Part of Long Island’s charm is the outstanding landscape that surrounds us. From sandy shores to hills and meadows, LI is some beautiful countryside. And our parks are the prettiest of them all. Acres of green, manicured and preserved stretches of land to enjoy abound on this place we call home. Here are the best:
2024: Long Island Voted Eisenhower Park – East Meadow Best Park!
Eisenhower Park – East Meadow
Eisenhower County Park, East Meadow
(516) 572-0348 – nassaucountyny.gov/2797/eisenhower-park
Eisenhower Park, a sprawling 930-acre oasis located in the heart of Nassau County, stands as a testament to visionary planning and community dedication! Surpassing Central Park in size, this public space offers a diverse array of recreational activities. Boasting world-class facilities, the Nassau County Aquatic Center stands out as a premier indoor swimming destination, hosting both locals and top-tier competitive events. The park caters to sports enthusiasts with 14 lighted tennis courts, a state-of-the-art ice center, and three outstanding 18-hole golf courses. Families can delight in the mini-golf course, splash pools, playgrounds, and the annual “Celebrate America” fireworks at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Memorials honoring veterans and the victims of 9/11 add a poignant touch to the park’s landscape.
2023: Long Islanders Voted Eisenhower Park – East Meadow Best Park!
Eisenhower Park – East Meadow
East Meadow
(516) 572-0348 – nassaucountyny.gov/2797/eisenhower-park
Walk, bike, run, play, meditate, sit and read, and spend a decent amount of outdoor time at Eisenhower Park! This Nassau County-run oasis is desirable in any of the four seasons. Everyone feels freer after a few hours at Eisenhower. When it’s time for an open-air outing, head over to this spacious park. Regular visitors have found their nook in good weather, and plenty of peace-seeking locals make Eisenhower an important part of their daily routines. There are sunny and shady areas, five or six miles of paths and walkways, free entrance, restrooms, a playground, and plenty of parking making this setting an accessible park for everyone!
2022: Long Islanders Voted Eisenhower Park – East Meadow Best Park!
Eisenhower Park – East Meadow
1899 Park Blvd., Westbury
(516) 572-0348 – nassaucountyny.gov
Nassau County’s “Central Park,” Eisenhower is the county’s largest space and the go-to spot for everything from sledding, family picnics, summer softball leagues, concert series, and golfing. It is also the destination for swimmers, hosting the largest indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool in the Northeast. Home to a plethora of various memorials, Eisenhower Park boasts a massive reflecting pool and an actual piece of the World Trade Center. Eisenhower is second to none when it comes to family fun!
2021: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park!
Jones Beach State Park
2400 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh
(516) 785-1600 – parks.ny.gov
Take in the great outdoors of Long Island at Jones Beach State Park. Jones Beach is home to 6.5 miles of beautiful white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean and made up of more than 2,400-acres of maritime environment on the South Shore. The park has little development or advertising, creating a natural and relaxing environment that takes visitors back to pre-suburban Long Island. From swimming and fishing to surfing and even golfing, there’s no shortage of activities to take part in on this scenic isle away from the mainland. Play in the sand, cast your line and soak up the sun at Long Island’s favorite park!
2020: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park!
Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh
(516) 785-1600 – jonesbeach.com
Take in the great outdoors of Long Island at Jones Beach State Park. Jones Beach is home to 6.5 miles of beautiful white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean and made up of more than 2,400-acres of maritime environment on the south shore. The park has little development or advertising, creating a natural and relaxing environment that takes visitors back to pre-suburban Long Island. From swimming and fishing to surfing and even golfing, there’s no shortage of activities to take part in on this scenic isle away from the mainland. Play in the sand, cast your line and soak up the sun at the best park on the island.
2019: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park!
Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh
(516) 785-1600 – www.jonesbeach.com
Perhaps the most famous state park on Long Island, Jones Beach State Park is in a class all its own. Popular in the summer months for its seemingly endless beach, the park is in many ways the crown jewel of our dear Island. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of whom make the annual pilgrimage to the Bethpage Air Show—always a high-flying extravaganza—when things cool down a bit during the summer evenings, Long Islanders move from the beach to Nikon Theater, which hosts live performances by some of the top names in music!
2018: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park on Long Island!
Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. jonesbeach.com
Perhaps the most famous state park on Long Island, Jones Beach State Park is in a class all its own. Popular in the summer months for its seemingly endless beach, the park is in many ways the crown jewel of our dear Island. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of whom make the annual pilgrimage to the Bethpage Air Show—always a high-flying extravaganza—when things cool down a bit during the summer evenings, Long Islanders move from the beach to Nikon Theater, which hosts live performances by some of the top names in music!
2017: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park on Long Island!
Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. jonesbeach.com
Perhaps the most famous state park on Long Island, Jones Beach State Park is in a class all its own. Popular in the summer months for its seemingly endless beach, the park is in many ways the crown jewel of our dear Island. Welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of whom make the annual pilgrimage to the Bethpage Air Show—always a high-flying extravaganza—when things cool down a bit during the summer evenings, Long Islanders move from the beach to Nikon Theater, which hosts live performances by some of the top names in music!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park Best Park on Long Island!
Jones Beach State Park
1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. jonesbeach.com
There’s nothing like Jones Beach State Park. The world-famous state park attracted more than 60 million visitors over the last decade, many of whom were happy just to frolic on the beach or take in a concert at the park’s popular Nikon Theater. Jones Beach is the place where hundreds of thousands go to ring in the unofficial start to the summer season during the annual Bethpage Air Show on Memorial Day Weekend. Jones Beach State Park is primed to be a must-visit destination in the future, thanks to a revitalization plan that includes a refurbished central mall mosaic, new bathrooms, a more expansive menu, and a number of new recreational activities. The Best is yet to come at Jones Beach!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Eisenhower Park Best Park on Long Island!
Eisenhower Park
Eisenhower County Park, East Meadow. 516-572-0348. nassaucountyny.gov/2797/Eisenhower-Park
Nassau County’s “Central Park,” Eisenhower is the county’s largest space and the go-to spot for everything from sledding, family picnics, summer softball leagues, concert series, and golfing. It is also the destination for swimmers, hosting the largest indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool in the Northeast. Home to a plethora of various memorials, Eisenhower Park boasts a massive reflecting pool, and an actual piece of the World Trade Center. Eisenhower is second to none when it comes to family fun!
2014: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh Best Park on Long Island!
1. Jones Beach State Park
1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. jonesbeach.com
2. Eisenhower Park
Eisenhower County Park, East Meadow. 516-572-0348.
3. Tanner Park
Kerrigan Rd., Copaigue. 631-893-2100.
2013: Long Islanders voted Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park in Farmingdale Best Park on Long Island!
1. Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park
45 Motor Ave., Farmingdale. 516-755-1842. www.oysterbaytown.com
2. Eisenhower Park
1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow. 516-572-0348. www.nassaucountyny.gov
3. Jones Beach State Park
Ocean Parkway, Wantagh. 516-785-1600. www.nysparks.com
2012: Long Islanders Voted Eisenhower Park in East Meadow Best Park on Long Island
1. Eisenhower Park
Merrick and Stewart Avenues, East Meadow. 516-572-0348.
2. Argyle Park
West Main Street, Babylon. 631-669-1212.
3. Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/10/details.aspx
2011: Long Islanders Voted Eisenhower Park in East Meadow the Best Park on Long Island!
1. Eisenhower Park
1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow. 516-572-0348. www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/wheretogo/active/eisenhower.html
2. Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/10/details.aspx
3. Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay. 516-922-9200. www.plantingfields.org
2010: Long Islanders Voted Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh the Best Park on Long Island!
1. Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. 516-785-1600. www.jonesbeach.com
2. Eisenhower Park
Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. 516-572-0348.
3. Wantagh Park
1 King Rd., Wantagh. 516-571-7460.