The Sandbox at Theodore Roosevelt Park opens in Oyster Bay

Fans of beachfront spots like Cooper Bluff and Sunset Club at Tappan Beach in Sea Cliff will be happy to learn that The Sandbox at Theodore Roosevelt Park on Oyster Bay's waterfront will open Friday, in time for Memorial Day weekend. 

Owned by Russ Lundstrum, who also operates the above-mentioned spots, in addition to Coach Meeting House, alongside partner John Perfetti, this family-friendly, casual concession stand will highlight a weekly variety of rotating food trucks. Think traditional summertime fare like hot dogs, chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches. To drink? Milkshakes, Dole Whip machines, Pacífico beer on tap, Hampton Water rosé, Sun Cruiser iced teas as well as a walk-up slushie window with "adult" highlights, including cucumber mango mojitos and Fire Island Rocket Fuel, a nutty riff on a piña colada from the addition of amaretto liqueur. A full coffee bar will serve hot and iced coffee. And, of course, there will be ice cream.

For the uninitiated, Theodore Roosevelt Beach, in the memorial park of the same name, is known for its calm, expansive shoreline fronting Oyster Bay Harbor. Here, locals are known to play cornhole under the Edison lights, compete on the athletic fields, play pickleball on the courts, run wild on the playgrounds, launch from the boat ramps and picnic on the harbor. Now, there will also be plenty of picnic table seating and a flurry of options for take-away eats under the sun and stars.

The project, which began in 2024 and endured multiple setbacks, was ripe for the ambitious Lundstrum, who compares the build-out to his own Cooper Bluff, also in Oyster Bay, where he took underutilized waterfront property without a kitchen or indoor space — a dump for used boat parts and marina equipment — and created a dining destination. But for now, the short term goal is "making it work and creating the best experience possible to showcase our beautiful waterfront."

The Sandbox, Theodore Roosevelt Park , 63 Larrabee Ave., Oyster Bay; sandboxtrpark.fun. Open daily from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. (weather permitting)

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com@mariesworlds

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.