SENATOR FUSCHILLO & ASSEMBLYMAN McDONOUGH JOIN STATE PARKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS IN ANNOUNCING IMPROVED BIKE ACCESS TO JONES BEACH

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick, pictured right) and Assemblyman David McDonough (R-North Merrick, pictured left) today joined with New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald and New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey in announcing a project that will improve bike access to Jones Beach.

     The project will provide a critical .7 mile connection between the end of the current 7.5 mile Wantagh Parkway Bike Path and the East Bath House at Jones Beach. The extension will be constructed through the Jones Beach Theater parking area to the pedestrian underpass, where new storage will be provided for 100 bicycles. This will greatly improve beach access for cyclists, who must currently park their bikes at the end of the existing path and then walk nearly a mile to get to the beach.

     "Many residents from all across Long Island ride, run, and walk on the Wantagh Parkway Bike Path every single day. This project will give them greater access to Jones Beach, which is the crown jewel of the state parks system, and provide a critical link to the planned Ocean Parkway Bike Path. I’m pleased New York State is making this investment to improve the bike path for all who use it,” said Senator Fuschillo.

     “I am pleased that the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation come together to extend the bikepath at beautiful Jones Beach which will have numerous benefits to our residents by increasing mobility and accessibility through Jones Beach Park by bicycle and increasing the health benefits of bicycling,” said Assemblyman McDonough.

     According to the DOT, the project is scheduled to begin this fall with construction expected to be completed next spring.