Watch The Sunset At Smith Point County Park, A Unique South-Facing Beach In New York
By Carolyn Harmon|Published May 30, 2022
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Carolyn Harmon
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Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
Head out to Smith Point County Park on the Fire Island barrier beach in Shirley, New York. Begin the day with the sun’s glorious light, as it rises over the horizon, flickering diamonds of gold into the sea. Here, the swimming is great at this unique south-facing beach, offering epic waves for body surfing in the clean saltwater. Pack a picnic for the beach, buy concessions, or grill out your hamburgers and hot dogs. Take a walk, relax, and enjoy the seating on a large deck overlooking the ocean.
The restaurant is a step-up from the typical concession stand, offering a wide array of fresh seafood, tropical drinks and live music from 5 p.m. to dusk, every day.
Among others sea birds, you will see the piping plover, a federally listed threatened and endangered bird species known to nest within Fire Island National Seashore.
Fire Island National Seashore's annual piping plover monitoring and protection program begins in March and goes through Labor Day. Pay attention to certain restrictions during this time including kites, driving, and pets on portions of ocean beaches marked with symbolic string fencing.
As the day ends, head out to the pier, reaching out 95 feet into Narrow Bay. Cast a line and hope for the best in this prime spot for stripers, flounder, blues, fluke, and porgies. And in case you forgot what you came for...
Another reason folks come to visit the park is to see the TWA Flight 800 Memorial standing at the entranceway to Smith’s Point Beach. It memorializes the 230 people who died on July 17, 1996, just 12 minutes after takeoff.
The park was the chosen place for the memorial because it is close to where the crash occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, and the public area brings in thousands of visitors a year, even in the winter. The Memorial is protected by concrete barriers and stands slightly elevated above the rest of the beach.
When you visit Smith Point County Park, you will find the parking is very convenient, and a short tunnel under the highway takes you to the beach. Take a camera and fill up a jar with the shells and sea glass you find as souvenirs. And don’t stop there. Try out another state park with a beach on Fire Island.
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