The real "Fire Island" National Seashore
Written: Oct 02 '02 (Updated Dec 06 '05)
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Pros: a diverse area with much for kids and adults to appreciate
Cons: not easy to get to all of it
The Bottom Line: Fire Island seashore is a diverse playground with much to see and learn about.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Fire Island National Seashore |
Yesterday the day, before my birthday, my wife took off from her job and we took a ride to Fire Island. We don't do these things on our birthdays because that's when we get together with family.
We live just twenty minutes away but once you are there it's like you are on the other side of the world. It's sometimes hard to realize that this wonderful place with so much history and nature is less than fifty miles from New York City.
SOME FACTS
Now, please bear with me. There is some dry and sometimes confusing detail to explain. The Fire Island National Seashore consists of an island that is about thirty two miles long and less than half a mile from ocean to bay at it's widest. Most is much more narrow and always in trouble of being breached in winter storms and hurricanes. The island has Smith Point County park on the east end a Robert Moses State Park on the west end and a series of small towns, a lighthouse, marinas,and world class beaches in between. Jones beach is NOT on Fire Island as I have read elsewhere. It also includes the only wilderness area in all of New York!
It is a barrier beach that protects the bays and the mainland of Long Island. It is attached to Long Island by two bridges. One bridge enters the county park on the east and the other the state park on the west. You have to pay a parking fee of five dollars during the summer and on fall and spring weekends after crossing the bridge.
Another way of getting to it is by ferry. The ferries run daily from three different points on Long Island, Bayshore, Sayville, and Blue Point.
It does take a bit of time to describe the Fire Island National Seashore because it is actually divided into sections. Except for the State park on the west, the F.I.N.S.contains the rest of the island within it's bounds. There are private towns and villages within these boundaries.
There are three different Visitors centers. The Fire Island Light House, Sailors Haven, and Watch Hill. To complicate things a bit further it also includes the William Floyd Estate that is on Long Island on the bay across from Fire Island.
WHAT IS THERE
Briefly, the William Floyd Estate consists of the Floyd home, twelve outbuildings, and a cemetery. There you can take self guided tours. William Floyd was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence who made his home on Long Island.
Watch Hill has a 188 slip marina, visitors center,self guided nature trails, and group camping. This is the area that has the Otis Pike Wilderness area. There is much to learn about it and if you are willing to walk you will find some of the most glorious beaches and solitude in the New York area. This is a seven mile stretch of pristine beach.
Sailors Haven has 42 slips, a forest exhibit, and the really cool Sunken Forest. This is an area like no other place in the world that is on a barrier beach yet it is below sea level. The self guided walk is very interesting. There are naturalist and ranger walks also. You have to reserve a spot for them. They are very popular in the summer.
To see all fire Island has to offer you need at least three very full days. Besides the National seashore you have so many quaint towns to visit a very diverse selection. Some are perfect for families, these are mostly the ones with the park system. Some are better suited for couples with their romantic restaurants and hot nightlife. Another community, Cherry Grove, caters to the gay community. Ocean Beach is a town that would give you a summons if you ate an ice cream cone outside of the shop that sells it. That was challenged in the courts. "The things we have to pay for as tax payers" I don't know the final outcome. I'll let you know when I find out. On many of the beaches you will see nude sunbathing.
THE LIGHT HOUSE WALK
Today we went to the Fire Island Lighthouse area. The best way of getting to this place is by driving to Robert Moses State Park and going to field five. Park your car and start walking east. No charge for parking this time of year. It's really not far to the lighthouse. Take the boardwalk as it loops in and out of the sand dunes. It is a very easy and beautiful walk. Today because so few people were around we also found it quite romantic. We had packed a backpack lunch with us.
As you start the walk you will see some interpretive signs. They are seen every hundred feet or so. The total walk is less than half a mile to the end. Reading these signs you will learn of the wildlife there. You will probably see white tailed deer. We saw about half a dozen of them including a beautiful buck! Hard to find red fox are also there along with raccoon and squirrels. Birds are known to use this area as a resting spot on there migrations north and south. About halfway down the path you will see a high observation stand and generally see "birders" with their binoculars pointing and looking here and there at herons, egrets, piping plover, osprey, and many migratory birds.
We have seen monarch butterflies by the hundreds pass through here on there way south for the winter. Yes, that's right, butterflies going south for the winter! It is amazing how they do it.
Carolyn and I strolled along reading signs and learning about the dunes, the flora and the fauna, and eco systems of the barrier beach. It was very relaxed. As you near the lighthouse there are many picture opportunities. It really is a grand looking building. It takes 182 steps to make it to the top and see the commanding views. The light can be seen twenty four miles away. The tower has a rounded body with black and white stripes. In front of it is the Keepers Quarters/Visitors center all in gray stone with a red roof. It is all quite striking.
Today my wife was making plans for taking some of her art students to go there on a field trip. Reservations must be made for tours in the Lighthouse. The Park also offers other wonderful walks and talks. The current calender has "Ghost Stories and Legends of Fire island" a "Lantern Light Tour" another is "Sun Set-Moonrise Tower Tour" and more.
FUND RAISERS
While in the visitors center I was looking at pictures of their "Black Tie and Barefoot" fund raiser last month. Yup, that's what they were wearing. Well they were wearing more than just a black tie. I think you knew what I meant. This affair and other fund raisers are done by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society. They do much work to help in getting funds available for the restoration of the lighthouse and area. This is a unique situation here. The society actually signed an agreement with the National Park service to take over the operation and upkeep of the lighthouse and visitors center. They want to increase visitor services and school programs. These are hardworking and good people. Carolyn and I hope to join them barefoot on the beach next year.
WHY IS IT CALLED FIRE ISLAND
There is debate as to how the name of Fire Island came to be. One thought is it was simple a spelling error. You see there were four or five inlets through this area way back in the 17 and 1800's. The Dutch word vier means four. They think these words may have been misspelled on early maps. Another folklore tells us that land based pirates or wreckers as they were known, would light fires to attract merchant ships onto shore. One other thought was that the island, that is loaded with poison ivy, got the name from the autumn colored red leaves of the plant or perhaps it's fiery itch. Whatever the origin we will probable never know.
Near the base of the lighthouse you can find the foundation of the old lighthouse that is now long gone. There is a stone walk all around the base of the new Lighthouse, well new in 1858. It has some benches and is open and airy. It really is beautiful. I know I am repeating myself but it really is!
This site is handicap accessible, except maybe for the one hundred eighty two step climb to the top. There is a four dollar charge for the tour to the top of the lighthouse. You can drive a car to the lighthouse with a permit, and there is a wheelchair ramp to the boardwalk.
Just a reminder this is a National Historic sight so I did bring my National Park Passport and did have the stamp canceled. This place also has an ink stamp of the Lighthouse itself so that was an added pleasure of mine putting that in the book! I collect patches from different National parks and Historic sights so that was another birthday present for me. It doesn't take much to make this man happy. Just give me a sunny afternoon walking in a park with my wife and getting my passport canceled. For more information on Collecting Parks with your passbook just click on my name and follow to "Passport to your National Parks all you may want to know". I still can't figure out how else to find it. The review seems to be in limbo land. If anyone does have a suggestion please leave me a comment. Thanks.
The Passport System is a wonderful way to gain enthusiasm and learn about our parks and historic sights for kids of all ages. The kids can also get involved with the Junior Ranger Program right here at Fire Island or at other National Parks and Sites.
VISITORS CENTER
Inside the visitors center, that really isn't that big, you can see a film on a small tv. It tells some of the history of the island and the men who helped save people and goods when they were shipwrecked off the coast. Just pull up a folding chair and enjoy. There is also a small museum that shows pictures and tools of days long gone. There are restrooms here, a gift shop, and a soda machine. During the summer months they have live demonstrations showing how they would shoot a line out to a sinking ship by using a cannon just outside in the front of the buildings.
After visiting the lighthouse we spent a few hours on this world class beach having our picnic lunch, catching some rays, reading books, and enjoying a couple of rum and cokes. Please don't let them know what we did, alcohol is not allowed in national parks. Maybe it was just rum flavored. Yes, that's it, rum flavored.
We had a wonderful afternoon learning about nature, the history of the lighthouse, and soaking in sun on a gorgeous beach. The best part is that it was all free.
Fire Island National Seashore
120Laurel St.
Patchogue, NY
111772-3596
631-289-4810
www.nps.gov/fiis
Long Island reviews by Popsrocks
Long Island So much to so many
Freeport's Nautical Mile A great destination with dozens of fine restaurants.
Nautical Mile Restaurants and Attractions
Cafe by the Sea Good menu and great desserts. Fun entertainment too!
RACHEL'S Waterside Grill Fine Fare on Freeport's Nautical Mile
Otto's Sea Grill On the Nautical Mile. Right on the water.
Ralph's Italian Ices a favorite on the canal.
The South Street Seaport @ Freeport a simple and very informative maritime museum.
This list will be growing in the next few months. Be sure to keep checking back.
Other Long Island Restaurants
Romano's MACARONI GRILL
TGI Friday's
OUTBACK Restaurant
Cheesecake Factory
Red Lobster
Cozymel's
Wendy's
The White Castle
KFC
Cold Stone Creamery
Long Island State Parks and places of Interest
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Old Bethpage Village Restoration Go Back to the 1800s
Sagamore Hill Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Sagamore Hill Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Places to stay on Long Island
Wyndham Watch, LI Fine hotel, poor service
Marriott Hotel LI Great Location
Sheraton Hotel,LI Recommended
An Excellent book about Long Island Destinations
Discover Long Island: Exploring The Great Places From Sea To Sound
The greatest city in the world!!
New York City and so much more
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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