NY Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the $20 million Jones Beach Boardwalk Cafe is open for business, bringing back a popular dining option and renewed vitality to Central Mall at the heart of Jones Beach State Park. The revitalization of Long Island's most-visited state park is part of the Governor's NY Parks 2020 multi-year commitment of $900 million in private and public funding to modernize State Parks.

"The grand opening of the Boardwalk Café highlights New York's progress in restoring the historic vitality of Jones Beach State Park," Governor Cuomo said. "I encourage everyone to visit Jones Beach this summer and experience for themselves the transformation that has taken place at one of Long Island's true natural wonders."

The new 7,700-square-foot café, featuring an open and airy Market Hall dining concept and distinctive tensile roof, will bring back food and beverage to the Central Mall that has been absent since 2004, when the previous building was demolished due to structural failure. There will also be a Taste NY Grab and Go component to the Café with more than 20 New York-produced items.

The Boardwalk Café will:

• Anchor newly installed activities including the refurbished East Games Area and the new splash pad adjacent to the Central Mall and the adventure course to be constructed this summer;
• Offer outdoor shaded seating options, with commanding views of the ocean, beach and boardwalk;
• Withstand severe coastal storms and flooding with a reinforced design built on piles that elevates the main floor 20 feet above sea level; and
• Honor the park's heritage with brick, sandstone and limestone to match those materials utilized in the historic 1920/30s buildings in the park era, a large and historic photo of the Park in the interior, and restored symmetry of the Central Mall.

Jones Beach State Park was named the second most visited NYS park in 2017. With the new Boardwalk Cafe, this number might jump.

Image: iloveny.com