Gilgo Beach reopened Thursday following a three-month closure due to beach erosion.

State park officials say the shoreline was battered by winter storms.

Prior to the sand replenishment program, the ocean came up close to the dunes - making it impossible for four-wheel vehicles to access the beach.

"With the help of Army Corp of Engineers and Sen. Schumer, they've replenished this beach," says Erik Kulleseid, state commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "They've brought sand - 800,000 cubic yards of sand. That's 240 Olympic-size swimming pools."

Crews also removed the old Coast Guard station as part of the restoration project.

State park officials hope the improvements will mean a great summer season for the 250,000 people Gilgo Beach attracts every year.