Summer 2012 Preview: Beach Parking in Southampton Village

The Hamptons have something to lure everyone – the quaint villages, the shopping, the arts – but the overarching reason to spend a summer on the East End is the beach. With miles of pristine oceanfront and a smattering of calm bays, lakes and the Long Island Sound, the Hamptons and the North Fork offer the ultimate in beach fun and relaxation.

But the villages and towns all have different, heavily enforced parking rules and regulations. So before your flip-flops slap the pavement en route to staking out that perfect slice of sand, make sure that your car has all of the requisite parking stickers readily visible. When in doubt, contact the town or village, and heed to the posted signs. To get you started, here is a rundown of what you need to know:

Village of Southampton

The Village of Southampton is home to a number of beaches. Coopers Beach is the area’s main beach—it was rated the No. 1 beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2010—and it is the only one with lifeguards. Village Parking permits are required for all village beaches except Road D beginning on May 26. Property owners and year-round renters may receive their parking permit by mail—the form is available online now—or head to Village Hall beginning on May 1. “Local” non-village residents who reside within the Southampton Fire or School Districts can obtain a permit for $225 per car, and summer visitors can pay a fee of $350 per car. Daily parking passes are available at Coopers for $40. Note that Southampton Town parking passes are not valid at Southampton Village beaches. 

• Beaches

Coopers Beach: (Lifeguards, comfort station, concessions)

Cryder Lane

Dune Beach: (Village residents only)

Fowler Beach

Gin Lane

Halsey Neck Lane

Road G

Road D

Old Town Road

Wyandanch Beach, Little Plains Lane

Wyandanch Lane

For more information, contact the Village of Southampton at 631-283-0247 or www.southamptonvillage.org.