Robert Moses and the Creation of Jones Beach State Park

There are few places more identifiable with Long Island than Jones Beach. The 6.5-mile state park, with its white sand beaches and iconic water tower, conjures warm nostalgia for nine decades worth of Long Islanders. Personally, Jones Beach State Park was the first place I met the Atlantic Ocean, and I still have vivid memories of my cousins coming down from Connecticut for a few days each summer to hang out at Field 6 and then get dinner at Borelli’s Pizzeria in East Meadow. While our family would eventually switched to Robert Moses State Park and I personally made the change to Long Beach once I hit high school, I can’t drive down Ocean Parkway without being brought back to those early days taking in deep breaths of salty air from the back of my parent’s minivan.

From Elephants to Frankenstorms: A Brief History of the Long Beach Boardwalk

In terms of iconic Long Island landmarks, the Long Beach boardwalk shares the same hallowed ground as the Montauk Lighthouse or Sagamore Hill. Ever since William Reynolds first orchestrated its construction in 1906-1907, the boardwalk has played a central role in the Long Beach community and served as a destination for New Yorkers looking to spend a nice day at the beach.

Today, the boardwalk remains as integral to the Long Beach economy and way-of-life as ever. It has survived several incarnations, but still draws thousands of people to enjoy its beauty and meet with neighbors.

Here are a few of the key stages of the boardwalk’s history.

#NTVartists: Owls of Long Island Through the Lens of Shane Etter

Shane Etter is one of the most talented bird photographers on Long Island. His patience and keen eye has resulted in breathtaking shots of some of our Island’s most elusive residents and winter visitors, owls. It’s not uncommon for Shane to spend hours in search of his muse - fighting the biting coastal winds of the frigid south shore or navigating the woods in search of these beautiful birds.

Those willing to brave the cold have seen an increase in owl sightings on Long Island over the past few years. For this month’s blog, we are highlighting Shane’s beautiful owl photography from around Long Island and giving some background on his incredible subjects.

For more of Shane’s photography, please follow him on Instagram.

#NTVartists: Daniel Imperial (Photographer)

Daniel Imperial is a rising photographer from Port Jefferson. He excels in a lot of different photography environments from the natural world of Long Island to the urban landscapes of New York City. He was kind enough to answer some questions for us ranging from the craft of photography to some of his favorite places to shoot on Long Island. Here is our interview.

Get To Know: Ospreys

Most Long Island residents that spend anytime on the coasts have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an Osprey. Whether its returning to their nest on Reynolds Channel from a successful hunt out at sea in Long Beach or circling over the Long Island Sound, the seahawk is a majestic sight to behold.

As they prepare to make their way down south for the colder months, here is some history on one of Long Island’s most beloved summer residents.

Long Beach Sand In My Shoes

There’s a saying in Long Beach that goes: “I’ve got Long Beach sand in my shoes”. It’s a way for LB locals to speak to the love they have for their tight-knit community while calling to mind the many memories they create on their city’s beautiful beaches.

As great as our beaches are, kicking back in the sand and surf isn’t the only way to enjoy Long Beach’s expansive coastal habitat. From quiet evenings on the boardwalk to exploring the marshes around Reynold’s channel, there are countless ways to enjoy the outdoors in Long Beach.

Here are a few of them to get you started.