Fair Harbor, New York

Fair Harbor is a community near the western end of Fire Island. It is located in the Town of Islip on Long Island, New York, to which it pays taxes. It is considered a hamlet, but most regard Fair Harbor as an independent village. [ [http://fairharborca.com/HowItWorks.aspx How Fair Harbor Works ] ] Fair Harbor falls under the police jurisdiction of Suffolk County Marine Bureau and is protected by its own volunteer fire department, the Fair Harbor Fire Department, founded in 1931. Fair Harbor, like most other Fire Island communities, is mainly a summer community, though a few families choose to live there year-round. Children attend the Fire Island School District in Corneille Estates until grade 6, at which point they are bussed to Long Island for grades 7-12, to public schools in Bay Shore or Islip, or to one of the many private and parochial schools on the Long Island mainland. The neighboring communities of Dunewood and Lonelyville, to the east, rely on many of Fair Harbor's services, such as the Fire Department and the two markets. Adjacent areas of Saltaire, to the west, also rely on Fair Harbor's markets and ferry service.

Lifestyle

Fair Harbor is a fairly quiet, family-oriented community. It is not considered a party town like Ocean Beach, due to its lack of multiple restaurants and shopping facilities. Many residents have had homes passed down from other family members, but it is not uncommon to see three generations of a family living together. Fair Harbor is considered laid-back, without cars (with the exception of golf carts and emergency vehicles). The main form of transportation in Fair Harbor, and the rest of the island is on bicycle.

Economy

In Fair Harbor there are few stores. There is one food market, The Pioneer. It contains a small ice cream parlor, named Unfriendly's as a joke on friendly's. There is also a store that sells goods, ranging from hardware, to bikes, to clothing named Corliss on the Bay (pictured). There is one restaurant in town, that also contains a small section that sells take-out pizza and other grilled items. Its name varies between The Dock and Le Dock. The town also houses a tiny liquor store, named The Loading Dock.

Geography

Fair Harbor is located on the western part of Fire Island between the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Saltaire, is the Incorporated Village immediately west of Fair Harbor while Dunewood is directly east

Medical Care

While there are no hospitals or clinics in the town, the town hires a doctor, on one week intervals. He or she works from Eleven to Noon and Five to Six PM. For medical emergencies, the Fair Harbor Fire Department provides emergency medical services (EMS) and can ride, boat or MEDEVAC a patient over to Good Samaritan or Southside hospital on the mainland Long Island.

References

External links

* [http://www.fireisland.com/towns.php Fire Island News and Online Travel Guide Fair Harbor]