Southampton Town Trustees

09/27/2026

🚨 🦪 Due to heavy rainfalls, coastal flooding and extreme stormwater runoff the DEC has designated the following shellfish lands as CLOSED/UNCERTIFIED for harvesting. 🦪 🚨
This is effectively immediately, September 27, 2026 and will continue until a determination is made that water quality in the affected areas meets the criteria for certified shellfish lands.

ℹ️ Information about temporary closures and re-openings will be available on a recorded message available at: ☎️ 631-444-0480 and the DEC website at: 💻 https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7765.html

You may also call the DEC-Bureau of Shellfisheries at 631-444-0492 during regular office hours M-F 8:00 to 4:00.

09/24/2026

With the Nor’Easter approaching this weekend 4x4 driving access will be temporarily closed Friday 9/24 9a to Tuesday 9/29 9am in anticipation of storm surge, high winds and higher tides associated with the full moon on both the north and south shores of the Town. Stay safe and dry!

09/23/2026

🌬️ With a Nor’easter in the forecast for this weekend we are hauling Pump Out Boats and removing potential hazards in anticipation of a big blow 🌬️
With high tides and winds expected, hauling watercraft (especially kayaks, canoes and paddles boards) prior to the storms can keep our waterways clear and limit potential damage. Keep your eyes out for limited beach driving due to storm surge and stay safe!
📸 Bob D’Andrea

09/11/2026

9/11. Never Forget. Today we remember the day the Twin Towers fell, the Pentagon was hit and UA Flight 93 fell in Pennsylvania. We are reminded of the bravery of the victims, first responders and all of the families and survivors of this tragic day. May we all find peace and unity in the collective memory of the sacrifices made and the ripples that were left behind. An extra thank you today to our selfless first responders who never hesitate to risk their lives for the sake of others.

09/09/2026

🌊 Before and After clips of the opening of Mecox Cut today! 🌊

The Trustees of the Freeholders of Southampton are a Public Land Trust that own and manage 25,000 acres of bottomlands throughout the town, including the 1,100 acres of Mecox Bay. The history of the opening and management of the cut at Mecox Bay is as old and storied as the board itself. For hundreds of years the cut has been opened to allow for an influx of salt water, bringing with it oxygen and temperature changes that have created and maintained an ecosystem where the American Oyster thrives and the migratory birds flock. This is a unique and special place that the Trustees have managed since their existence, warranting recognition from the State in the 1980’s as a Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat. The opening of the cut (and the Trustees themselves) pre-exist New York State and even the American Revolution. The Shinnecock tribe, as original caretakers, managed what was called the ‘seapousse’ at Mecox. Over the years, the management of the cut has been enshrined into New York State law. We take this job seriously for all of the reasons one might expect, but the first and foremost because it is our sworn fiduciary duty to uphold and protect these bottomlands, our waterways, the inhabitants they hold, and access to these precious resources by the Freeholders and Commonality of the Town. We hope you learned something new in this mini history snapshot and that you share what you learned with someone else!

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from the Southampton Town Trustees! 🇺🇸

Today we want to give a special shout-out to the people who keep our boat afloat throughout the year, but especially during our busy summer season!🚤

A very special thank you to our office staff, who keep the sails tight and keep us on course and our Marine Maintenance crew, who greases the gears and does our heavy hauling. ⚙️

Keeping our bays, beaches, and waterways safe, accessible, and supported is a huge team effort, and we simply could not do it without our dedicated staff.

And last but certainly not least, a very special thank you to our Marine Patrol, our first responders on the water. 🛟🚤 Their workload increases dramatically as the weather warms and recreation on our waterways soars, and they are always ready to respond- whether they’re rescuing a baby deer caught swimming offshore 🦌, responding to boating injuries from propeller strikes, searching for missing kayakers, or enforcing regulations against illegal harvesting, they are out there doing the work.

Today, we celebrate the people on the water and steering the ship, who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to protecting our community and our prized natural resources.

A huge thank you and a job very well done as the sun sets in another great season! 🌊🌅

Cheers to our Trustees team and all of our hardworking staff! 🍻

08/21/2026

🚨 🦪 Effective August 21st, 2026 🦪 🚨
The NYS Department of Conservation has closed all of Southampton Town waters, and more across Long Island, to harvesting of shellfish to protect public health due to environmental conditions caused by extremely heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff. Please call the DEC Hotline for updates at (631) 444-0408.

08/13/2026

08/04/2026

🌾 A new chapter for the Picnic Area 🌾

Following the recent settlement of the long-running lawsuit involving homeowners, the Southampton Town Trustees and the Southampton Village, a new parking plan is now in place at the Picnic Area. The plan designates 136 parking spaces while creating buffers to help protect the dunes and maintain safe public access.

This is an important step toward balancing two values that can and should coexist: protecting our coastline while preserving historic public access to our beaches.

As implementation begins, we ask everyone to help make this successful by parking only in marked spaces, respecting the dune buffers, listening to village attendants, and leaving the beach better than you found it.

As we all know, the sand and size of the beach at the picnic area can change from season to season. Please respect the parking attendants and know that if modification is needed they will ask.

Thank you to everyone who has worked toward a resolution, and to the public for helping us care for this incredible shoreline for generations to come. 🌊🌾

07/23/2026

🐣🪽 The Chicks Have Flown the Coop! 🚙🏖️

The Picnic Area is OPEN for driving!

The piping plover chicks have officially fledged, and after careful daily monitoring, we’re happy to announce that the beach is ready to welcome vehicles back.

A huge thank you to everyone who patiently waited while our tiny feathered neighbors grew their wings. Your cooperation helped give these little beach birds the space they needed to reach this important milestone and in turn help us keep the picnic area, the picnic area!

Now it’s time to air down, and get back on the sand! 🚙💨 Please continue to keep an eye out for wildlife as you enjoy the beach and our other fenced areas. Our shared shoreline is home to all kinds of amazing creatures, and a little extra care goes a long way.

Welcome back, and happy beach driving! 🌊🐚🪽