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Long Island has so many great natural resources that many of its residents never get the chance to experience. Here at the WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay, NY, it is our mission to get people outside and on the water. If you are interested in learning to sail, taking part in sailboat racing, renting a sailboat or kayak, arranging a private charter, taking a sailing vacation to the British Virgin Islands, sending your child to summer camp on Long Island, fishing, tall ships, organizing a corporate outing, or sailing on the restored Christeen oyster sloop, the WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay, New York has a program that will suit you!  Christeen and Tahiti
- The WaterFront Center Sailing School located in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York
- Marine Education concentrating on topics here on Long Island
- The Christeen Oyster Sloop, Oyster Bay's own National Historic Landmark
- Summer programs for children from Oyster Bay and all across Long Island
- Adult Summer sailing programs
- Sailboat and kayak rentals on beautiful Oyster Bay, one of the cleanest harbors on Long Island Sound
- Plus much more!
We look forward to seeing you here at the most beautiful harbor on Long Island Sound. |
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The Transformation of the Western Waterfront
In the late 1980’s a real estate development proposal threatened the shoreline of Oyster Bay. The proposal called for condominiums, an office building, and a 252-slip marina to be built on the site of the former Jakobson Shipyard. Concerned about the impact this development would have on the valuable natural resources of Oyster Bay Harbor, the not-for-profit group, Friends of the Bay, the late State Senator Ralph Marino, our current State Senator Carl Marcellino, and other elected officials lead a campaign that brought the community together against the proposed development. A Steering Committee, chaired by Senator Marcellino, sought the public’s input and developed details for a plan through community meetings and other forums.
From six proposed plans, Plan D was chosen as a reflection of the extensive verbal and written comments received from the public. An essential part of Plan D was the development of a Community/Environmental Education Center. This Plan was approved in 1998 by the Town Board and became law through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, the State DEC, and State Senator Carl Marcellino. In 1999, an Environmental Impact Study was conducted by Cameron Engineering. Then in 2000, to implement the development of the Education Center and in reliance upon the Memorandum of Understanding, the WaterFront Center was established.
Since 1999, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Town of Oyster Bay have invested about $16 million on the Western Waterfront, most of which came from the State under the direction of Senator Marcellino. The pier and West End Avenue were repaired, all the shipyard sheds on the north side of West End Avenue were torn down, and the buildings on the south side were renovated or replaced.
The brick building that was the shipyard’s offices is where the WaterFront Center currently resides. The light blue shed next door to the east houses Sagamore Rowing Association. The smaller of the two recently completed darker blue metal buildings is a bathroom facility. The largest one closest to T. Roosevelt Park is a 48,000 sq ft shed that replaces the old Building J, originally 100,000 sq. ft. The new Building J will house boatbuilding classes and the construction of a replica of the oyster boat, Ida May. In 2007 about $2 million was spent on the construction of an observation pier overlooking the tidal area by Beekman Beach and extensive landscaping in the bulkheaded area. During the summer of 2008 State boat launch ramp and parking area was completed.
The Development of the WaterFront Center
Since 2000, the WaterFront Center has worked diligently to become a quality provider of marine education and recreation programs. Working from temporary facilities provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Center offers marine education programs, beginner and advanced sailing instruction, kayak and sailboat rentals, and cruises on its National Historic Landmark, the oyster sloop Christeen.
March 2000 - The WaterFront Center was incorporated under the legal name, The Center for Marine Education and Recreation at Oyster Bay.
Fall 2001 - The WaterFront Center purchased the Oyster Bay Sailing School as an environmentally friendly way to increase the public’s access to the Bay and complement education programs.
Spring 2002 - The Christeen Oyster Sloop Preservation Corporation merged with the WaterFront Center. The Christeen provided the Center with a platform for taking larger groups on the Bay, whether for school field trips, public sails or private charters.
Summer 2002 – The WaterFront Center began its two-week Junior Summer Programs. Participants now divide their time between learning to sail in small dinghies, sailing on the Christeen, kayaking, fishing and participating in marine science activities.
Fall 2005 – The WaterFront Center Sailing School raised funds from private sources to purchase 6 previously owned Sonars to improve and expand its fleet.
Winter 2006 – Six new Pixels (double-handed dinghies) were purchased for teen sailing and other sailing programs for youth.
The WFC now provides extensive environmental education programming throughout the year— serving school groups and youth organizations, scouts, and individual children and adults of all ages.
Volunteers
From the beginning, volunteers have been the backbone of the WaterFront Center assisting in many areas including board governance, crewing on the Christeen, raising funds, stuffing envelopes, boat repair and more.
Governance
The WaterFront Center is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Personnel
The Center employs 12 year-round staff. Seasonally, the Center employs about 40 additional staff comprised of naturalists, sailing instructors, boat repair/maintenance workers and office support staff.
Looking Forward
The WaterFront Center looks forward to ensuring that it has enough space to accommodate growing interest in its educational and recreational programs among school and scout groups, camps, summer campers, adult sailors and families. Boat building classes are planned for the new Building J that will run concurrently with the construction of the Ida May replica. When the Ida May is completed, she will join the Christeen providing more access to people of all ages and means to the waters of Oyster Bay. |
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