Keep Trying

Last week, the Southampton Town Board abandoned plans to float a trial beach driving program in East Quogue, following opposition from some community members at a public hearing in April.

The pilot program was intended to allow a time-honored tradition of allowing vehicles to drive onto the beach during the summertime in order to haul coolers and other heavy beach equipment for a day of beach activities. The only other place in Southampton Town where summer beach driving is permitted is the so-called “picnic area” on Meadow Lane in Southampton Village — a last refuge of a tradition that was mostly shut down by beach driving regulations.

Residents near the picnic area have complained that they have to bear the burden of trucks on their beaches, while it’s excluded in other areas. The proposed pilot program was, in part, an effort to quell those complaints by providing a spot west of the canal for those who prefer to drive to their beach setups — thus spreading out the “burden.”

The pilot program, sponsored by Town Board member Cyndi McNamara on behalf of the Town Trustees, called for the opening of the beach at the end of Triton Lane to a 150-foot “parking” area — 75 feet in each direction. There would have been room for about 30 vehicles.

In the end, it was determined that the area would be too close to bathers using the popular Hot Dog Beach nearby and could pose a safety concern. Also, the area is close to where endangered piping plovers nested for the past two years, meaning that if they returned, the driving plan would have to be abandoned anyway.

McNamara said she and the Trustees will revisit the plan in another spot, one that might not pose a safety risk to beach bathers or fledgling plovers.

It’s a good idea, and one that McNamara and the Trustees should be encouraged to pursue. Beach driving isn’t for everyone, but for those people who grew up with the tradition — or heard stories of their families doing so — the town should provide multiple areas where it’s okay and even encouraged.

Everyone, including beach drivers, deserves a place to enjoy the natural wonders this area is known for, and the Town Board should keep trying to find a spot for them that works for everyone.