Sometimes, you don’t have the time to go for a long trek through the Pine Barrens. Sometimes, you don’t want to have to worry about ticks. Sometimes, you’re incredibly busy preparing for an anniversary gala. When one or all of these things are true, but you still want to get outside and enjoy some of Long Island’s natural beauty, you need to visit a place like Frank Melville Memorial Park.
Frank Melville Memorial Park is unusual in that it’s not owned and operated by any governmental body. Instead, it’s a private park, open to the public and owned by the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation. This aspect of the park gives it a unique aspect, as the park is not only a nature preserve comprising over twenty acres of forest and pond habitat, but it also includes some historic buildings. This gives a walk a different flavor, for lack of a better word, when compared to other preserves, and if you appreciate Long Island history it’s a wonderful addition.
While the park itself does not have an especially large parking lot (the capacity is about half a dozen cars), there is ample roadside space in the area around the park, plus well-marked crosswalks, making it easy to access. Regarding the trails, there are two main areas, a roughly half-mile trail around a pond which is completely paved and dirt trails that head deeper into the surrounding forest which are wide, but which are best tackled if you’re properly dressed to avoid ticks. If you want a stress-free visit, stick to the main loop around the pond and enjoy a couple of laps around. It’s perfect for a workout or a casual stroll, and bicycles are permitted only on these paved paths. Benches are placed periodically, allowing you to sit and enjoy the song of the goldfinches which fly above, or the dance of the swallows flitting around the surface of the pond.
Something immediately apparent about Frank Melville Park is that it’s exceedingly popular with dog-owners. There were at least a dozen furry friends going on walks within a single hour. This makes it a great place to bring your own canine companion or anjoy a more social experience. Opening a conversation with the question “Can I pet your dog?” and the answer, “Yes you can!” can make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. However, the level of noise that results from numerous dogs walking along a short path means that this is not the best place for thoughtful contemplation, or a study of the local wildlife.
Frank Melville Memorial Park is the perfect place for a social stroll, a quick workout, or a walk with your dog. Its healthy mixture of well-kept habitat, ample seating, and paved trails makes it perfect for nature lovers of all levels of ability. Situated near the historic areas of Setauket, and possessing historic structures of its own, means there’s a lot for lovers of Long Island’s heritage to enjoy. Though it’s a privately-owned preserve, it perfectly fills a gap left by some public parks, and that it is a publicly-accessible park is a great gift to all Long Islanders.
By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society
