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Liberty Lighthouse
Liberty Lighthouse welcomes you to Oceanside
For almost 15 years now, “a beacon of hope for the past, present and future of Oceanside” stands at the intersection of Long Beach Road, Davison Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, known as the Liberty Lighthouse.
Prior to 2007, a police booth stood at the site, called the “Veterans Triangle,” but after safety concerns forced it to move down the block, the community pondered what to put in its place.
“We decided we wanted to have some type of lighthouse in the triangle,” Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Member Maria Heller said. “Between myself and fellow Chamber members Bob and Cathy Towers and Steve Kass, we arranged to have the 25-foot decorative lighthouse installed there and we dedicated it to the residents of Oceanside, the Town of Hempstead, veterans and 9/11 victims.”
And why a lighthouse, you may ask.
She added that much like how an actual lighthouse at sea guides lost sailors to safer waters, the Liberty Lighthouse acts as a symbol of the welcoming nature of the Oceanside community, centrally located at midpoint of town. — Jake Pellegrino
Masone Beach: A playful yet eventful 'gem' of Island Park
Just a short drive off Austin Boulevard on Waterford Road sits the “gem” of Island Park village — Masone Beach. It's a spot that can be described as small, quaint and serene, yet lively with activity.
“It’s our own bay beach,”Trustee Barbara Volpe-Reid said. “Children enjoy the arts and crafts program and this year again we're having the sip and paint program and game nights and activities all summer. We have the Island Park School District come here for their recreation program and enjoy the beach Monday through Friday. We also have concerts throughout the summer; we just had a Captain Jack (Billy Joel tribute) concert and we're having more all summer.”
She went to describe the beach’s peaceful atmosphere.
“A lot of people come for a concert and say, ‘I didn’t even know this little beach existed’ and they just love it and then they come back to buy beach passes. It’s a very different type of beach, it really is. People love the beautiful sunsets and sunrises and they enjoy yoga on the beach; its a place where they can go to relax and it’s not an ocean, so parents know their kids are safe.”
— Jake Pellegrino
Photos by: Tim Baker/Herald Top photo: Young beachgoers take a dive off Masone Beach’s docks Middle photo: Masone Beach is known as a summertime oasis in Island Park Bottom photo: Kayakers enjoy the calm waters of Masone Beach on a summer day
