Address
Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park 11764
Phone Number
631 269-4333
Date Visited
10/31/21
Website
Sunken Meadow State Park, Beach & Boardwalk
Description
Sunken Meadow State Park has several large, paved parking lots with many designated handicapped spaces. At the main entrance, you will find a brick walkway from the parking lot to the ramp leading to the breezeway, which opens onto the smooth, wooden boardwalk beyond. The walk from Parking Lot 3 to the boardwalk and beach is shorter than the walk from Lot 1. Handicapped-accessible restrooms are located in the breezeway at the main entrance and at the snack pavilion near parking lot 3.There are two snack bars on the boardwalk. One is at the main entrance . The other is at the end at parking field 3. They close for the season after 10/31.
Stone benches (backless), as well as wooden benches with backs, are located along the 3/4 mile boardwalk.
Wooden ramps, as well as steps, allow access to the beach. "In season," there are mobi-mats at the main entrance, at the beach at Parking Lot 3 and one at the other end of the boardwalk near the catering pavilion. The mobi-mat at Beach 3 does not get as close to the water as the one at the main entrance. Wooden ramps from some of the picnic areas allow direct access to the boardwalk. An inclusive playground is located to the right of the main entrance. The park has paths, picnic areas, trails, the Nissequogue River, golf courses and playgrounds.
- Attraction Type: park, kid-friendly
Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: short
Transportation to venue offered: na
Terrain: flat
Places to rest: benches
Paths and walkways: concrete, brick, wood
Doors: 0
Number of floors: na
Elevators: na
Ramps: leading down to beach at some locations
Steps and staircases: leading down to beach
Width of aisles: boardwalk is wide
Places to sit: a combination of stone benches (no backs) and wooden benches (with backs) on boardwalk
Location of restrooms: at main entrance and in concession builidng (at East End)
Type of restroom: multi-stall, with handicapped accessible stall and wheelchair-accessible sinks
Ease of entry and exit: easy
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: two snack concession buildings - one at main entrance, one at east end of boardwalk
Friendliness of staff: friendly
Notes: Parking fields 1 and 2 are at main entrance.Parking field 3 (at east end) has very close access to the boardwalk.Main area and Beach 3 have mobi-mats to get closer to the water. The mat at Beach 3 does not go as far as the main one.A beach wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask at Park Office.
The Sunken Meadow Boardwalk is one of our favorite places. Our first visit here was about eight years ago, when I was the one in a wheelchair. We also came here often when my husband was in a wheelchair two years ago. In spite of the wheelchair situations, we have a good feeling about this lovely, peaceful place to walk, sit, look at the water and just relax. Today, being a lovely Halloween, we came in the afternoon to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful views. It was so clear today that we could easily see Bridgeport across the Sound.
Last year Covid measures were in place. This season has been much freer, with restrictions lifted. Warnings are still there to remind us to be careful!
As usual we parked in Parking Lot #1 (one of the two, paved lots near the main entrance). The entire first row, closest to the main entrance, is for accessible permits. There is a brick walkway from the lot to the ramp at the “entrance.” Concrete ramps lead through the breezeway to the wooden boardwalk beyond. Accessible restrooms, with a large, accessible-stall and wheelchair-accessible sinks, are located just beyond the breezeway. Each time I walk through the breezeway and up the ramp, I am mesmerized by the beach and magnificent view of Long Island Sound that comes into view. The wide boardwalk has smooth wooden planks, There are a good number of benches on the boardwalk -some with backs, some backless. One of the two snack bars on the boardwalk is located here. The other one is at the east end. We were happy to find the snack bar at the east end still open, but disappointed to discover that next weekend will be the last for this season.
Ramps in several locations lead down to the beach. “In season,” the park has three mobi-mats, one of which is located here at the main entrance. These mats help strollers, wheelchairs and everyone, get closer to the water without having to trudge through the sand. The park has one beach-wheelchair, available on a “first-come, first-served” basis. One can stop into the Park office to ask about borrowing it. Two of the mobi mats were here today. We do not know if they will be removed anytime soon.
There are several wooden ramps from some of the picnic areas that lead directly to the boardwalk. Several groups were taking advantage of the lovely day and barbecuing . It smelled so good we wished someone would invite us to join them! Alas, no one did, so we continued our walk to the east end, The boardwalk is 3/4’s of a mile from end to end. We made our way east to the other snack bar. The restrooms in the buildings are open. If we remember correctly, they remain open all year. In the past we have seen a mobi-mat at this beach entrance, although it did not get as close to the water as the main one. If you park in Parking Lot 3 ( 36 handicapped spaces) you are much closer to the boardwalk and beach than you are at the Main Entrance.
There are many paths, picnic areas, trails, the Nissequogue River, golf courses and playgrounds here. Field 4 (not near the beach) has a playground,snack bar and restrooms (we do not believe any are open at this time). An inclusive playground is located just to the left of the main entrance (see Sunken Meadow Inclusive Playground for details.)
We find Sunken Meadow Park Beach and Boardwalk always lovely – we think of it as a serene, mini Jones Beach! We always enjoy our time here – today was no different.
The park’s website explains that “to the extent practical…this facility meets the Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility standards. It is strongly recommended that you contact the facility in advance for a full description of what you can expect.” (website) We at Destination:Accessible couldn’t agree more. At Destination:Accessible we always advise one to visit a venue’s website, www.parks,ny.gov, when planning a visit to “know before you go.”
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