece of the beach for a day, with many returning dozens of times through the summer. Designed on the theme of an ocean liner, Jones Beach offers many activities to those who visit the park.
Swim in the ocean, stroll the boardwalk, fish, get a bite to eat at one of the many concession stands, visit the Boardwalk Cafe, Dine-in a the Gatsby on the Ocean Restaurant, Enjoy the WildPlay Adventure Park, play miniature golf, shuffleboard, basketball, corn hole, paddle tennis, table tennis and pickle ball, attend concerts at North well Health Theatre. Other activities that take place in the park include learning about the marine environment at the NEW Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, pool swimming, sunbathing, bicycling, surfing, and visiting the playgrounds.
The park’s oceanfront setting and natural environment have little development or advertising, creating a refreshing break from the hectic pace of life of Long Island and the metropolitan area. Less than 20 miles from New York City, Jones Beach is a playground for millions of people who live nearby.
The park is host to a number of popular programs, most notably the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach every Memorial Day weekend, July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, concerts at the theater, band shell entertainment, softball and volleyball league tournaments, and nature center programs. The Jones Beach Nature Center caters to daily visitors and organized groups covering topics from endangered species to maritime habitats.
Jones Beach State Park and Jones Island which stretches east of the park were the creation of master builder Robert Moses in the 1920s. By dredging sand from what is now the State Boat Channel, Moses raised the elevation of the barrier islands by fourteen feet, connecting several small islands into one long stretch topped by Ocean Parkway. Moses created a great “people’s park” from what he described as mosquito infested swamps and small islands.
Today, parking fields 3, 4 and 5 are connected to the beachfront by tunnels under Ocean Parkway, providing easy access to the thousands of people who arrive daily. Parking fields 2 and 6 are Oceanfront parking areas with accessible parking. Mobility mats over the sand down to the high tide line are located at Field 6, Zach’s Bay, Central Mall, West bathhouse, and Field 2. At field 10, fishing piers and a fully equipped bait and tackle shop enable fishing and crabbing until sunset. The regional Night Fishing Permit is required after sunset.
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Also visit the African American Museum of Nassau County
