Northeast - Wantagh Parkway /Jones Beach Bikeway

From my recent phone call to the NY State DOT (this is NOT an official DOT notice!):

The Ellen Farrant / Wantagh Parkway Bikeway, currently closed for construction of a new bridge, is due to be open on or after May 31, 2009 and will remain open until sometime in the Fall of '09, when construction will continue. The DOT warns that the bikeway will be subject to closures, as necessary, throughout the summer.

Thanks. Hear anything about the proposed bikeway from Jones Beach to Robert Moses?

>>>>Hear anything about the proposed bikeway from Jones Beach to Robert Moses?<<<<

I didn't even ask. That project has been dangling for so many years now that I don't even take it seriously anymore. Same with the extension of the Bethpage Bikeway to Syosset.

In a way, I can understand how money has to be redirected to other projects these days. But knowing that they continue to invest money in research, environmental impact studies, etc when there is no intention of actually building anything really irks me.

Yech.

I wish the Wantagh/ Jones Beach bikeway didn't have such horridly narrow bridge crossings (especially with 2-way traffic!); a near collision there due to a crosswind was enough to make me not want to ride that again. Any idea if that is going to be any different?

I grew up in nassau county, and always hated how it was a pain to actually get to the few paths via bike. Best thing I did was move out east. Not that it's paradise here either, but it's workable.

I run from Cedar Creek Park to Jones Beach and back about once a week during the summer. Nothing beats a girl on roller blades in a bikini top and cover up shorts zipping down the bike path.

I have never considered biking because that would shorten the fun time way too much.

Yech.

I wish the Wantagh/ Jones Beach bikeway didn't have such horridly narrow bridge crossings (especially with 2-way traffic!); a near collision there due to a crosswind was enough to make me not want to ride that again. Any idea if that is going to be any different?


You're supposed to walk the bike across the bridge. I don't walk them either, except when I'm riding with my kids, but don't complain if you don't follow the safety signage.

>>>I wish the Wantagh/ Jones Beach bikeway didn't have such horridly narrow bridge crossings... Any idea if that is going to be any different?<<<<

You probably rode it during the multi-year period in which the third bridge project was held up by the contractor's breach of contract. For several seasons, there was a temporary bridge in place and it only allowed about six feet for two lanes of cycling traffic. That bridge should be gone and a new one in its place by the time the path opens this year. I would give it another shot at that time. Otherwise, you're missing one of Long Island's best cycling experiences! (cont'd below)

>>>Best thing I did was move out east. Not that it's paradise here either, but it's workable.<<<<

How fare east are you? Have you done the Cross-The-Forks route from Greenport to Sag Harbor and/or The Hamptons?

>>>I run from Cedar Creek Park to Jones Beach and back about once a week during the summer. Nothing beats a girl on roller blades in a bikini top and cover up shorts zipping down the bike path.<<<<

Please forgive me if this offends any of the women out there, but now that you brought it up, I'm reminded that my friends and I used to call a ride on this bikeway "A Roll Down Mammary Lane."

The bike path is opened up to Jones Beach now.

>>>>The bike path is opened up to Jones Beach now.<<<<<

Awesome. I guess it will be open for the air show this weekend (May 23-24), then.

Let the season begin!

PS: How is the incline on the new bridge? It appeared that it was going to be a little steeper than the previous one.

Thank You for posting an update. I was going to check it out during my lunch hour on Wed. As of last Tuesday they were still working on it.

Now if the sun would stay out a nice long stretch, life would be even better :)

Where's the best place to park my truck to ride this? I've got a hitch carrier for my 2 boys and myself.

Where's the best place to park my truck to ride this? I've got a hitch carrier for my 2 boys and myself.

Cedar Creek Park

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Cedar+Creek+Park,+Wantagh,+Nassau,+New+York+11793&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.953203,67.851563&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FS5_bAIdoFye-w&split=0&z=16&iwloc=A

Yea cedar creek park has a pretty big lot to park your car and unload. I just ride from my house to cedar creek since I am fairly close.

We should get a group ride there.

>>>>Where's the best place to park my truck to ride this?<<<<

Cedar Creek Park, for sure. But if it's jammed up, you might be able to find some parking on Merrick Road or on one of the side streets that flank the park!

If you're up for a longer ride, you may want to park at Bethpage State Park and follow the route on my web site at http://www.geocities.com/NYRides/long_island.htm . This will take you through part of Bethpage State Park (site of the 2009 Open), along the Bethpage State Parkway, through the Massapequa Preserve, through a quiet Wantagh neighborhood (to avoid traffic on Merrick Road) and onto Cedar Creek. A quick guesstimate is that the trip would be about 15 miles out and 15 miles back. Make sure your sons can handle a ride that long.

Another option is to take the LIRR to the Wantagh station and ride Wantagh Avenue to Merrick Road. Make a left on Merrick and look for the park entrance on your right, about a mile up. (Note: Do not confuse Cedar Creek Park with nearby Wantagh Park!).

If you have any specific questions, fire away. I check this discussion board at least once a day.

Thanks. Hear anything about the proposed bikeway from Jones Beach to Robert Moses?

Anybody know? I've been asked in a PM about this. Also, any plans to connect to Long Beach?

I haven't heard a peep about this since the meeting at the beach last summer. I don't think anybody wants to fight the residents down there.

Meanwhile, I got a letter from the DOT a few days ago announcing that the Bethpage Bikeway extension to Syosset is back on. However, after speaking to the project coordinator on the phone for about half-an-hour, I learned that the bikeway extension basically amounts to some "Share The Road" signs along some of the most dangerous roads in Woodbury and Syosset.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to ride out to the air show this weekend. If anybody does this ride, please get back to me regarding the condition of the bikeway, the particulars of the new bridge, and whether you had a good view of the air show from the bike path.

Thanks, and enjoy the weekend!

The narrow chainlink fence bridge section has been replaced with a wider section. Parts of the other bridge still need to slow when traffic on the opposite side. Not great but better.

The MUP is all done, as best I can tell. I ran the full length on Monday (5/25) afternoon. Going South (for reference) the first and second bridges are just as they have always been. The third bridge has been moved over about 60 feet. The MUP narrows and jogs as you go onto the bridge, then it widens to about twice the width of the regular path. Nice and smooth, no grates or dips.

No lines yet, and the "2 miles" marker (going North) is gone, but otherwise it is in pretty good shape. No grass yet, so the dirt was blowing around pretty bad. Minor problem.

Only took 6 years :(

>>>>Only took 6 years<<<<

Now wouldn't it be awesome if:

1. they added a refreshment stand at the southern end of the bikeway, and
2. they painted a four or five-foot shoulder around the theater parking lot and let us ride all the way to the central mall? Hell, there are bike racks there and there's no legal way to ride to them!

The MUP is all done, as best I can tell. I ran the full length on Monday (5/25) afternoon. Going South (for reference) the first and second bridges are just as they have always been. The third bridge has been moved over about 60 feet. The MUP narrows and jogs as you go onto the bridge, then it widens to about twice the width of the regular path. Nice and smooth, no grates or dips.

No lines yet, and the "2 miles" marker (going North) is gone, but otherwise it is in pretty good shape. No grass yet, so the dirt was blowing around pretty bad. Minor problem.

Only took 6 years :(

yea i have been doing the mup every now and then for recovery and slow paced rides since it has been packed lately but i got some pics with my camera phone if anyone is interested that shows what you are talking about. These are going north.

In between these two pictures is a stupid fence that narrows the path to about half the size.

start of the bridge
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/JonesBeach1.jpg?t=1244391287

On the bridge
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii141/Jynx0406/JonesBeach2.jpg?t=1244391338