Orient Beach State Park

Orient Beach State Park is a 363acre state park located in the Town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York in the United States. The park is at the tip of the North Fork of Long Island.Long Beach, located within the park, was designated a National Natural Landmark in April 1980 for its 2.5mi sand spit beach demonstrating plant succession from salt marsh to maritime red cedar forest.The Orient Long Beach Bar Light, commonly known as Bug Light, is located inside the park.RecreationThe park offers 45000ft of bay frontage, and includes a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking, fishing and a food concession. The park is open throughout the year for day-use only.Restrictions on boat accessIn 1997, park rangers began enforcing an existing no boating policy on Long Beach, leading to controversy and ticketing in 2000. State officials contended that renewed enforcement was enacted to protect the beach's value as a protected sanctuary for endangered birds such as the piping plover, in addition to preserving the beach's unusual maritime red cedar forest and other rare plants.Flora and faunaThere is a common and roseate tern nesting area in the park. There are also eelgrass beds offshore.