Update on Sandy Damage to Local NY State Parks

All Long Island State Parks and beaches - including Hempstead Lake State Park - are expected to open by Memorial Day weekend, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Due to Superstorm Sandy, many of the parks suffered extensive damage to roads, landscaping and infrastructure while beaches experienced significant dune and beach erosion including the loss of natural and native vegetation.

Numerous construction and repair projects are on schedule which will allow the parks and beaches to open for the holiday weekend. 

“Despite the vast destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy, all of our State Parks and beaches on Long Island are expected to be open for New Yorkers and visitors by Memorial Day Weekend,” Gov. Cuomo said. “Our parks and beaches are not only popular destinations for vacationers, but they are also important economic drivers for our communities. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that these great assets are in safe and good condition for visitors to enjoy this summer.” 

More than 20 emergency contracts are currently in progress across Long Island on state park land as hundreds of workers are repairing, replanting and restoring the damage left by Sandy in an effort to meet the public’s needs in time for Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kick-off to the summer season.

Below is a status report for Hempstead Lake State Park and Valley Stream State Park, including the work that is being done or has been done, and the expected status for the Memorial Day weekend.

Belmont Lake State Park
Current Status: Tree repair, cleanup, stump grinding and fence repair along the park boundaries are ongoing. Storm debris is being stockpiled in preparation for contractor removal.
Memorial Day Weekend Status: OPEN – Tree work and fence repair will be on going. 

Bethpage State Park
Current Status: All facilities within Bethpage State Park that are scheduled to be open are open. Tree removal is still underway but normally closed facilities this time of year will open as scheduled.
Memorial Day Weekend Status: OPEN – Tree work will be complete.

Hempstead Lake State Park
Current Status: Park lost approximately 400 trees. Parking field #1 has reopened.
One of the buildings suffered minor damage, but it was repaired shortly after the storm.
Memorial Day Weekend Status: OPEN – Tree work will be complete and building was repaired.

Jones Beach State Park
Current Status: Jones Beach State Park suffered significant damage due to Sandy. The storm surge coupled with high tide resulted in major components of the park being submerged in sea water. The famous boardwalk suffered severe damage when the high tide caused the pilings to heave, lifting the boardwalk in many sections resulting in the surface of the boardwalk to be undulating. The piles have been reset with additional piles installed at Central Mall, and the decking is being repaired. Many of the park's electrical vaults were submerged, and work is ongoing to replace and raise these panels to prevent damage from future storms. Power has been restored to the West End, West Bathhouse, and Jones Beach Theater. The work at the Box Office is substantially complete and State Parks will be issuing a Certificate of Occupancy for that structure. It is anticipated that other remaining areas will be back on line shortly as contractors continue with making repairs. The Jones Beach Theater was submerged in at least four feet of water, damaging the VIP boardwalk and tented areas, the orchestra seating, the entire electrical system for the facility. All of the concession related equipment and supplies, offices and the box office were destroyed. The licensee is currently replacing and repairing the facility to ensure that the venue is ready for the 2013 concert season. The Field 10 fishing piers and the boat basin dock were severely damaged as well as the concession operated Bait Station. Tons of debris have been removed from the park. Lifeguard buildings and umbrella stands were destroyed. Contractors have started work on the lifeguard stands at Central Mall and Field 2. The contractor will be deploying more staff to complete all the buildings. Brick walkways, concrete walkways and the east side Field 6 parking lot were severely damaged. A contract has been secured and the repair work has started. The park (fields 2, 6, 10 and West End 2) is currently open to the public. The areas between the West Bathhouse and the East Bathhouse are closed mostly due to boardwalk damage and reconstruction.
Memorial Day Weekend Status: OPEN – The Jones Beach boardwalk will be usable. There will be areas with temporary railing until the material comes in. State Parks was in the final phase of replacing the boardwalk decking on the west side of the park in Fields 1 and 2 prior to the storm. This contract will be ongoing throughout the season.The electrical equipment for the vaults will be replaced. It is anticipated that this work will be complete by Memorial Day weekend; however, if the vaults are not complete, they will operate under generator power.
The repairs to Field #10 fishing piers and the Boat Basin will be on-going. The lifeguard buildings and umbrella stands will be under construction with some complete by Memorial Day weekend. Temporary trailers will be set up in those areas that the new buildings are not complete.

Valley Stream State Park
Current Status: The tree contractor has completed all the tree work with the exception of removing debris from the parking lot. Trails are now open. On the Hendrickson Ave side of the park, there are logs to be removed and more stumps to grind.
Memorial Day Weekend Status: OPEN – There will still be tree debris and uprooted trees in areas of the park.