Beach Fence Installation Robert Moses State Park, May 18th, 2013

Photo’s courtesy of Rich Simmons & Dima Vadalazhski

Yesterday, May 18^th, members of the Long Island Beach Access Group, and the Long Island Windsurfing Group worked at Robert Moses State Park, Field 4.

Under the leadership of Tim Byrne, the Director for Robert Moses State Park, we installed “Dune Fencing” at Field 4. The dune fence is set up in a zigzag pattern, on the ocean side of the existing dune. The goal is to keep sand ON; and people OFF the fragile dunes. The zigzag pattern of the fence holds existing sand, and captures new sand. This will build and add strength to the dune, in an attempt to protect the storm battered beach.

 

We appreciate that Director Byrne took the time to discuss with us how we hope to deal with the many changes we will face this year at Robert Moses State Park.  

 For many of us it was the first time we had been allowed on Fire Island since “Sandy” rolled through last Fall. We are immensely grateful to the NYS Parks Staff, the United State Coast Guard, all the contractors, and Volunteers who are working to get this park open to the public for Memorial Day weekend.

 

 

Again: thank you, George “Chip” Gorman, NYS Parks Long Island Regional Director, David Auguste, Heckscher State Parks Director, and Tim Byrne, Robert Moses State Parks Director, for the opportunity to help.

See you on the Beach!

Love My Park Day

This last weekend [May 4^th, 2013], the Long Island Beach Access Group, LIBAG; teamed up with The Long Island Windsurfers Group,  the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), local Friends groups, and Governor Cuomo, to participate in  Parks & Trails New York’s, Love My Park Day.

This was a statewide event, however; LIBAG & the LI Windsurfers Group concentrated our efforts at Jones Beach State Park Field 2, and Heckscher State Park Field 6.

Some of our many tasks included rebuilding picnic tables, clearing brush and debris, erecting dune fence, planting dune vegetation, screening sand for debris then replacing it on the beaches, cleaning and painting garbage cans, and general beach clean up.

In addition we marked the underwater reefs at field 6 that were discovered during our “Water-walk” back in March. We wish to thank Heckscher State Park Manager David Auguste, for letting us adopt Field 6 while repairs continue at “Joe’s Beach”: Field 7.

We would also like to thank everyone who participated in this event; no matter what park you helped out at.

Next week; May 18^th, we will be working with Park Manager Tim Byrne, at Robert Moses State Park. The work will be a combination of clean-up and putting up erosion fencing. We are excited to help out, and do our part. 

Robert Moses State Park is not scheduled to open until Memorial Day weekend.

Finally, we want to thank George “Chip” Gorman, OPRHP Long Island regional Director for easing surfing restrictions at Robert Moses this season.

Good News for you 4x4ers!!

Good News for you 4x4ers!!  LIBAG, the Long Island Beach Access Group, has been lobbying the NYS Parks for a number of years now; and have gained significant beach access at NYS Parks for parking lot access for windsurfers and SUPs but we just received some exciting news last  evening!

Democrat Point has now officially become a surfing location for legal 4x4 access. No more hiding, running and hoping you don't get kicked off the beach. We've been asked to spread the word to the Surfing community and that's what we are doing.

Please read the PARK USE PERMIT, for 4x4 Beach Vehicle Access for Surfing Only, at  Robert Moses State Park – Democrat Point Only [Above]; and the following note from George Gorman, the Deputy Regional Director(Long Island) of NYS Parks.[Below]

The permits are only being sold at Belmont Park headquarters starting this Monday, May 6th, through Friday, May 17th, for a price of $ 40.00. If you already have the 4x4 Fishing permit, ($ 65.00), you will need this permit in addition to be legally surfing at Demo.

Regional Permit Office Contact Information

625 Belmont Ave

West Babylon, NY 11704

Phone: (631) 669-1000

exit # 37North on SS Parkway

Monday through Friday 9-4

 

If you do not have the 4x4 Fishing Permit, you can buy the Surfing Permit for $ 40.00. Reminder that Demo is the ONLY location (at this time) that will be a legal spot for 4x4 surfing. If you want to go on any other NYS 4x4 Beach, you will need to buy the 4x4 Fishing Permit. The 4x4 Fishing permit now allows you to carry your surfboard in your vehicle, but you are NOT allowed to use it.

We at LIBAG know this all sounds crazy, but that's the way it is. For now, we need your support.

So, please, pass the word, buy your permits, follow the rules, be good citizens, clean up the beach every time you go, even if it isn't your mess, always Air-Down, share the beach and the waters with the surfcasters, communicate with the people on the beach, and agree to share the ocean.

We feel that this is a trial year and we're being watched. It is important that we do the right thing every time we hit the beach. So, let's have fun.

Write back to us with your thoughts and questions. libaginfo@gmail.com

Also, we're waiting for word back from Parks about LIBAG helping out with Robert Moses' new Manager for NYS Parks clean-up on or around the 18th of May. So, please put that date (and maybe the 19th) on your calendar. I'll get back to you as soon as we have a firm date and time and location. 

Today most of us will be working at Heckscher State Park with the LI Windsurfing Group, Dave Auguste, the Director, and Governor Cuomo.

Thanks for listening, and see you at Demo!!

"From: Gorman, George (LI) <George.Gorman@parks.ny.gov>
Date: Fri, May 3, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Subject: PARK USE DEMOCRAT POINT SURFING PERMIT-
To: "libaginfo@gmail.com" <libaginfo@gmail.com>

Attached you will find a copy of the permit that will be available beginning Monday, May 6^th 2013.  As you will note this permit authorizes 4-wheel drive access at Democrat Point within Robert Moses State Park for Surfing.

This permit will continue to be on sale, until May 17^th 2013 from our Regional Headquarters in Babylon (Permit Office).  Please get the word out regarding the availability of this permit.

Thanks,

 

George Gorman, Jr.
Deputy Regional Director
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Telephone number: 631.321.3403
Fax number: 631.422.0173

george.gorman@parks.ny.gov"