Suffolk Officials Extend Beach Season At Smith Point County Park

SHIRLEY, NY — Labor Day will not signal the end of summer at Smith Point County Park this year.

Suffolk officials have extended the summer season by staffing the beach with lifeguards, who usually haul in their watch towers on Labor Day, weekends through Sept. 18 "to ensure the safety of beachgoers."

Lifeguards will remain on the stands from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, Sunday, Sept. 11, Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18 at Smith Point County Park.

Campgrounds, parks, and outer beaches will continue to welcome campers and park goers beyond the holiday weekend also, officials said.

Over 300,000 people visited Smith Point this year, according to county officials.

It's the third year in a row that Suffolk officials have extended the beach season at the park.

The past two years have had an increase in shark sightings, prompting the closure of the beach, and this year, a lifeguard was bitten at the park.

Bellone said that "while Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer, in Suffolk summer is not over, and the joy that summer brings will continue to brighten our days."

“Lifeguards will remain on the stands for an additional two weekends, and I encourage all residents to take advantage of our world-class beaches while the warm weather is still with us,” he added.

Parks Commissioner Jason Smagin said that keeping county residents safe while they use the beaches "has always been a priority" and officials are "happy to extend the Smith Point beach season this year."