State park officials are restricting access to Fields 4 and 5 of Robert Moses State Park this Fourth of July weekend because of beach erosion.

Beachgoers were greeted with long lines of cars and signs saying Fields 4 and 5 were full Thursday. Patrons will be redirected to other fields or to Jones Beach throughout the weekend.

NYS Parks Regional Director George Gorman says erosion this week hit 4 and 5 the hardest. As a consequence, officials are only permitting a certain amount of people onto those fields, leaving the parking lots less than half full.

However, officials say they don?t think they?ll have to turn people away this weekend, even with the diminished capacity, because of the rainy forecast.

They advise calling ahead at 631-669-0449 before heading to the beach to find out exactly what the restrictions for that day are.

To watch Chopper 12 footage of beach erosion on the South Shore, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.