Corey Creek Park features a large and paved parking lot just south of Middle Road. The celebrated Flo's grilled sandwich shop is a good landmark on the corner, with its throwback drive-in looks and comfort food. The beach follows Brookhaven town access rules during the summer season (a rather exorbitant $20 for non-residents to park), but it's free from Labor Day through Memorial Day. There is also some parking on the street outside of the playground area, which is usually open on weekdays during the school year. The brand-new playground has a great nautical theme that fits right in with the beachfront location.

The best part about this playground is that it is located right on the beach. Kids can go straight from the swings and into the water. Of course, this means that you'll have to keep a close watch on little ones, as there are no fences to block their access to the water. The swings themselves are in good shape, with coated chains and newer frames. There are two swingsets, each featuring a pair of standard and a pair of toddler swings.

The tugboat sandbox and play fort is showing up at playgrounds all over Long Island. It provides an elevated platform for water viewing and a cabin for hiding out from the sun. The bright colors are an attraction for everyone, but smaller children will need some help to climb inside.

The new playset is quite large, with a variety of climbing options for getting aboard. Rockwalls, wire climbs, ladders and stairs allow access for climbers of every skill level. The soft and sandy play surface provides for cushioned landings whenever there's a mishap.

At the far end of the playset are a trio of high slides. They descend from the tallest platform on the set and give a fast ride. The drops at the end are a little steep, but smaller children for whom this would be a problem will probably not be able to make the climb up to the launching area.

A pair of shorter slides can be found on one of the lower platforms. There are a number of sun screens along the whole length of the set, which can be a lifesaver on hot summer days. The height of the platforms also allows for ample shaded play space in the sand below the play areas.

A herd of anchored rockers make a charge for the water. Corey Creek Park is one of the more scenic playgrounds on Long Island. There are benches throughout the play area, which give parents the ability to sit nearby and enjoy the sea air while their kids play. This is a great spot for kite flying, and the whole playground is like a giant sandbox.

Corey Creek Park