Friends of Watch Hill

Who are the Friends of Watch Hill?

We are a 501 (c) ( 3) non-profit organization that was formed by local and remote visitors who want to get “On Course for a better Watch Hill”. Watch Hill is a very beautiful area within the Fire Island National Seashore providing locals and remote visitors the opportunity to enjoy ocean and bay beaches, boating, bird watching, hiking, camping, fishing and many other recreational activities. Friends of Watch Hill want to keep it that way; a haven for all who appreciate the wonders of this beautiful environment and want to enjoy it for many, many years to come.

What is your Mission?

Our mission is to promote and support the recreational use of Watch Hill while preserving its natural resources and beauty. We are committed to developing and maintaining open, on-going, two-way communication with the National Park Service and Concessionaire in support of mutual goals. We will conduct and/or participate in raising funds and related activities solely for the purpose of improving the recreational facilities of Watch Hill

What do you do?

We raise funds and work with the National Park Service,Concessionaire and locally elected officials. We volunteer, and support the preservation of the natural resources and beauty of Watch Hill, while encouraging all visitors to enjoy the ocean and bay beaches, marina, camp grounds, walking and hiking trails and the many other assets of Watch Hill

What can the Friends of Watch Hill do for me?

We are “On Course for a better Watch Hill” and can tell our elected officials how much a part of our life-style the park has become to both the local and remote visitor. Here at Watch Hill, we can go boating, camping, fishing, hiking, walking, bird watching and on and on. Where else can we enjoy these recreational activities? We can convey this sentiment in a unified voice on behalf of our membership to our elected officials and impress upon them how important it is to us to continue to enjoy Watch Hill.

Friends of Watch Hill can also raise funds for important enhancements to Watch Hill such as the "Bayside Deck"that was constructed in 2006 and the additional purchase, installation and maintenance of 12 Mosquito Magnets. Plans are underway for installation of a Donor Board , Event & Activity Bulletin Board,Horseshoe Pits and Bocci Ball courts for 2007. Your continued support is the reason for all these improvements.

What were your accomplishments during 2006 ?

Completed construction of the Bayside Deck

Signed an "MOU" agreement with the NPS which means we are official partners with them

Continued the regular showing of children movies to park visitors with the audiovisual equiptment we obtained in 2005

    Maintained and serviced the Mosquito Magnets including net emptying, propane refills, replacing the Octenol and arranging for winter storage

Developed and maintained our website" www.friendsofwatchhill.org" and added Paypal for easy Membership payments

The FOWH on line store was added during 2006

The 1st annual Horseshoe Tournement run by our volunteers



Enrolled & Renewed more than 300 members

Conducted meetings with our members for communication and feedback on future goals

   Held fund raising events at Watch Hill & on the Mainland to support the maintenance of the Mosquito Magnets

What are our goals in 2007?

Build a Horseshoe Pit & Bocce Ball Court for all park visitors to enjoy.

Build & install a Donar Board with an event board for announcing activities, programs and events

Communicate with responsible parties on issues and/or concerns about park facilities

Inform members of fund raising events and host member meetings

Work with the National Park Service to reinstate and conduct programs such as storytelling, nature walks, etc. for all park visitors

Speak with a unified voice with the National Park Service to ensure park visitor’s needs are considered throughout the decision-making process

Work with the National Park Service and the concessionaire to ensure Watch Hill’s natural beauty is preserved and ensure it remains open to local and remote park visitors for future generations

What were FOWH 's accomplishments in 2007?

Horseshoe pits and Bocci court were completed Aug 2007

Donar Board was installed May 2007 and by Sept was almost filled with corporate   and individual names

Meetings were held with NPS and FOWH board members

A large fund raising event (Donate Life)was held for one of our members who recieved a heart transplant (Thank You Letter)

Held the Saturday night movies for the children

A donation to the NPS for the Centenial Fund 2016 will be used to install new     signs throughout the Fire Island National Seashore

Held annual beach cleanup

Why should you help us to accomplish our mission?

Your support will help to ensure that Watch Hill remains open to all visitors for future generations to come and enjoy its natural beauty. You should also help because we can speak with one voice with the National Park Service to ensure park visitors’ needs are considered within the decision-making process. By the same token, Friends of Watch Hill is able to convey these very same needs, thoughts and ideas to locally elected officials who can provide much needed funds by way of grants.

How can I help?

You can help by getting “On Course for a better Watch Hill” and becoming a member of our organization. In doing so, you will be helping us not only to raise funds for Watch Hill, but also in getting the recognition and support of our locally elected officials. The more members we have in our organization, the more likely we are to have an important voice in the future of Watch Hill.

In addition, you can volunteer to help us with in our on-going efforts and projects for a better Watch Hill. If you are interested in volunteering, simply contact a member of our Board, email us at our website www.friendsofwatchhill@yahoo.com, or write to us at P.O. Box 60 Oakdale,N.Y. 11769

How will I find out about our progress?

If you become a member of Friends Of Watch Hill, you will receive a copy of our Newsletters which will give you information will give you information about goals and accomplishments. In addition, the newsletter will tell you about upcoming fund raising events, social gatherings and volunteer work programs.

What does a membership cost?

You can choose a General, Bronze, Gold or Platinum membership costing $25, $50, $75 or $100 respectively. All members will receive a copy of our Newsletters and will also receive a Friends of Watch Hill Membership decal.

Any additional monetary support is always welcome as are Corporate Sponsorships and the donation of Mosquito Magnets.

How do I enroll as a member?

Just complete an enrollment form and mail it with your check or money order to Friends of Watch Hill, P.O. Box 60, Oakdale, NY 11769 or when next you are at Watch Hill, give it to a member of our Board, You can also enroll on this website by scrolling down to the MEMBERSHIP FORM below.

How will I know my membership is completed?

Friends of Watch Hill will confirm your enrollment application by US Mail & E-Mail. New members will receive a receipt and a membership decal that corrisponds with the year of the membership

        Click these links for more information about the Friends of Watch Hill

                BOARD MEMBERS |    RELATED LINKS | FRIENDS OF WATCH HILL STORE

WATCH HILL SLIDE SHOWS & PHOTOS | MEMBERSHIP FORM | CURRENT EVENTS & NEWSLETTERS | |

EMAIL: friendsofwatchhill@yahoo.com

updated Dec. 31st 2007