Jones Beach's 90th Anniversary Is Cause For Celebration

In celebration of the 90th anniversary of Jones Beach, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that more than $100 million has been invested in revitalizing areas of the park and constructing new attractions to keep it relevant in the 21st century.

The new WildPlay at Jones Beach just opened — an outdoor adventure space — includes ziplines, aerial adventure courses and a 40-foot drop jump. And to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the park, there will be a special event in August, with parking rates dropped to their 1929 levels.

"Jones Beach is not just a park, it is a public monument that will change peoples' lives," Cuomo said. "The significant investments in Jones Beach State Park represent New York's commitment to providing the very best recreation and tourism opportunities for both residents and visitors alike across the state. I encourage everyone to visit Jones Beach this summer and experience one of the state's premier destinations for themselves."

The newest addition to Jones Beach is the WildPlay at Jones Beach State Park attraction, which will feature four side-by-side ziplines from a platform high above the Jones Beach coast so that individuals can ride alongside family and friends for a scenic 700-foot journey. The Adventure Course requires patrons to navigate through a series of obstacles to test balance, strength and coordination. Visitors can select from the classic course, the extreme course — with the highest obstacle and ziplines at 50-feet — and the kid's course. The "What's to Fear Jump" involves climbing up a rope ladder onto a wooden platform after being securely tethered to a jump line for a 40-foot jump. For more information on pricing and to reserve a spot, click here.

Cuomo said there are also festivities planned throughout the summer to celebrate the anniversary. The first is the annual Sterling National Bank July 4th fireworks show. You can find more info about that here.

A month later, on Sunday, Aug. 4, Jones Beach will celebrate the 90th anniversary of its official opening, when Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park. The parking fee will be reduced from the current fee of $10 to 50 cents per car — which was the fee when Jones Beach opened in 1929. The park will offer a large birthday cake, distribute 9,990 cupcakes, and host a series of performances and historical commemorations.

The state is continue to improve the park, and just recently completed work on the $3.9 million entrance to the beach. The abandoned toll plaza on the Meadowbrook Parkway was demolished and a new sign welcoming visitors to Jones Beach was installed.

The project eliminated the derelict structures at the park gateway and helped improve traffic flow. It also includes new traffic pavement markings, signage, storm water drainage improvements, site restoration and a realigned entrance onto the Loop Parkway

There are also a spate of new projects currently underway, or scheduled, to be completed in 2020:

• $4.2 million renovation of the West Games Area, featuring a new mini-golf course, refurbished court games such as pickleball and shuffleboard, new benches, tables, fencing and lighting and additional site improvements.
• $2.4 million in landscape and horticulture improvements at the West Bathhouse, Central Mall and East Games to renew lawn areas and planting beds, plant new shrubs, ornamental grasses and seasonal access plants, and install new irrigation and electrical system.
• $1.2 million renovation of the Central Mall, including new curbs, bluestone and concrete pavements, refurbished access ramps, and new and rehabilitated utilities.
• $25 million Energy and Nature Center that will open in 2020, including an interactive facility to encourage visitors to become good stewards of the environment and smart energy consumers.