City Beach opens for season

PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh City Beach is open for the summer and people from all over are taking their turn stepping in the sand.

On Friday, the City of Plattsburgh officially opened Plattsburgh City Beach to the public.

Lifeguards will be on duty only during open beach hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

PARKING PRICING

While going to the beach itself remains free, the City charges a $13 flat fee, or a $60 seasonal permit, for the convenience of parking in the immediately adjacent parking lot.

City of Plattsburgh residents can obtain a seasonal parking pass for free with proof of residency via the online parking portal.

This year, the City is offering Town of Plattsburgh residents a discounted beach seasonal pass for $30 which can be purchased via the online parking portal system with proof of residency.

Beach parking permits can be obtained online by visiting https://plattsburgh.thepermitportal.com/.

The Northern overflow parking lot continues to remain free, and everyone is welcome to drop off their passengers and gear before utilizing this parking area.

The beach is also accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Some visitors to the beach Saturday were returning to the beach to revisit childhood memories.

“I used to come here as a kid,” Claudine Savoie, from Quebec, said.

This time she was visiting with her husband, who had never been before.

“We came because we wanted to see how the beach is doing,” Savoie added.

Plattsburgh City Beach is a destination to be shared with loved ones, according to John Tremonte, who is visiting from Florida.

“I am up here all summer, but I come to the beach when my son visits,” Tremonte said.

“It’s a good thing to take advantage of. I mean, it’s a real privilege when you can go whenever you want, but it can be something special when you bring loved ones.”

He added that “I live in Florida, but this is different. There’s nothing like it anywhere else, you can look out at the water and see the mountains beyond that.”

His son, John, from Montreal who had never been, agreed: “It is beautiful.”

‘BEST KEPT SECRET’

Another family visiting from out of town loves the beach for its atmosphere.

“It is beautiful, serene and peaceful,” Ann LaMoy, from Queensbury, said.

“It feels like a best kept secret.”

“There’s a lot of seashells,” Céline, her daughter, added eagerly.

BEACH EVENTS

On Saturday, July 6, the City Beach will host one of Plattsburgh’s biggest traditional celebrations of the year: the annual Mayor’s Cup Regatta and Festival organized by the Sunrise Rotary of Plattsburgh.

The festival will feature a sailing regatta, a cornhole tournament, kayak paddle tour, kids games and activities, food trucks, live music and more.

The Annual East Coast Watercross Tournament will return to the City Beach on Aug. 3 and 4.