carrington tract by Rich O’Boyle
Between the two queer communities of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove is a rugged but well-traveled stretch of wild dunes and scrub called the Carrington Tract. It’s also referred to as The Judy Garland Memorial Park, or more popularly, The Meat Rack. Most visitors and regulars of Fire Island know of this notorious area for it’s twisting rambles where men on the prowl have been known to cruise. It was a hot spot for pickup sex long before the age of Grindr. Back in the 70s and 80s, Cherry Grove was the hotspot for nightlife, and traveling through the Meat Rack was the avenue to get there and back from the Pines. Many found discreet adventure out of the public eye when being openly gay wasn’t so easy. Near the entry to the tract at the far western end of the Pines, stands a shuttered building, the ghost of what used to be The Carrington House. The grounds are littered with broken glass and access is restricted. One of the house’s more famous residents was Truman Capote, who wrote “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” while summering there. 16
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