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On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the newest restoration project in his ongoing $900 million NY Parks 2020 initiative. Jones Beach State Park, a historic beach in Southern Nassau County, is next in line to undergo a makeover, this time to the tune of $8.8 million.
As of late, the beach has been functioning as more of an outdoor concert venue than the "international tourist destination" Cuomo plans to turn it into. But with $65 million, the governor aims to change the entire area, from adding nature trails and parking to reviving the Freeport-Jones Beach bus. The work has already revamped the beachside eatery Marine Dining Room, open a new area for recreational games and sports, and bring in some snazzy welcome signs to attract tourists. Visitors will be able to play shuffle board and dine in the historic 1930s restaurant—how, er, retro.
With some features already reopened and many more upgrades on the way, Cuomo intends to bring Jones Beach back to its former "majestic" status. Meanwhile, I am still trying to complete the 1,000-piece Jones Beach puzzle I started months ago. I guess we'll have to wait and see whose impossible goal is accomplished first.