Musings: Left out of summer fun in Smithtown
The entrance to Short Beach in Nissequogue Monday, April 6, 2026. Credit: Barry Sloan
Many years ago, way before I was a grandma, I had a grandma. She lived alone in Brooklyn, didn’t have a car and never had a driver’s license.
She got around using public transportation and taxis.
Fortunately for Grandma and the rest of us, Grandma didn’t live in Smithtown in 2026, since the town wouldn’t have allowed us to take her to its public parks, beaches or summer concerts. As unbelievable as it sounds, as of May 2026, Smithtown is only allowing town residents who own cars to enjoy its parks, beaches and summer concerts.
I learned about the situation because I have a friend who lives in Smithtown and is no longer able to drive. Since she has no car, she will not be permitted to be driven to the Smithtown beaches or attend any of the many summer concerts that the town will be offering this summer.
Yes, there is a workaround. If we jump through enough hoops, I can register as her caretaker (which I am not) and then I can take her to these Smithtown summer activities. But I would be the only person who could take her. Her son and daughter, adult grandchildren and other friends who don’t live in Smithtown couldn’t take her. That doesn’t seem right, does it?
I am pretty sure that my friend is not the only granny in Smithtown who doesn’t drive a car. It seems like Smithtown needs to find a way to let grandmothers, grandfathers and any other residents who don’t drive enjoy their public parks, beaches and summer concerts.
— Heidi Reichel, Huntington
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