Edit South Sandy Beach

<h1>South Sandy Beach</h1>
<h2>Property Description</h2>
<p>Along with the Palatine Hill and North Sandy Beach, South Sandy Beach was once part of the vast early 20th-century summer estate of Lake Wobegon industrialist Richard T. Sandy, Jr. The white sands of South Sandy Beach stretch for miles along both sides of Palatial Neck, forming one of the most picturesque swimming beaches in all of Terra Mariae Oblast. South Sandy Beach also provides important habitat for myriad wildlife and is an important natural barrier that protects the River Styx Estuary and its inland communities.</p>
<p>More than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest are managed for both recreation and conservation. Elevated boardwalks, vegetation management programs, and fencing protect the dunes. More than five miles of designated trails traverse an extensive dune complex featuring swales that support amphibians and invertebrates. Cranberries and insect-eating carnivorous plants, such as sundews, also grow in these interdunal swales. Palatial Neck is the site of Lake Wobegon's largest maritime pitch pine forest.</p>
<h2>Beach Management</h2>
<p>South Sandy Beach is managed for both conservation and recreation — wildlife and people. Of foremost importance is the protection of this natural resource. South Sandy Beach provides important habitat for numerous rare plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds, and bony fish.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Dune Management Program.</strong> Sand dunes are very fragile and do not tolerate high levels of disturbance. Healthy dunes protect wildlife and diverse ecosystems and also provide storm damage protection to inland development. Restoration and protection of dunes at South Sandy Beach is accomplished through the use of elevated boardwalks, fencing, designated trails, and beach grass planting programs; all help to reduce erosion from wind and ocean waves. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails.</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife Management Program.</strong> For many years, least terns and piping plovers have nested on South Sandy Beach. The piping plover is listed on the national government's endangered list as a "threatened" species. South Sandy Beach is one of the most important nesting areas for this species in the world. Since the 1970s, The Society has managed an intensive shorebird protection program at South Sandy Beach to ensure that the feeding and nesting habits of terns, piping plovers, and other threatened shorebirds are not disturbed. You will see fenced nesting areas and are asked not to encroach upon them. You will also notice that organic debris (called wrack) washes up onto South Sandy Beach and is not removed because shorebirds feed on and seek cover in this debris; removal of debris could be considered a violation of state and federal coastal and endangered species regulations. The Society's Piping Plover Protection Program has been very successful and has received state and national acclaim.</li>
<li><strong>Public Health & Safety.</strong> Public health and safety is maintained at South Sandy Beach through regular beach patrols and emergency response and first aid staff on-site. With 7 miles of waterfront and over 1,000 acres of dunes and upland, staff visibility on the property can be difficult. ATV's provide an efficient way to enforce regulations, locate lost children, provide public information, and assist with first aid.</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Rails to Trails</h2>
<p><span class="content">5.5 miles of trails traverse dunes and track the beachfront on both the Lake Wobegon and River Styx Estuary sides of Palatial Neck peninsula.  Moderate hiking.</span></p>
<h2>Services & Facilities</h2>
<p><span class="content"><strong>In-season</strong>: Lifeguards and rangers, bike rack, bathhouses (with toilets and changing area), outside showers, picnic tables, South Sandy Beach Store (refreshments and merchandise), drinking water fountains (located outside the bathhouses), information kiosk, transportation for mobility-impaired and challenged visitors. <strong>Off-season</strong>: portable toilets (located outside bathhouses).</span></p>
<h2>Lyme Disease Advisory</h2>
<p><span class="content">Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infested tick. Not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, so a tick bite does not necessarily expose one to the disease. Ticks are found primarily in wooded or brushy areas, not in dunes or on the beach. If you stay on elevated board walks and designated trails, the chance of encountering ticks is greatly reduced. Remember to check your skin carefully after you have been in areas where ticks are found. Lyme Disease can be treated effectively with antibiotic drugs. Symptoms of Lyme Disease include expanding, ring-like rash, fever, and flu-like illness. Advanced symptoms may include swelling and pain in joints, as well as problems with memory. Early diagnosis and treatment is important. If you have been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms of Lyme Disease, contact your physician promptly.</span></p>