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

It’s the middle of summer which means it’s hot, we’re months away from the next songbird migration, and ticks are aplenty. So, what’s better than a day at the beach? Smith Point County Park comprises a large stretch of the Fire Island coastline in the Town of Brookhaven. Thus, unlike many of the south shore’s beaches, the water here is actually part of the Atlantic Ocean proper, not the Great South Bay. The position of Fire Island as a barrier island results in some interesting habitat, and plenty of opportunities for activities beyond the typical beach-going fare.

Of course, we have to start this post by bringing up the most important consideration when deciding if you want to visit Smith Point: it costs money to park your vehicle! Either you pay on arrival for a one-time use, or you can buy the County Parks’ Green Key pass to access this and other parks. Once you’re in the park, there’s ample parking. If you’re interested in camping out on the beach, there’s plenty of space available for mobile homes and RVs, though if you’re looking for an authentic wilderness experience this isn’t the place to camp. RVs and mobile homes are packed so close together that it feels less like a campground and more like an ad hoc, miniature city.

Smith Point County Park is a beach, and so, of course, you can do all of the things you expect to be able to do on the beach. Hop in the water, soak up some rays, fly a kite, toss a frisbee, read a book, et cetera, et cetera. If you want a quality beach, this is a great option. But Smith Point is also a county park, and so the question arises: can you engage in the typical park activities here?

When it comes to hiking, Smith Point offers the beach, sporadic boardwalks, and paths where trucks are allowed to drive in the area around the RVs. There’s extensive wild habitat, from grassy dunes that are the nesting site of Piping Plovers and Least Terns, to vast swaths of pines. Thanks to the proximity of the pines to the boardwalks, you can examine these and other plants up close.

The unique habitat offered by dunes also offers up some unique fauna relative to many of Long Island’s inland parks. As mentioned, Piping Plovers and Least Terns nest all throughout the park, though on this visit I unfortunately couldn’t spot any of either. Gulls of several species are all over, including the magnificent Great Black-backed Gull, the largest species in the world, which is less common the further inland you go. In the flat, grassier areas near the campgrounds you can spot plenty of Killdeer, a unique species of plover that prefers terrestrial habitats.

When visiting the county park, you can also take some time to head over to the Fire Island National Seashore Visitor Center. This tower overlooks both Smith Point and the National Seashore, and is filled with numerous educational aids for people of all ages. At the base of the center sits a piece of a whale’s skull, giving an illuminating sense of the vastness of living creatures. As with the novel habitat of the county park, the visitor center allows for unique educational experiences for those who want to pursue their curiosities outdoors.

When looking at the totality of Long Island’s many national, state, county, and town parks, one has to remember and value the diversity in the locales that are included in the overall preserve. It is thanks to the collection of a wide variety of habitat, and a wide variety of recreational opportunities, that Long Island can possess a healthy, vibrant environment. Smith Point County Park offers plenty of recreational value, with all the usual beach activities as well as ample space for fishing, camping, and biking. It also provides a window into an interesting, essential habitat, with the potential to observe unique and/or at-risk species. The nearby visitor center provides even more in-depth information on the local flora and fauna, and the park has clean, accessible restroom facilities. If you don’t mind paying the monetary cost of admission, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer day.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

This month, our 12 for 12 hike is to a location a little different than usual. While this series has covered parks and preserves along Long Island’s shores, small parks and preserves, and new parks and preserves, it’s never covered a place quite like Shorefront. Shorefront Park lies at the end of Rider Avenue, just south of downtown Patchogue Village. At a glance, it seems quite pithy compared to any of the other locales we’ve covered, but a closer study reveals a park that is of titanic importance.

What makes Shorefront Park stand out amongst the many parks and preserves around Long Island is the fact that it is a “living shoreline.” You might point out that any preserve that sits on the coast is a living shoreline, and that’s technically true, but what that term means is a bit different when looking at this park. Nearby residences and businesses are clearly visible from Shorefront Park. All you have to do is turn a little bit one way or the other, and you’ll see plenty of development. Then, you turn back to the park, and you see a lengthy stretch of natural grassland and marsh, protected from Patchogue Bay only by a long line of rocks.

How did this formation come to be? One might think that it’s natural, but it was in fact carefully engineered to mimic nature. Just a few years ago, there was an aging wooden bulkhead that performed less-than-admirably in trying to prevent flooding from the bay. At that time, the Patchogue Village community made a decision to try something new: a living shoreline. The line of rocks was in fact carefully engineered to be the right height and material to prevent flooding, and the rocks used have the right shapes to be modular. Should a higher wall be needed, more rocks can be added. Within the rocks, there’s a vast array of native grasses, leading to a salt marsh and the Little Creek, which was widened and extended so it actually connected to the bay. This habitat, and the field behind it, is host to a diverse array of flora as well as fauna – from Red-winged Blackbirds, to Killdeer, to Green Herons – and makes for a very pleasant sensory experience as you walk along it.

It’s not just pretty scenery and wise policy that you’ll find at Shorefront Park. Mascot Dock, which lies just beside the park, is a prime fishing spot, with several people casting lines during my visit. On the edge of the park, between it and the dock, there’s a kayak launch, and despite the rainy weather the water was calm, and people were taking advantage of that fact. Shorefront Park, is not too far from the Carmans River, and so if you’re looking for a good workout (plus a chance to see the whole of the living shoreline from a new angle) why not head east and visit one of Long Island’s primary watersheds? Just be sure to wear a life vest!

Shorefront Park is not a long walk, perhaps ten minutes from end to end at a measured pace, but it is one of the most insightful walks you can have on Long Island. If you live in a coastal community and have noticed the aging flood infrastructure, visit Shorefront Park. See the novel, progressive, environmentally conscious solution to an age-old problem, and bring it back to your community. At Shorefront Park, one can see a future where Long Island is bordered not by ugly construction projects, doomed to decay and fail, but by living shorelines which use the principles of nature to achieve the same end more efficiently. Projects which make Long Island not just safer, but also greener and more beautiful are no-brainers, and if you visit Shorefront Park, I think you’ll agree.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

This month, we headed out to Hubbard County Park, the place “Where the Pine Barrens Meets the Sea.” If that rings a bell, then you must be an avid viewer of our TV show! Hubbard County Park is the location featured in the episode just mentioned, which will be returning to Cablevision’s Public Access channel, starting in June. If you tune into the episode and think to yourself, “Gee, I’d love to go there,” then this review is for you!

Hubbard County Park is tucked away at the northwest corner of Hampton Bays, just a few minutes from either that downtown, or Riverhead’s. The entrance to the park is quite well concealed, but if you follow the directions on the park’s official website (https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Our-Parks/Hubbard-County-Park) you should be able to find it without too much hassle. Parking is minimal, but there’s enough space on the roadside to fit most vehicles. A gate blocks entry for anything but foot traffic, and though you could maneuver a bicycle through here, this is not the place for biking. Nor is it suited for anyone on crutches or in a wheelchair. Hubbard is one of the wilder parks we’ve visited in this series, and that lack of curation unfortunately means a lack of accessibility. This is a place meant only for proper, real-deal hiking.

The thing you’ll notice when first stepping past the gate, however, is that what you’re walking on looks quite a lot like a road, or even an extended driveway. It’s not paved, but it’s wide. This makes for a stress-free strolling experience, as the wide dirt trail is as tick-free as possible. Dense forest on either side hosts numerous squirrels, chipmunks, and birds, with the highlight of this trip being the Great Crested Flycatcher, a striking migratory bird with a distinct, frog-like call.

Eventually, the long, straight driveway-like trail will lead you to an actual driveway. A large house stands in the center of the preserve, and this is a private residence so please don’t trespass. The house, I understand, is home to someone who works as a sort of caretaker for the park, but it is in no way a visitor center. I’ll take this moment to note that there are no restroom facilities at Hubbard, so do all your business before you make the trip out here.

Just past the private residence is a sign marking the continuation of the trail. You’ll notice here that the trail is covered in thick, ankle-high grass and, yes, this means exactly what you think it means. Ticks are aplenty from here on out, so be sure to pull your socks up high, and apply some extra spray if you’ve carried it with you. Staying in the middle of the trail will help, as will constant mobility, but with how dense and grassy the trail is you’re almost guaranteed to get at least one on you at this time of the year.

If you brave the ticks, though, your reward is a truly remarkable ecological phenomenon. The farther along you walk, the more the forest thins. Tall grass sets in, and the soil becomes more  moist, almost muddy. And, finally, you come emerge at the water’s edge. Flanders Bay is vast and positively gorgeous, with an Osprey nest right at the start, and a trail that can lead you further out. This was where I turned back, however, I was not as equipped for the excess of mud as I thought I was. With all the rain that had fallen in the week prior, this part of the park was likely muddier than usual. Still, if your hope is to go as far out as you can, it’s a good idea to put on some good boots.

Hubbard County Park is one of the wildest parks on Long Island. It’s an ecologist’s dream, as you can see the transition from forest, to marsh, to bay, and all the flora and fauna that come with it. The trail is a straight shot from one end to the other, with only a single fork in the road early on, making it nearly impossible to get lost. So long as you’re prepared to deal with a handful of ticks, you’re in for scenic views, some delightful critters, and a nice bit of exercise, too!

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Why not EPCAL? That’s the question I want to try to answer in this month’s 12 for 12, which is also a crossover with our weekly posts about The Best of the Rest posts. EPCAL, of course, is one of the largest parcels that we identified as part of that initiative as one that desperately needs to be permanently preserved. It stands out from many of the other parcels partly due to its ecology – it is a vast grassland in the midst of succession, rather than a fully-grown Pine Barrens forest – and partly because it is already owned by local government, in this case the Town of Riverhead, and entirely accessible to the public. You can go to EPCAL right now, and enjoy its sweeping vistas and unique wildlife, but at any time this place could be sold off and developed. But why should it? When we talk about places that should be set aside for conservation, why not EPCAL?

The gate to access EPCAL sits just beside the point where Line Road intersects with Grumman Boulevard, in Calverton. The name of the street gives a hint as to the place’s history. Many years ago, it was an airstrip where the Northrop Grumman Corporation operated an airfield from which fighter jets bound for the US Navy were tested. The airstrip is still there, complete with the occasional traffic cone and paint lines delineating the fire lane, but the stone below is cracked, and there are no more fighter jets tearing through the sound barrier above. Although the strip is vast, the grasslands that surround it are vaster yet, and walking alone along the edge of the wild, I was amazed at the feelings it inspired. Where once instruments of remarkable violence were sharpened, and the so-called “art” of war refined, there is now only a fading memory as Mother Nature works slowly and steadily to reclaim her own.

Besides the grass seeping through the cracks in the stone, the progression of nature can be seen in the surrounding grasslands. Cedars and other early-succession trees dot the area. The reason the grasslands came to be at all was because Grumman mowed the area. Now that it’s been left untouched for so long, the grasses – and the species that rely upon them – are thriving and, if left untouched for many years more – perhaps hundreds, if not thousands – the land will eventually return to something akin to the dense Pine Barrens forest it once was. Not only is it a remarkable and unique ecosystem, but it offers an opportunity for hands-on education. It’s one thing to read about how ecological succession works in a textbook, but to see it in action is another thing entirely.

Thanks to the extensive grassland habitat, the wildlife you’ll spot in EPCAL is quite distinct from what you’ll see in many other places on Long Island. If you go during the winter, you’re likely to spot Short-eared Owls, though I was unfortunately unable to spot any, as it’s late in the season for them. But I was greeted by a pair of American Kestrels, the smallest raptor in North America, and along the way I saw several more. Roughly the size of a dove, these birds of prey frequently hover over the grass, scanning for small rodents. The other defining bird for EPCAL is the Eastern Meadowlark, the melodious song of which was a constant as I walked up and down the airstrip. I saw a sparrow, too, but it was the elusive Vesper Sparrow, a species that prefers grasslands to forests, unlike many of the species you’re more likely familiar with. Personally, when I think of grasslands, I think of the sweeping savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa, or the plains of the American Midwest, but the Pine Barrens is a mosaic of different biomes and it’s absolutely revelatory to step into a place that feels uncharacteristic for Long Island. By spending just a few hours here, it becomes clear that the grasslands of EPCAL could not exist anywhere other than the Long Island Pine Barrens. They’re a fundamental piece of the puzzle, and yet EPCAL has been kept in a box, leaving a massive hole in the Pine Barrens.

In terms of accessibility, EPCAL is a bit different than anywhere else we’ve covered in 12 for 12 since it’s not a proper park. But, there’s a decent shoulder beside Grumman Boulevard where a few cars can park, and since the area where you’re meant to walk is a former airstrip, it’s extensively paved. Thus, ticks aren’t a huge concern, as long as you keep a respectful distance from the grass, and there aren’t any seriously steep inclines to worry about. Since the walk is so easy, it’s easy to walk for a long time and soak in the wilderness all around you.

EPCAL is special. While there are several parks that preserve swaths of Long Island’s grassland (such as Mashomack and Blue Point Preserve), nowhere else can the immensity of such a habitat overwhelm you. Few places can teach you more about ecological phenomena, local history, and the resilience of the natural world, despite what we humans seem intent on putting it through. It would be very hard to visit EPCAL and walk away unconvinced that it should be permanently preserved for conservation purposes. It just begs the question: why not EPCAL?

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we’re heading west to the Suffolk County Environmental Center (SCEC), in Islip. Operated by the Seatuck Environmental Association, this charming little preserve packs some great variety in a small area. It provides a decent workout without stretching on forever, making it perfect for those of you looking to squeeze some outdoor time into your busy schedules. 

Tucked away in the marshes south of Islip, the Suffolk County Environmental Center immediately offers ample parking, some wide dirt trails, and a sizeable open field all around the Scully Estate. Given the season, the estate wasn’t open when I visited, so if you’re interested in this historic building, call ahead of time ((631) 581-6908). The early trails and the field offer an ample view of the surrounding forest, which is host to various sparrows, woodpeckers, and other birds typical of the habitat. A small bridge over a thin creek (which at the time of visiting was mostly dried out) marks the entrance to the forest trails proper, and here’s where I have to give a small warning. The Center’s trails are difficult relative to their short length. Roots cover much of the forest floor, and once you enter the marsh the trails become incredibly narrow, to the point where you’re required to walk in a single file and might even have to sidle your way along at various points. This is not a preserve where you can ignore your footwork, and not the place for a breezy stroll. While I called this a “warning,” that’s not exactly accurate. Difficult trails like this are some of the most enjoyable. They force you to be intentional about where and how you walk, and with that intention comes greater connectedness to your surroundings. The SCEC’s difficulty is a core part of its beauty.

And how beautiful it is! If you’re a fan of Long Island’s marshes (and who isn’t?) then this preserve will be right up your alley. Much of the trail is made up of boardwalks resting right on the water. The constant give of the terrain beneath your feet is a joy, and the view of a marsh on one side and a pond on the other is superb. In the warmer months, this place is full of egrets, herons, and even some ibises. Even in the late winter, though, I saw a kingfisher, some ducks, and my first Red-winged Blackbird of the year. It’s hard to get a better sign of the coming spring than that!

If you’ve followed along with this series, I think you can probably see that there’s a pattern to Long Island’s numerous nature preserves. They can all be placed into two broad categories: mini-vacations that demand your attention for hours and, and short and sweet places that pack a lot into a small space. The Suffolk County Environmental Center certainly falls into the latter category, and it’s a remarkably good example of it. With multiple habitats including a wide variety of plant and animal species, it’s the ideal place to get a sense of the scope of Long Island’s ecology. The trail also provides a satisfying challenge, without forcing you to commit hours on end to master it. By striking this balance, this preserve cements itself as the perfect place for an experienced hiker who’s schedule has made it impossible to visit a Mashomack or Connetquot, or for someone looking for something a bit more intense than a Swan River or Patriots Preserve. To sum up: this preserve fills in a niche, and does it very well, making it an easy place to recommend.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we’re visiting Shelter Island, nestled in the Peconic Estuary, and its environmental jewel, Mashomack Preserve! This preserve, owned and managed by our friends at The Nature Conservancy, has over ten miles of trails which cut through several different habitats. It provides incredible views, a challenging yet rewarding workout, and one of the best guest facilities of any park in the region!

Before we get into the merits of the preserve itself, we need to discuss the elephant in the room: Mashomack Preserve is located on Shelter Island. This means that if you don’t live on Shelter Island, you’ll need to pay $20 or more to get a ferry across. By default, Mashomack Preserve has the largest financial barrier to entry of any preserve we’ve discussed, and of any preserve we will discuss. Unless you’re planning to spend a full day at the preserve, it would behoove you to do some research on other activities on offer on Shelter Island before you make the trip. There are places to eat, a public library (currently undergoing renovation), various historical sites, and a nice bookstore, to name a few. Spend some time planning so you can get the most out of your ferry ticket!

Once you’ve crossed the channel and are on dry land again, it doesn’t take long to reach Mashomack, assuming, anyway, that you came via the south ferry. If you’re coming from the north fork, then you’ll have to drive down to the southern end of Route 114. The parking lot is large enough to host about two dozen cars and has a handicapped-accessible zone, as well as a pair of EV chargers. Mashomack’s information center (which, unfortunately, was closed during my visit) is extensive, featuring interactive learning stations for kids, as well as a nice sitting area with a large window looking over a bird feeder that’s equipped with a microphone, so you can listen in as nuthatches and chickadees dine and dash. Most important of all, are the bathrooms (which were, thankfully, open during my visit), as these are spacious, clean, equipped with changing tables, and use waterless composting toilets! Every inch of the facility is designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and the fact that it’s easily the nicest facility of any preserve we’ve visited is a testament to the efficacy of an environmental philosophy. Just across from the guest facility is a small boardwalk trail, which provides some nice views and a nearly effortless walk. Even if you’re on Shelter Island for something else, it’s worth stopping at Mashomack for a few minutes to take advantage of these highly accessible activities.

Onto the trails themselves. If you consult the map shown above, on this visit, I started on the Joan C. Coles Trail (Brown), continued to its end, then took the left loop of the Red Trail around until the start of the Green Trail. I followed that to the Yellow Trail, did that entire loop, then went back along the Green Trail, completed the outer loop of the Red Trail, returning to the Coles Trail and then the parking lot. In total, this was over three miles of hiking, and while the trails were wide and flat (usually consisting either of dirt or wood chips), there were a lot of elevation changes, especially on the Yellow Trail and at the time of writing (the day after the hike), my hamstrings are still a bit sore! While the hike is not challenging in terms of the quality of the path (on the day I went it was nearly ten below freezing, and so there were substantial patches of ice at various points, but I can’t hold that against the preserve), it is a bit of a challenge in terms of one’s own physical ability. To compensate for this, there are numerous benches placed across the trail, and there were several more benches in front of a shed beside the parking lot, ready to be deployed. If you’re looking for some decent exercise, Mashomack will certainly provide it, but if you pace yourself, you can also make the journey a bit less strenuous.

With a preserve as vast as Mashomack, you’ll be able to find numerous habitats on your walk. While much of the terrain is either forest or wetland (neither of which were especially active with animal life in this frigid season), there are also several meadows, the largest of which is encompassed by the Yellow Trail. Pushing ahead to this meadow elevated the hike from a very solid, albeit somewhat standard, experience to one of, if not the, best hikes of the 12 for 12 series. As you step out of the forest and see before you the vast, rolling grasslands, your breath is immediately taken away. It’s an almost otherworldly experience, as the meadow is tucked away within the forest and so you feel as though you’ve stumbled across this forgotten grove, lost to time. Of course, there are helpful informative signs and trail markers aplenty (Mashomack has some of the best marked trails of any preserve), but this hardly distracts from the immense natural beauty. If you can brave the cold, you’ll find numerous winter visitors flocking to the meadow such as the Yellow-rumped Warbler and Golden-crowned Kinglet, as well as other elusive species like the Hermit Thrush and our very own State Bird, the Eastern Bluebird! As an avid birder always angling to see as many species as possible, Mashomack more than delivered. The fact that I only explored a small portion of the preserve is almost unbelievable to me, as the portion I experienced could provide the same level of joy on a dozen hikes. As with so many things, the best preserves leave you wanting more. That Mashomack can do that while having more is an incredible achievement.

While there’s no question that Mashomack Preserve presents some serious barriers to entry – both financially and, potentially, physically – it is more than worth the effort of visiting. Between the diverse habitat, the stunning vistas, and the extensive wildlife, Mashomack Preserve is a jewel well worth beholding. It’s a testament to the hard work of the Nature Conservancy, and a gift to all Long Islanders.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! We’re starting off the New Year right with a visit to the DEC’s Ridge Conservation Area. This area is prime Pine Barrens land, and it sits just beside some of our “Best of the Rest” properties.  In addition, it provides a really great overview of the diverse array of habitats that can be found in the Pine Barrens. The Ridge Conservation Area also has a great trail for exercising and bird watching – some of the best activities to ring in 2025!

Before we discuss the park itself, I want to highlight a special program: the First Day Hikes. Every year, on January 1^st (and sometimes a few subsequent days), the New York State Parks and the DEC host guided hikes at various preserves around the state. For this 12 for 12, I went on a First Day Hike at the Ridge Conservation Area. In addition to being led by a knowledgeable park ranger, who discussed everything from the history of the conservation area to the ongoing work combatting the Southern Pine Beetle, the First Day hike also included a handful of freebies (including a nice pair of gloves, and some bandanas), as well as a raffle for a hiking gift card (though, in years past, the prize was an Empire Pass). If you don’t mind heading down the trails with a few dozen people, then there’s a lot to love about First Day Hikes, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t start planning for January 1, 2026!

When it comes to the Ridge Conservation Area itself, there’s a lot to love, regardless of whether you’re hiking in a group or by yourself. The trails are decently wide, and largely free of roots and rocks, meaning you’re not likely to trip. There are substantial changes in elevation over the course of the trail, which makes a hike at even a modest pace a really fulfilling workout. And, if you’re unable to handle the longer 2.5 mile loop, there are branching paths that can shorten your hike to little more than a mile. There are a wide range of habitats to explore, from grasslands in the midst of succession, to small ponds with boardwalks allowing you an unrestricted view of a large pond, to dense pine forests. It’s an ecological tour de force for the Pine Barrens and for Long Island at large, and that alone makes it worth the visit.

One of the things you’ll notice if you visit the Ridge Conservation Area is that its forests have been ravaged by the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB). It’s undoubtedly a depressing sight (made all the more so when on a guided hike since the guide will undoubtedly point out all the ways in which trees can suffer and die) but ultimately a necessary one. If one is to remain focused and motivated in the work to combat the climate change that brought the SPBs here, the rampant development that is devastating so much of Long Island, and all of the other ills that work to destroy the planet we all share, then one must see first-hand the toll these things are taking. For as harrowing a sight as a forest of dead and dying trees can be, there is a beauty to be found in it. Life persists, even if it’s in different forms. Brown Creepers, perfectly camouflaged, skitter up and down the bare trunks. Hairy Woodpeckers find nesting cavities in the hardwood. And fungi of all kinds break down the trees, the essence of which energizes a different form of life, which itself can be the foundation of a whole new ecosystem.

The Ridge Conservation Area is a great place to visit. Whether you’re an ecologist looking for some unusual organisms, a conservationist looking for a source of righteous fury, or someone looking for a pleasant place to exercise, this preserve can provide you with what you’re looking for. And, odds are, it will provide you with plenty you weren’t looking for, too.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

For the final installment of 2024’s 12 for 12 posts, we’re going to a somewhat unknown preserve. The Wading River Marsh Preserve lies just beside the Shoreham marsh, the grandest of the Best of the Rest properties. As such, it’s a perfect distillation of what makes that portion of the Shoreham property so special. Even as winter neared (and has, at the time of posting, now arrived), and leaf litter cluttered the ground, I found some profound beauty at this preserve, despite its small size. To think that hundreds of acres just like these could be preserved in the very near future is extraordinarily exciting.

It’s important to note that the Wading River Marsh Preserve is not very accessible by car. The entire preserve is sandwiched between private residences, and while that’s largely unnoticed as you walk the trails, parking is a different beast entirely. At best, there’s room for two cars in front of this preserve, which lies just off Sound Road. While the park’s relative obscurity means that the odds are pretty good for a prospective visitor to get a spot, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that you may need to park down the road at a public parking lot and walk to it. But if you do need to take those extra steps, know that it’s very much worth it for an authentic Pine Barrens experience.

Despite being squished within a residential area, Wading River Marsh Preserve is one of the most authentically natural parks we’ve discussed in this series. This has some drawbacks – the eastern trail, in particular, is covered in roots, meaning you have to carefully watch your step – but the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience. The best parks are those that allow you to feel as though you’re stepping into another time and place, a place removed from the ills of industrial modernity, and Wading River Marsh Preserve surely succeeds on this front.

The eastern loop is, as I’ve said, a more difficult walk than the western loop, thanks to the many roots that cover the trail. But for this difficulty you’re rewarded with a remarkable view of the eponymous marsh which is truly grand in its scope. Though you can see some signs of human construction in the distance, their attempt at encroachment feels miniscule compared to the vast swaths of marsh grass. Toward the end of this trail, I saw plenty of resident and migratory birds, including Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Swamp Sparrows.

While the eastern loop is a very fine trail, and the scenic view at the end is well worth the walk down it, the western loop proved to be even greater. For one thing, the trail is far less rooted than its counterpart. While leaf litter obscured a fair bit of the path at points, that’s a consequence of the season and is not something I’m going to hold against any park. There’s also a decently extensive (relative to the length of the trail) boardwalk through some of the marsh that allows you to feel like you’ve truly gone into it, providing a close-up look at the grass and the water flowing beneath your feet. Near the end of the loop, there’s another nice view out onto the marsh, as well as more of the forest in the distance, and on this visit, I had the privilege of seeing a pair of Bald Eagles sitting in those trees. They were, sadly, too far away to get a decent picture, but their beauty and majesty wasn’t diminished a single iota, even over that great distance.

The Wading River Marsh Preserve is not a park for everybody. It’s difficult to get to, and difficult to walk. But if you’re physically able, this is a place to go that hits that sweet spot between being a manageable distance while also feeling like a true escape into the natural world. Stepping down from the sign marking the entrance to the sign marking the crossroads, from which you choose to go either west or east, you begin to feel transported, and that feeling only intensifies as you proceed. Trees tower over you, casting shadows even now, when their leaves have fallen. Then, the world opens up and you experience the grandeur that can be found on Long Island, if only you go out and look. It’s those moments that make hiking the Long Island Pine Barrens so worthwhile, and it’s the mark of a truly great experience.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we’re heading over to Great River to visit the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. This finely curated state park provides a relaxing, yet educational experience with some truly beautiful sights. But just what is an arboretum? And how does this park stack up against others of its kind? To find out, keep reading!

The word “arboretum” simply refers to a botanical garden dedicated to trees, and that definition alone should provide a good sense of what a visitor to Bayard will see at the park. Paved and gravel paths provide innumerable options for walking through the carefully maintained grounds. While all state parks possess a capable crew of employees to care for them, you’re much more likely to see employees at work throughout the Bayard property than at any other state park. Bayard is not the sort of park to visit if you want a genuine natural experience. Different species of trees appear with predictable regularity and can be identified with helpful placards placed on or below them. Much of the grass has been mowed, so even in the warmest months there is little to fear from ticks. Benches are plentiful, meaning it is only too easy to take a load off and relax either among the trees, or alongside the Connetquot River.

An important consideration to note regarding Bayard Cutting Arboretum is that there is an $8 fee on weekends. Parking is ample, though, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot if you squeeze in a visit on a weekday (as I did for this review). The core of the park is centered around an estate once owned by Olivia James, who gave up the land to create the arboretum. Guided tours are available for this property, and if you’re interested you should reach out to the park itself. A relatively recent addition to the park is a new miniature visitor center, located just beside the parking lot. Besides some very nice, private bathrooms, this building contains a “museum” of various tree species found on the property, and has many items that can be purchased, the proceeds of which go to support the park. There’s a wide array of books, from simple tree guides to New York Review of Books Classics, as well as various foodstuffs, including eggs which come from the park’s very own hatchery! And feel free to ask the employees stationed there for any more information about the park.

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park is something of an anomaly among the New York State Parks system. It’s the only arboretum, for one, meaning it provides an experience you literally cannot find anywhere else. And in providing that experience, it offers a new way into exploring Long Island’s environment. Every visit to a park (whether it’s a National, State, County or Town property) is educational in some way, but Bayard gives that aspect of the state parks a very welcome oomph. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to study and appreciate the diverse potential of trees on Long Island, or if you just want to kick back and relax without having to worry about ticks. The paved and gravelly paths are also great if you want to get some exercise in. In short, despite its specialized nature relative to the other NY State Parks, Bayard Cutting Arboretum manages to maintain a broad appeal, and that’s the mark of a truly great park.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society