East Beach

East Beach was created soon after the park opened in the early 1930’s. Unlike the utilitarian Overlook and West Beach, this one was special from the start. It was laid out on the east-facing side of the park and built to be expanded as needs grew. It was to be the Jewel of the Park. Indeed it gained the moniker “Rivera of the South Shore”.  

It featured a refreshment and changing building with a Terra-Cotta roof, arches and a distinctly European flavor. A broad, tiled esplanade ran the length of the building and also down to the water’s edge. Tables with multi- colored umbrellas on the Esplanade encouraged relaxing and passing the time in the summer sun.  

Photo: East Beach. Courtesy of East Islip Historical Society