Thursday, October 1, 2026
After sitting dormant for years, a piece of Jones Beach history is once again filled with the sights and sounds of children playing, families swimming and visitors enjoying the summer sun.
The newly restored East Bathhouse officially reopened on July 24, bringing a nearly century-old landmark back into use with a modern pool, splash pads, upgraded locker rooms and restored historic details.
On a sunny day shortly after its reopening, families filled the new pool area, with young children running through the splash pads and adults exploring a facility that had been closed for years.
The reopening marks the completion of a major restoration project aimed at preserving the historic character of the bathhouse while creating new recreational opportunities for future generations.
"The rebirth of Jones Beach started several years ago — however, the commitment of $100 million from Gov. [Kathy] Hochul for this project was extraordinary," said George Gorman Jr., regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "We anticipate more improvements as we move forward to the 100th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park in 2029."
Odell Reyes, 33, of Howard Beach, Queens, brought his three children to see the renovated bathhouse after seeing information about the reopening on social media.
"It's great because, with the smaller kids, they can't really swim, so they could play in the splash pad," Reyes said.
He added that he hoped his children would remember spending time together at a place that has been part of Long Island summers for generations. "Having fun with me and my wife," Reyes said of the memories he hopes his children take away from the visit.
Nafizah, a 34 year-old mother from Freeport, also brought her family after her sister shared information about the reopening. The bathhouse’s new features, she said, provide more options for younger visitors compared with the previous pool experience at Jones Beach.
"When we go to the other bathhouse, it's more of bigger kids and grown-ups in the pool, and then the kiddie pool doesn't have much to offer," she said of the park’s West Bathhouse. "This gives the kids something to play with and do something besides just splashing around."
The renovated facility was designed to serve visitors of all ages and abilities. Gorman said that one of the biggest changes visitors will notice is the combination of historic preservation and modern amenities.
"As soon as a park visitor sees the bathhouse and surrounding area, their first reaction is, 'wow!'" Gorman said, "from the walkways and restored mosaics to the landscaping."
Inside, visitors see newly renovated locker rooms before entering the expansive pool area, which featured colorful aquatic attractions and splash pads. The restoration also preserved original architectural elements from the bathhouse's 1929 design.
"We restored the 1929 design, including the Barbizon brick, Ohio sandstone, bronze, woodwork and decorative mosaics from when it was first built," Gorman said. "We also created a modern pool and splash pad for the visitors to enjoy."
The project was not without challenges. Gorman said that crews encountered significant deterioration while working on the nearly 100-year-old facility, along with difficult weather, particularly during the winter. "We did plan an expedited schedule to have it opened within two years," he said. "We came across considerable deterioration, which needed to be restored."
Despite those challenges, the completed project has already received positive feedback from visitors, according to Gorman "They have complimented us on the design of the pool and splash pads as well as the lockers and restoration of the historic mosaics," he said.
The renovated pool includes swimming lanes as well as a larger, 4-foot-deep section for families, while the splash pads feature interactive water elements designed for younger visitors.
For families like Reyes's and Nafizah's, the reopening represents more than just a renovated facility — it offers a new summer destination where children can build memories at one of Long Island's most iconic parks.
"It's a lot of fun," Nafizah said, wrapping her arm around her young daughter. "She wants to come back."
