The Beach belongs to everyone

We want Long Island to be a place where this, and the next generation can surf, windsurf, sail, swim, sunbathe, fish, kayak or just soak in Long Island's Natural Beauty.

Long Island is losing its waterfront and wet lands to private homes at an alarming pace. Beach Access is disappearing right along with it. In addition, many NYS laws concerning Beach Access are archaic at best.

It is not LIBAG's intent to take away any existing rights of NYS Beach users. Only to add to them.

We are fortunate, to be working with the Long Island Regional State Parks Commission towards solutions that would allow all beach user groups equal access to all NYS Parks Beaches, with out excluding or taking away any access rights from any user groups.

The Long Island Beach Access Group is most commonly known for its four core programs;

1- The Beach Access program whose research and advocacy programs support the maintenance and expansion of access to those remote beach locations on Long Island for all users.

2- Also, our Beach Preservation program works to sponsor, participate and encourage those activities that ensure the healthy maintenance of our beaches and barrier islands, such as beach grass plantings.

3- Our Beach Clean-up program works to sponsor, participate and encourage continual beach clean-ups in conjunction with the America Littoral Society. This includes the adoption of Gilgo Beach.

4- But also, Long Island Beach Access Group is known for our Beach Actions program which seeks to encourage and reward proper behavior when enjoying the beaches. This includes following the official rules and regulations of each of the beaches and areas that provide access to those beaches, promoting the “Carry in, Carry out more” philosophy, and in a more informal fashion, instructing people on safe enjoyment of our natural resources.


Remember: it is not LIBAG's intent to take away any existing rights of NYS Beach users. Only to add to them.

LIBAG is honored to work with New York State Park officials, as we continue to connect the Parks to the People.


We look forward to our continued work with New York State officials in order to implement solutions that encourage more diverse use of NYS’s Beaches.


CONTACT US email me libaginfo@gmail.com


Sunday, May 19, 2013

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


Photo’s courtesy of Rich Simmons & Dima Vadalazhski


Yesterday, May 18th, 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!





Sunday, May 12, 2013

Love My Park Day




This last weekend [May 4th, 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 18th, 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.







Saturday, May 4, 2013

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 6th 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 17th 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