Westchester's Most Popular Stretch Of Beach 'Locals Only' For Holiday

Editor's note: Standard Amusements runs Playland Park, including its beach. Their responsibility for its operation was unclear in the sub-headline.

RYE, NY — If your Independence Day plans involve a trip to what is billed as Westchester County's most visited stretch of beach, prepare to be disappointed.

On Thursday, Playland Park announced that Playland Beach will remain closed over the holiday weekend due to renovations.

At its meeting last month, the Rye Town Park Commission passed a resolution to put in place restricted access to Rye Town Park/Oakland Beach for the entire July 4 holiday weekend to avoid overcrowding.

Rye Town Beach will be open for the sole use of residents of Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye City and Rye Neck and permit holders during the 4th of July weekend. From Saturday, July 2 - Monday, July 4, proof of residency will be required for all beach visits.

While resolutions like this are common in advance of big holiday weekends, this year, the county-owned stretch of the beach is closed, leaving most county residents without their regular Long Island Sound beach to put up their beach umbrellas on.

With Playland Beach closed for renovations, of Westchester's 36 miles of seashore, only the beach at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle will be open to the general public. It has a capacity of 1,765 sunbathers.

Westchester County Government posted on their Facebook page that "Standard Amusements runs Playland and Beach — not the Westchester County Government."

The amended agreement with Standard Amusements, approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, reserves a number of privileges and responsibilities for Westchester County. In theory, the amended agreement guarantees public access to the Playland boardwalk and other facilities used by county residents.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer has gone to court in the past to protect constituents' access to the county-owned stretch of shoreline between Rye Town Beach and the Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

SEE ALSO:

• Rye Playland Is Back Again With Historic Rides Restored
• Westchester Okays Amended Playland Deal With Standard Amusements
• Surprises In New LI Sound Beach Grades Released By Environmental Group

The good news is that Playland Park will be open from noon - 11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with fireworks shows the entire weekend at 9:15 p.m.

Beginning Tuesday, the day after Independence Day, Glen Island Beach fees will be waived Monday through Thursday until Sept. 1. Weekday fees will also be waived at county-owned swimming pools.

Although the Croton Point Beach doesn't come with a sea breeze, the Westchester County beach will also be open to all on the 4th.

SEE ALSO: Westchester Waives Beach Fees To Help Ease Cost Of Inflation

Of course, it's not too late to get a non-resident permit to allow access to Rye Town Beach for $412 per person or $535 for a family here.