Proposal Would Bring Free Sunscreen Dispensers To Huntington Parks, Beaches

Updated with revisions and an Editor's Note on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.:

Got sunscreen?

An initiative looks to install sunscreen dispensers at 15 locations across the Town of Huntington, according to a proposal by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland.

“Too often residents don’t wear sunscreen because they simply forget to bring it with them,” Berland said in a press release. “This skin cancer prevention project provides free sunscreen to park and beachgoers in order to protect them from the dangers of the sun. Securing the funding and expanding this pilot program to 15 locations in the Town will help reduce the risk of Melanoma and other skin cancers.”

The first-year cost would be approximately $1,555, according to the budget proposal.

• Would you use the sunscreen dispensers, or is it a waste of money? Sound off in the comments below.

The dispensers would be set up at beaches, parks, golf courses and pools at Asharoken Beach, Centerport Beach, Crab Meadow Beach, Crescent Beach, Fleets Cove Beach, Gold Star Batallion Beach, Hobart Beach and Quentin Sammis/West Neck Beach as well as Greenlawn Memorial Park, Heckscher Park, Ostego Park, Veterans Park, Crab Meadow Golf Course, Dix Hills Golf Course and Dix Hills Pool during the summer season.

The Town set up its first free sunscreen pilot program at Crab Meadow Beach last summer. The dispenser was filled with organic SPF 30 sunscreen for residents to use as they wished.

The dispensers would be managed daily by the town staff.

According to a 2017 survey of New York residents, 53 percent of those who don’t wear sunscreen fail to do so because they simply forget and up to 85 percent said they would use free public sunscreen if available.

Image via Town of Huntington: Councilwoman Susan A. Berland launches the free sunscreen dispenser pilot program at Crab Meadow Beach.

Editor's Note: The initial budget proposal said the first year cost was estimated to be $2,900.50 and the five-year cost of this program would be $12,2900.50. Berland's office has since sent out an updated version with revisions. The article has been update to reflect these changes.