Labor Day Delivers Perfect Beach Weather To Close Out Summer Season
LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Labor Day marks the last hurrah of the summer.
What better way to cap off the season than spending the day outside?
"It's fantastic. Summer, please don't go," Lupe Gonzalez, of Forest Hills, told CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis on Long Beach. "Three-day weekend, been here since Friday, never left."
"Winter's around the corner, right?" she added. "It comes and it goes."
The heat and humidity are dialed up, making a dip in the ocean even more refreshing.
"It always feels good to have a break from work," said Port Washington resident Drew Keen.
But not everyone has the day off. Lifeguards experienced a busy day, and businesses like Beach Local Cafe welcome the chance to to cash in on the crowds.
"Always holiday weekends are huge down in Long Beach," worker Sean Sullivan said.
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Everyone enjoyed the day in their own way -- from playing on the beach to running on the boardwalk.
"Playing in the sand and playing in the water," said Wynn Petchor, of Mamaroneck.
"A little hot, but it's good to be here and running," runner Mark Cohen said.
City parks have pushed back the end of beach season. So if you can't make it Monday, you'll still have next weekend.
As crowds poured into Jones Beach for another 100,000 visitor day, attendees like the Butterweich family of Westbury were singing the end-of-summer blues. Luckily for them, New York State Parks has an antidote for that.
"This year we're open until September 16th, and we are open daily," Regional Director George Gorman.
It's not the end of summer at state-run Long Island beaches. They're staying open for swimming for the next two weeks, with lifeguards on duty until 6 p.m. at Jones Beach, Hither Hills, Robert Moses Park, and Sunken Meadow Park.
The state parks remain open year-round, but now you'll be able to swim with lifeguards on duty until the 16th. If the weather stays warm, officials say that could be extended even longer.
