Since I was a little girl, this amazing place has been my go-to destination to relax, play and enjoy nature.
Welcome to Jones Beach State Park, a popular oceanfront summer destination on Long Island, internationally famous for its sprawling white sand shoreline. Designed on the theme of an ocean liner, Jones Beach offers many activities for all ages. You can swim in the Atlantic ocean, stroll the boardwalk, take a dip in the pool, fish, and get a bite to eat at one of the many concession stands. More recently, the Wildplay Adventure Park opened with zip lining. Other activities include miniature golf, shuffleboard, basketball, corn hole, paddle tennis, table tennis and pickleball. The choices are endless.
Jones Beach offers something for everyone, no matter what the season.
Whether you visit during the hot, balmy New York summers or the cold winters, this park is magical. Walk along the expansive boardwalk or shoreline and enjoy the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean!
So let’s take a closer look at Jones Beach State Park.
HISTORY
Jones Beach Island is one of the outer barrier islands off the southern coast of Long Island, New York. It is located in Nassau County, Long Island on Jones Beach Island. This island is actually a barrier island linked to Long Island by three parkways — the Wantagh Parkway, the Meadowbrook State Parkway and Ocean Parkway.
It is named for Major Thomas Jones , who first came to Long Island in 1692. He built his first house in Massapequa, Long Island and a whaling station near the present site of the park. Jones Beach Island is sometimes referred to as Oak Beach Island and is the former home of the infamous Oak Beach Inn.
THE FAMOUS “PENCIL”
When you approach Jones Beach, the first structure you see, and certainly can’t miss, is the “pencil” as we islanders call it. This structure has been around for more than 90 years.
Some other interesting facts about this monument include:https://www.longisland.com/news/12-03-19/crazy-facts-about-the-jones-beach-water-tower.html
- The roof (the point) is made of copper and is 32 feet high
- The tower is made of Ohio sandstone and Barbizon brick
- It measures 188 feet tall (or 231 feet tall depending on where you look up the info)
- The tower extends more than 1,000 feet underground
Believe it or not, this structure was inspired by the Bell Tower of St Mark’s Basilica! And this tower isn’t just a monument, but its a full functioning water tower. It provides the park with all of its fresh water.
MILES OF SANDY BEACHES
Jones Beach is home to over 6.5 miles of white sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It is actually located on an island that was originally swampy and often submerged during storms. Developers dredged to bring sand up and to create an island that no sits 12 feet above sea level. Beach grass was planted by hand in 1928 to help create a barrier to the wind that was blowing the sand around too much.https://www.softschools.com/facts/beaches/jones_beach_facts/3372/
THE BOARDWALK
The Jones Beach boardwalk stretches 4 miles round trip. As you stroll along it, you can learn about its history from signs posted along the way, enjoy the art work, hear the crashing waves of the ocean and breath the sea air!
VENUES AND EVENTS
During the summer months, a band shell on the boardwalk offers free local musical entertainment. Just pull up a beach chair and enjoy!
More interested in seeing famous musical acts? Look no further than the Northwell Health Theatre. In the summer, the concert venue hosts performers from around the world. And there is nothing better than hearing and seeing your favorite performer in a beach side setting!
Every Memorial Day, Jones Beach hosts one of the largest airshows in the United States named the Bethpage Air Show. Due to the pandemic, the show was cancelled in 2020 but is expected to return this year. Yay!
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