12 for 12! This month, we visited the Blue Point Nature Preserve, a Town of Brookhaven park located in – you guessed it! – Blue Point. The Blue Point Preserve can best be described as a “back to basics” park. It’s not an overly complex location, but at the same time it’s easily accessible to everybody. The paths aren’t too long, the scenery is pleasant, and the wildlife (particularly the birds) are delightfully diverse. With its relatively central south shore location just a bit off of Montauk Highway, there’s no reason not to stop by and check out this hidden gem!
First among equals when to comes to Blue Point Preserve’s positive qualities is its accessibility. The parking lot is large enough to accommodate a dozen vehicles, and there’s a curb-cut at the front of the park. The trails are wide, flat and paved in their entirety, meaning they can be safely traversed with a stroller, wheelchair, or crutches. A small pavilion at the front of the park hosts half a dozen picnic tables, and there’s a little free library if you’re looking for some new reading material to enjoy on one of the several benches strategically placed around the park. Do be warned, though, there are NO bathroom facilities at this location, so make sure your business is done before you visit. Because of the nature of Blue Point Preserve’s trails, the park is a popular exercise spot, as it can be easily run or biked around. At a decent walking pace, the trails can be seen in their entirety over about half an hour to an hour, but there’s enough to see that you’ll want to take your time!
When it comes to the environment, Blue Point Preserve is primarily a grassland, with some forest around the perimeter. This is not the place to go to completely escape civilization, as you can see a school and power lines from the park. Within its boundaries, though, the preserve is a delightful habitat. The perfect place to go if you want to quickly experience one of Long Island’s most beautiful ecosystems. Birds are ample here, ranging from common species like Northern Mockingbirds and Song Sparrows, to more elusive ones like the Willow Flycatcher. At this time of year, numerous swallows live in boxes set up around the park and are constantly flitting about overhead.
Blue Point Preserve is the perfect park to go to when you’ve got that hankering for the outdoors, but don’t want to commit a whole day to hiking. Much akin to Patriots Preserve, Blue Point sets itself apart thanks to its habitat. It’s a microcosm of the fabulous Long Island grasslands, such as those at EPCAL, and can be enjoyed in short bursts or over a longer stretch of meandering. Whether you want some exercise, want to eat your lunch in a beautiful, serene environment, or want to get back to nature for half an hour after a long day at the office, Blue Point Preserve is well worth the trip!
By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society
