News Flash

Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is operated by the Southampton Township Wildfowl Association (STWA), a non-profit which maintains the 300 acre nature preserve founded in 1934. At the preserve you can learn about local wildlife native to New York who, because of injury, are permanently housed in the Outdoor Wildlife Complex or enjoy over seven miles of trails.  The Charles Banks Belt Nature Center offers visitors a view of the Old Ice Pond and houses wildlife exhibits, live animals, a nature library, and gift shop. The Wildlife Refuge offers regular programs like weekly yoga classes, full moon walks, and educational events with the rehabbed animals housed at the complex. Dogs are not permitted (https://quoguewildliferefuge.org).

Connetquot River State Park, Oakdale

In honor of the New York State “I Love My Park Day” (https://www.ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day), I chose to highlight Connetquot River State Park Preserve located in Oakdale.  There were several volunteer opportunities across Long Island to help cleanup local State Parks today between 8:30am and 2pm, including at Connetquot River State Park.  This Park and Preserve contains nearly 3,500 acres of sandy Pine Barrens, wetlands, ponds and woodlands situated along the Connetquot River; including 50 miles of hiking, horseback riding, 4.4 miles of the LI Greenbelt Trail, cross-country skiing, nature trails and river trout fishing (by permit only).  The park, maintained by NYS Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and The Friends of Connetquot, offers nature programs for all ages. Dogs are NOT allowed at this State Park (https://parks.ny.gov/parks/connetquotriver).

David Weld Sanctuary, Nissequogue

Between the rainy periods today it was nice to venture into the David Weld Sanctuary for a few hours. This 125 acre park is owned and maintained by The Nature Conservancy and is open from 9am to 5pm.  This local gem is filled with varied terrain starting with the fields, which lead to the edge of the forest. While hiking through the forest you will come across the red maple swamp. Within the park there is a kettle hole and 50 foot bluffs overlooking Long Island Sound. While in the park you can spot various bird species including yellow warblers and red wing black birds. A great respite from the over 2.5 miles of hiking trails is a bench overlooking the crashing waves below dedicated to a predecessor of mine at the Legislature, Nora Bredes.  A beautiful quote from the bench not shown in the photo “As the waves shape themselves symmetrically from the cliff top, but to the swimmer among them are divided by steep gulfs and foaming crests” - Virginia Wolf  

Sans Souci County Park, Sayville

Sans Souci County Park is a 316 acre Nature Preserve located in Sayville, adjacent to the Suffolk County Girl Scout’s Camp Edey.  Sans Souci is the French phrase for "without worry.” While hiking in this pristine preserve you will be able truly understand the meaning of this phrase.   The winding well marked and easy to follow 3 miles of trails in this preserve offer shade from the sun, wind through hills in the northern section and show glimpses of the string of lakes in the southern section.  Until the mid-1800s the lakes surrounding Sans Souci County Park were continuous; locals built small dams sectioning off the lake to turn the area into cranberry bogs.   For those looking for a good geocaching site look no further; the preserve also has trail markers informing visitors about everything from plants to pollution, and water levels to fire damage. Leashed dogs are allowed at this county park.

Gardiner County Park, Bay Shore

Gardiner County Park, located in Bayshore, has beautiful views of the Great South Bay. This 231 acre park was previously owned by the Gardiner Family and that is how the park received its name. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. There is a small and large dog run and a dog obstacle course located near the parking lot. There is also a playground and picnic tables. The trails are well groomed mostly packed sand and stroller and wheel chair accessible. At the end of the main trail there are stunning views of the bridge to the Robert Moses Causeway. A great spot to take a moment and listen to the water, and smell the salt air. There are many birds who call this park home, such as the red winged blackbird. See how many you can identify while visiting the park! Since this park is located near the marsh it can get buggy so remember to wear mosquito repellent and check for ticks if walking through high grass. 

Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail

Today I am highlighting the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail. This is the perfect local trail for the runners and biking enthusiasts in our community. Both picturesque and well-maintained, the Greenway Trail is ideal for winding down after a long day or week and taking in some much-needed fresh air and greenery. It cannot be said enough just how beneficial a quick walk through a nature trail is to our overall wellness and this trail is great for people who aren’t avid hikers and need a nature escape. While it is hilly, the trail is both well-paved and safe for beginners. The Greenway Trail is maintained by The Friends of the Greenway (https://www.threevillagecommunitytrust.org/greenway/), a volunteer organization who host regular cleanups and beautification projects along the trail.

West Hills County Park, Melville

Old Field Farm County Park, Old Field

To kick off APADIM I am starting with  Old Field Farm County Park. The 0.4 of a mile crushed gravel multiuse trail provides visitors with stunning views of this historic 13 acre equestrian show ground and of West Meadow Creek.  Take a moment to sit on one of the benches (installed by a local boy scout) to enjoy the sunshine, and take in views of the creek, the Osprey’s flying overhead, and the wildlife that calls the marsh home. The western end of the park contains a small parking area which links to both West Meadow Beach and nearly two mile (down and back) paved trail maintained by the Town of Brookhaven.

The Farm is adjacent to 88 acres of protected wetlands overlooking Long Island Sound on the north and the West Meadow Creek wetlands to the south -- an area which has been designated “outstanding natural coastal area” (ONCA) by New York State. Long Island artists have found inspiration for their award-winning works in the Farm’s remarkable combination of man-made and natural beauty.

Long Island philanthropist Ward Melville built Old Field Farm, originally known as the North Shore Horse Show Grounds, in 1931. Melville commissioned architect Richard Haviland Smythe to create a unique equestrian facility located on a distinctive waterfront setting on Long Island’s North Shore. The stable complex is composed a Main Barn and courtyard, numerous free-standing stables and a large Old Fashioned wooden grandstand, all designed in the Colonial Revival style.

Equestrian and community activities are annually sponsored by Old Field Farm, Ltd., a nonprofit organization specifically created to restore and operate Old Field Farm County Park (https://longislandhorseshows.com).