Southampton To Host Public Forum on Ponquogue Beach Ideas

Southampton Town is inviting the public to attend an informational meeting on the future design of the Ponquogue Beach pavilion next Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Hampton Bays Elementary School on Ponquogue Avenue. 

Ponquogue Beach, on Dune Road in Hampton Bays, is one of the busiest town-owned ocean beaches.

The town’s parks department will bring the design consultant, Savik and Murray, to the meeting to review findings from their recent survey and introduce design concepts.

More than 1,300 people participated in the survey conducted late this past summer, and the majority said they weren’t in favor of a full-service restaurant or alcohol sales at the town-owned beach, but they were in favor of increased offerings and more healthy food at the snack bar, and would like to see more outdoor seating.

The pavilion was initially constructed in 1966, and has undergone minor upgrades since, including the replacement of the wood decking with a synthetic surface.

The town is considering installing green features such as solar panels, rain gardens and the collection of rain water for the toilets on the site.  

“There was a good public response to the survey”, said Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “This gives us a starting point and the public input will help the consultant to come up with a design that captures the consensus of the community.”