Dogs on the Beach

My first adventures lazing around Hampton’s beaches date back to the ’70s in Montauk and they were remarkable. Still etched in my memory are dogs running on the ocean beaches, swimming in the surf and rolling in the sand. I often threw a tennis ball or frisbee into the ocean at the prodding of a soaked dog whose owner had tired of playing fetch! I always had a dog biscuit in my pocket back in those days.

Dogs were very much a part of East Hampton Village when I moved into the Village.

I often saw the pups visit Dreesen’s Market or the Palm SteakHouse for a bone. My bet is that the Palm steak bones roasted at 1,100 degrees and finished with a bit of ‘Love’ were the winner. ‘Love’ equals sweet butter, sea salt, tellicherry black pepper, fresh chives and a bit of brown sugar! Urban legend tells a story that on the passing of the proverbial leader of the pack: a funeral was held at the Palm for all the pooches and their peoples. Porterhouse steaks & Heitz Cabernet for all! Well, maybe the Heitz was the people’s choice of beverage! Knowing this village as I do – after 25 years in residence – I believe there to be more fact than fiction to this legend.

Let’s begin with a list of beaches this week and cover the laws necessary to keep dogs and their people out of the hoosegow! Click on the links and you will find your way to Google maps, information will be on the left column as well as directions and pictures of the beaches (if available on Google Maps).  For more information on some of the less frequented Town Beaches check out the East Hampton Town Beach Map.

Next week I will tell the rest of the story of ‘Dogs on the Beach!’

Amagansett – Bay & Harbor Beaches
Big Albert’s Landing Beach
Little Albert’s Landing Beach
Barns Hole, Barns Hole Road
Fresh Pond, Fresh Pond Road
Lazy Point, Lazy Point Road

East Hampton – Bay & Harbor Beaches
Alewive Brook Landing
Mile Hill, Mile Hill Road
Old House Landing Road
Sammy’s Beach
Gerard Drive Park
Maidstone Park Beach
Louse Point Beach

Montauk – Bay & Harbor Beaches
Culloden Point
East Lake Beach

East Hampton – Ocean Beaches
Georgica Beach, Lily Pond Lane
Main Beach, 101 Ocean Avenue
Wiborg Beach, on the highway behind the pond
Egypt Beach, Old Beach Lane
Two Mile Hollow Beach, Two Mile Hollow Road

Amagansett – Ocean Beaches
Atlantic Avenue Beach, Atlantic Avenue
Indian Wells Beach, Indian Wells Highway
Napeague Lane
Navahoe Road

Wainscott – Ocean Beaches
Beach Lane Beach, Beach Lane
Town Line, Town Line Road

Montauk – Ocean Beaches
Ditch Plains Beach, Ditch Plains Road
Edison Beach

Dogs on the Beach Town of East Hampton

• Yes, dogs are permitted on Town Beaches, however, dog owners must always keep their dogs under control, clean up after their pet and keep dogs out of protected nesting areas; there are also seasonal rules as to where and when dogs are permitted on the beach. Dog owners should also be sure to read the signage at each beach entrance before traversing the beach with their dog.
• Off-season Town beaches (September 16 – May 14) restrictions on town beaches are lifted. Dog owner must at all times keep their dogs under control and always clean up after their pets.
• In-season Town beaches (May 15 – September 15) there are restrictions from 10 a.m – 6 p.m. on all town beaches. Between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., on town owned ocean beaches, dogs are permitted 500 feet from a paved road, except for those beaches listed in the East Hampton Town Code. Dogs traversing the beach through a restricted area must be manually restrained with a leash. Between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Town-owned bay beaches dogs must be 300 feet in either direction from a paved road end, again they must also be manually restrained when traversing through a restricted area.

Dogs on the Beach East Hampton Village

• Dogs and other animals are not permitted on the beach between 9AM and 6PM daily from May 15th through September 15th.
• At all other times during the period from May 15th through September 15th each year, dogs must be manually restrained on a leash within areas that are within 300 feet of any road end along the beaches.
• Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and keeping them under control. Plastic bags for clean-up are conveniently provided at the entrance to each village beach. The Village actively patrols beaches and strictly enforces regulations.

Lagniappe [lan-yap]:

Cajun for a little something extra, today in but a single link . . .

While traveling East on Route #27, hang a left on Napeague Harbor Road, it is the only direction of travel possible and says it leads to The Walking Dunes. At the end of the somewhat paved road. park as you are able, being careful to avoid any drop-offs adjacent to the sandy road. Ahead lies a mile and a half of shallow sandy beach perfect for walking the dog and yourself! At high tide there is often little sand, so barefoot and shoe-less is the wardrobe of the day. Oysters and clams are part of the aquaculture system within the harbor, you will encounter few people, maybe a wind-surfer and possibly another beach-comber in search of solitude, shells, the smell of the salt breezes. A bit of sand between their toes is mandatory! Do bring your camera for the images you capture of your dog bounding in the shallows and frolicking in the sand are both a conversation starter and one of the best answers to the age-old question ’so what did you do in The Hamptons last week?

A few reminders . . .

• Bring water for you and the pup
• Make sure to display your town parking permit in a locked car
• Do check the tide charts and sunset times  

The story of Napeague Harbor has just its beginnings told above, more to follow in ‘Dogs on the Beach II’

Gary