Taking Care of Our Own Backyard

Thomas Edison once said "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work". Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners has not missed their opportunity to uncover a gem within our neighborhood - Shirley Beach at Smith Landing and happily engages in the work it takes to maintain its beauty.

For almost 8 months now, the members of the Smith Point Homeowners have been the stewards of our local beach. They have worked tirelessly on cleaning and maintaining the beach every day. During the "off season", which primarily runs from September through May they have opened the beach gates every morning and closed the beach each evening so everyone can enjoy our beach during the winter and spring months, when the beach is generally closed. This has enabled residents to enjoy the sunsets, go windsurfing or just watch the bay as it rolls onto the shore.

The Board and other members have also taken on the responsibility of cleaning the beach daily, and cleaning the entire shoreline from the manor to the marina on a weekly basis. Many residents have expressed their gratitude claiming that "Shirley Beach hasn't looked this clean in years."

But the SPPHOA didn't stop there. They lobbied Brookhaven Town to spring for some wonderful improvements to the park, including repainting the building inside and out, delivering and securing new picnic tables and new barbeque pits, weeding, edging, mulching and planting new flowers in the neglected beds. In addition, the Town cleaned up the playground area and spread new mulch near all of the equipment and added new trash cans with wildlife-resistant covers to help keep the litter where it belongs.

So next time you're in the neighborhood, stop by Shirley Beach at Smith Landing, take a stroll along the shore, or just sit down and enjoy the view. But please be sure to pick up after yourself and help keep your park clean. You and your neighbors will be glad you did.

We are ever so grateful to Brookhaven Town for listening to its residents and especially for entrusting the care of its precious jewel, Shirley Beach at Smith Landing, to the Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners Association. This is the best example of taking care of one's own backyard.