The heat did not stop Long Islanders from soaking up every bit of summer sunshine they could.

Officials say 20,000 people packed Jones Beach Wednesday. There were 21,000 there the day before.

State parks and beaches were among a handful of places that remained open after Labor Day.

There was the option to cool off in the water at some Nassau and Suffolk beaches. Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow and Hither Hills beaches had lifeguard stands staffed. State parks and beaches will remain open until Sept. 17. Town of Hempstead has also extended the season until Sept. 24.

"We used to keep people out of the waters years and years ago because we didn't have lifeguards on duty after Labor Day. And you know what? That was just bad," says New York State Parks Regional Director George Gorman. "You can't fight with people who want to go swimming. So, we redid our budget through the year, so we have the funding, put the plan in place and implemented lifeguards on duty after Labor Day."

Long Beach is closed to swimming because there are no lifeguards on duty.

Jones Beach officials say they will consider keeping lifeguards on longer if the hot weather sticks around past Sept. 17.

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