12 for 12! This week, we’re heading all the way to the western side of Suffolk County to visit Belmont Lake State Park. Situated in the Town of Babylon, this park is a prime locale for recreation of all kinds. From walking, to running, to biking, to fishing and more, there’s ample opportunity to get a good workout, or to just take it easy for the day.

If there’s one word that could describe Belmont State Park, it’s “excess.” But in this case, that’s far from a bad thing. Whether it’s the gigantic parking lot, the wide dirt trails that can soothe the fears of even the most tick-averse, to numerous benches strewn about the park, there is an excess of everything you would hope to see at a park, and that means the whole experience of visiting Belmont is exceptionally accommodating.

From the point of view of a hiker, Belmont is a very solid place to visit. Many of the trails are wide and with a dirt base, but there are also narrower, grassy trails for those of you brave enough to take them. While maps are few and far between at this park, that’s not too big of an issue since the whole thing is situated around the eponymous lake. Keeping the lake in mind makes it easy enough to follow a loop around the park, which takes anywhere from an hour to two, depending on your pace. Perhaps the most novel aspect of these trails, though, is the presence of exercise stations at regular intervals across the main trail’s entire length. And that brings us back to the core “theme” of the park, if parks can be said to have themes: recreation. The wide, relatively smooth trails mean you can walk, run or bike with relative ease. You can fish in the lake, you can walk your dog (so long as it’s always leashed), and there’s enough wide-open space to play any number of sports.

Aesthetically, Belmont is a typical Long Island forest, and the lake is a typical lake. While this means it doesn’t grant the stunning view of Peconic Bay like Elizabeth A. Morton, or the rich grasslands of even a smaller park like Blue Point Preserve, it does mean that it perfectly captures that desire so many of us hold deep down to just get lost in the woods. Visiting in October, with the Fall foliage in full effect, the woods were bathed in rays of gold. It’s the perfect time and place to walk slowly, to soak in the world around you. The squirrels rummaging through the leaf litter, searching for good places to stash their winter store. The wind gently caressing the treetops so that they sing their soft little tune. The obnoxious honking of dozens and dozens of geese resting on the lake. So many magical moments can happen in the great outdoors, if only you make the choice to go find them.

Belmont Lake State Park is a “bread-and-butter“ park. It’s got trees, it’s got water, and all the flora and fauna you might expect given those two things. The park explicitly encourages healthy practices, but whether you want to exercise or relax (or something in between) it will accommodate you. From fishing, to biking, to a picnic with loved ones, there’s ample reason to visit this park. And, best of all, if you visit prior to April 1, there’s no entry fee! So, there’s no excuse not to give this park a try.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

Sometimes, you don’t have the time to go out for a nice, long hike in one of Long Island’s gargantuan parks. Whether it be Connetquot or Heckscher State Park, or even Elizabeth A Morton National Wildlife Refuge, many of our Island’s preserves require a lengthy commitment in order to enjoy them to their fullest. Whether that time is taken up by the hike, by the commute, or by the preparation as you bundle yourself up to ward off ticks, a trip to a park often requires setting aside a whole day. But what if you don’t have that kind of time? What if you’ve got a 9 to 5, or you’re heading back to school, or you’re getting ready for a big, annual gala (hint, hint!)? Well, that’s when you take a trip over to Swan River Preserve.

Over the course of 2024’s run of 12 for 12, we’ve focused a lot on accessibility and convenience. These things are important because most people are not experienced naturalists. To send someone who just wants to dip their proverbial toes into the wide sea of Long Island’s extensive system of protected land to one of the larger, more daunting parks would be irresponsible. Swan River Preserve is bar none the greatest entry-level park we’ve covered in this series, and perhaps the greatest on Long Island. This Town of Brookhaven preserve is located right on Montauk Highway, just outside Patchogue Village. If you’re heading to or from the village for a business meeting at one of its restaurants, or simply passing through, you’ve almost certainly caught a glimpse of this park. Don’t be fooled by its remarkably small size, though, for it’s host to a much more diverse ecosystem than you’d expect.

Swan River Preserve contains two completely paved trails that take, in total, about ten to fifteen minutes to lap, depending on your walking speed. There is an inner loop and an extension, forming an outer loop. Benches are plentiful, and there are a handful of picnic tables right beside the parking lot, which itself can host a dozen or so cars. It’s a perfect place to have lunch if you’ve gotten some take-out. But if you do this, please dispose of your trash responsibly in one of the several trash cans placed about the property.

The river which gives the preserve its name is actually split in two, with one branch running around the perimeter, and the other flowing more slowly through the center. A pond is formed in the center of the park, through which there is a small outflow. After the two branches of the river merge, there is an off-ramp which is the perfect place to launch a kayak or a canoe, if you want to take a trip down the more expansive river.

Despite the park’s small size, its location right in the middle of Swan River means it’s a hotspot for a wide array of wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you might see muskrats, snapping turtles, egrets, herons, osprey, kingfishers, warblers of various sorts, and even bald eagles! What Swan River Preserve lacks in size it more than makes up for in density. Although the experience of lingering in the midst of nature, whiling away the hours beside the birds and trees is borderline transcendent, the agonizing practicalities of being a human with responsibilities often means that we have to deprive ourselves of that experience. Swan River Preserve is thus a soothing balm, an intense dose of all the stuff you want, and a way to fit some time in the great outdoors into even the busiest of schedules.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

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

12 for 12! This month, we’re looking for a true diamond in the rough as we head to Patriots Preserve Park. Situated in Shirley, not too far from Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, this rehabilitated golf course began its new life as a Town of Brookhaven park back in October of 2023, easily making it the newest park we’ve covered on 12 for 12!

The first thing that needs to be addressed when talking about Patriots Preserve is the simple question of: how the heck do you get there? The park’s page on liparks.com provides only coordinates, but those will work perfectly well if you put them in your GPS. Don’t be offput by the fact that the park is situated right in a residential complex, it is completely open to the public and 100% free to enjoy. The parking lot is spacious, with dozens of spaces, and it looked as though the lot is to be expanded at some point in the future, though that’s just speculation.

Once you’re out of your car, you’ll be drawn towards a welcoming front gate, and from there you have your pick of the trails. There are two loops, one spanning more than a mile, and another spanning a bit under a mile, but these connect at various points, so feel free to make your own loop. The single greatest aspect of Patriots Preserve is the fact that the paths are thoroughly paved and fantastically wide. Grass just alongside the paths also tends to be well-maintained, meaning the risk of ticks (even in the height of the season, as we are now), is as low as can be. And, since the whole park is relatively flat, it’s the perfect place to go for those who use wheelchairs or crutches, or who have young stroller-bound children.

Let’s talk about the park itself. Something I often emphasize in 12 for 12 is habitat diversity, and Patriot Preserve nails it on that front. There’s a nice lake at the center of the park, with a nice boardwalk running across it, allowing for great views. While I was there, I saw a tern, ducks, and plenty of turtles. Then, there’s a great mix of extensive grassland and forest, with thick forest surrounding the park in the distance, and various small copses sprinkled throughout. I saw a warbler, crows, mockingbirds, and various other species. There’s the perfect mix of varied habitat and moderately-sized trails. It’s a dense experience, rather than a protracted one. While gigantic parks can be great if you have a whole day set aside for the outdoors, sometimes you just want to spend an hour walking around, then move on with your day. Patriots Preserve is the perfect park for that.

In addition to having great natural environs, Patriots Preserve has some decent guest facilities. There’s a large shaded area with picnic tables, as well as a large playground for the kids. Having lunch here with your family is a great way to get everyone a bit active, and change things up from the normal dining room table experience. Of note, though, when I went, the bathrooms were locked. It was a Sunday, then, so that could be the reason, but the website for the park notes that the bathrooms had not been completed as of the park’s opening. So, make sure you do all your business beforehand, otherwise you might have to suffice with a port-a-potty.

Patriots Preserve Park is a park whose renown will only grow with time. Even in this early stage, where some work still needs to be done, the whole park is pervaded by the feeling that those who set it up intended for it to be a quality experience. And in that regard, it absolutely delivers. Between a diverse array of habitats, some beautiful scenery, and wide, stress-free, accessible trails, this is a must-visit park for just about anyone.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we headed to East Islip to visit Heckscher State Park. From picturesque beaches to expansive forests, this park is a smorgasbord of everything Long Island has to offer!

It’s perhaps easiest to describe Heckscher by comparing it to the other state park we’ve covered this year: Connetquot. Connetquot State Park is a hiker’s park. The trails stretch on forever and take you deep into the wilds of Long Island. Heckscher is, then, an everyone’s park. There are trails through the woods, of course, but many of these are paved. In fact, the number of paved paths and sidewalks in Heckscher is so extensive, you could spend hours walking along them, and still never cover them all. Heckscher also has ample facilities that make it a prime destination for summer fun, even if you don’t enjoy hiking. There are picnic areas with dozens of tables, basketball courts and disc golf baskets and, thankfully, several restroom facilities strategically situated around the park.

Most of the land immediately surrounding the parking lots is carefully maintained, but that doesn’t mean it’s bereft of Long Island’s natural beauty. If you’re up for a trickier walk, the extensive shoreline provides stunning views of the Great South Bay, and is thoroughly populated by Great Egrets, Forster’s Terns, Laughing Gulls and Willets. A well-marked bike path runs in a massive circle around the marsh that occupies the central area of the park, and benches pop up regularly alongside it if you decide to walk this path.

It’s worth noting that Heckscher State Park has an $8 parking fee (as is the norm for state parks after Memorial Day). There are also annual and lifetime passes that you can buy, but whether or not that’s a worthwhile purchase depends on your own individual circumstances.

All the aforementioned qualities that separate Heckscher from other parks lead to a very unique quality that strongly affects how visiting the park makes you feel. Generally, going to a park means you’re going out into nature, and thus away from other people. Sure, you may see some other hikers on a trail, but your interaction with them will consist of a quick nod or “how are ya?” and then you’ll be on your way. Because of all of the humancentric activities that Heckscher accommodates, you’re not going to be able to get away from it all at this park. Pretty much any way you walk, you’ll see a dozen or more people tossing frisbees, or setting up a barbecue, or sunning themselves on the sand. Heckscher fosters a communal experience, not a solitary one. So, if you’re looking for a quiet, meditative experience, then Heckscher is not the park for you. Of course, if you are looking for a place to bring a large group – be it your family, or a work function, or what have you – then Heckscher is the best park for that. A huge driving force behind 12 for 12 is showcasing the fact that there’s a staggering diversity in Long Island’s parks, and what park is the best to visit depends entirely on what you want to get out of it. Heckscher is a park that a lot of people can get a lot out of, and for different reasons.

When all is said and done, Heckscher State Park is a jack of all trades. There’s plenty of wildlife, and a diversity of habitats for nature lovers, but also ample facilities for people who just want to get outdoors and get moving. Whether you’re just looking for a safe place to run or bike, or a place to have a picnic with your grandkids, Heckscher can give you what you want.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, it’s the one and only Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge! Situated right in the Pine Barrens and consisting of much of the Carmans River and its all-important watershed, this park surpasses nearly all others in terms of its ecological significance. Just because a park is valuable for what it preserves, though, doesn’t mean it’s an enjoyable park to visit. So, how does Wertheim compare to some of Long Island’s other locales?

Since only a few months ago we reviewed the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, it’s only natural to compare that park to Wertheim. When it comes to ease of access, Wertheim trounces its fellow preserve. Not only is it situated in Shirley, rather than all the way out on the East End, but its parking lot is much more spacious, it has an immense visitor center (complete with immaculately clean restroom facilities), and it’s completely free to enter! As if all that wasn’t enough, right behind the visitor center is a wheelchair-accessible observation platform, meaning that anyone and everyone can take in the beautiful views of the Carmans River.

When it comes to taking a hike, Wertheim has two trails: the White Oak Trail and the Black Tupelo Trail. The last time I visited Wertheim, I walked the White Oak Trail, and I recalled it being a bit too thin for my liking, and a bit confusing to navigate. If you look at a map of the preserve online (or take a map from among the many informational aids available a at few information kiosks at the front of the park), you’ll see that the White Oak Trail is a loop with a chord running across its middle, whereas the Black Tupelo is a straight line with a loop at its end. I decided to try out Black Tupelo Trail on this visit, and I’m very glad that I did. Not only is the trail a straight line through the park – which means you’ll spend less time worrying about where you’re walking and much more time marveling at what you’re looking at – but it’s such a wide trail that you would have to actively try to get ticks on you. If you walk along the center, you’ve got anywhere from two to four feet of trail on either side of you at all times. For those of you who are especially paranoid about ticks (as I am) this will come as an immense relief. The trail itself is basically a dirt-gravel mix for most of its run, though the loop at the end is covered in short grass (ticks here!), and there are brief points where roots cover the ground, and the elevation shifts rapidly. Overall, though, I’d argue that the Black Tupelo is one of the most accessible trails we’ve covered this year in 12 for 12: it’s about on par, perhaps a bit superior, to Morton, and behind only the main, paved trail at Caleb Smith.

Wandering through Wertheim in the middle of the day is a perfect experience for any birder. This is peak warbler migration season, and on my walk, I managed to catch sight of three different species of these adorable birds: Yellows, Common Yellowthroats, and American Redstarts. I also heard, though failed to see, Blue-winged Warblers and Northern Parulas. Few families of bird on Long Island present as great a challenge as the warblers, and yet these birds also provide the greatest reward, with their beautiful plumage and lovely little songs. I also saw many other birds that, in my experience, are more obscure: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Eastern Towhees, and a Brown Thrasher.

As you may be able to gather from the diversity of birds I just named, there’s a surprising amount of diversity in the habitats you’ll travel through, considering that the whole park consists of the Carmans River watershed. There’s proper Pine Barrens, but also deciduous forest, grasslands, and marshland. At the end of the Tupelo Trail is Indian Point, a nice, secluded outlook onto the Carmans River. Of course, the one huge downside to the park following the flow of the river is that it can get exceedingly buggy. Mosquito repellant is your friend at Wertheim!

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is perhaps the perfect example of a “crowd pleaser” park. It can appeal to a wide range of sensibilities and is accessible to a wide range of abilities. Wildlife abounds, and the park’s simplistic layout streamlines the process of hiking, meaning more of your time and energy will be dedicated to marveling at the beauty of Long Island. All of that, coupled with the fact that it’s free to enter and located in a relatively central part of Suffolk County, means that it’s a great park to recommend to everyone.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we’re sticking closer to home and heading to Fish Thicket Preserve, a Town of Brookhaven park located just off Woodside Avenue. This preserve features dense forests and winding, interlocking trails, yet is small enough to go through in half an hour.

The first thing that needs to be stressed about this park is how difficult it is to find it! If you’re driving west on Woodside Avenue, you’ll see a sign identifying the park on the left side of the road, but if you’re driving east, that same signpost will not identify the park! Since there is not a parking lot for this preserve, you’ll simply have to park on the shoulder of Woodside in the area around the sign. Fortunately, the shoulder on Woodside is spacious, and there’s a bike lane separating it from the traffic. The next challenge, then, is figuring out where the trails start! When you’re facing the sign, walk forward, and you should see a dirt path descending into the woods. It’s very easily hidden when you’re just driving by, so keep your eyes peeled!

Once you’ve found your way into the preserve, you’ll find yourself going up and down fairly steep grades. There’s a bench right at the start of the trail, and a picnic table a bit further in, but after that there aren’t any rest stops until you’ve completed your loop around the prserve. Couple that with the erratic changes in elevation, and Fish Thicket proves to be a more challenging hike than last month’s 12 for 12. It’s also worth noting that there are no restrooms here, so take your potty break beforehand!

The trails themselves are easily apparent. At this time of year, many of them are covered in dead leaves and pine needles, but I never found myself wondering if I’d accidentally gone off the trail at any point. There are many different intersections, but you’ll know when it’s time to turn around once you begin nearing the residential areas that form the border of the preserve opposite Woodside Avenue.

On my walk, I saw a nice variety of animals that might be expected in the forest. From bees, to butterflies, to woodpeckers, to songbirds, there’s a nice variety in what inhabits the preserve, even if the preserve itself is fairly uniform in terms of its habitat.

If you’re looking for a quiet walk, this preserve will mostly serve your needs. At the start of your walk, the screeching of the cars on Woodside Avenue will be exceedingly obnoxious, but after five or so minutes of walking, the noise pollution faded away for me. The preserve was also mostly bereft of other people. I saw one other person on my walk, and it’s worth noting that they were riding their bike through the preserve with no difficulties whatsoever, so if you’ve got a bike that can handle the terrain, then this may be an ideal place to visit. Since it’s been asked before, it’s worth noting that this would not be the best park to bring strollers or scooters.

Fish Thicket Preserve is an ideal park if you want a short bout of exercise. Its inconsistent terrain means it’s a strenuous hike at points, but that might be exactly what you’re looking for. This is one of the most obscure parks we’ve covered on 12 for 12 and will likely be the most obscure by the time the year’s through. But, the term “hidden gem” exists for a reason, and I think that for many, this park would certainly qualify.

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society

12 for 12! This month, we’ve gone way out to the East End to visit one of Long Island’s several National Wildlife Refuges – the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge!

This refuge features a nice array of habitats, from hardwood forests, to grasslands, to the Peconic Bay itself! It’s a much shorter trail than last month’s and is easily completed in under an hour if you don’t take your time. But why wouldn’t you? This is a beautiful place that is easy to get lost in. Metaphorically, that is. Literally, you should stay on the trails.

Now, the first thing to note about some of the national wildlife refuges is that you need to pay to access them. If you go three or four times a year, an annual pass will probably be worthwhile. This is especially true considering that Long Island is home to eight National Wildlife Refuges, including Elizabeth A., Wertheim, and Target Rock. If you’re truly opposed to buying the pass, there are also some free days, with the next one scheduled for Juneteenth (June 19).

Once you’ve made it all the way out to Noyack, you’ll find yourself in a fairly small parking lot that can fill up quite quickly in the summer months. Even now, on a cold winter morning, there were half a dozen cars parked when I arrived. Elizabeth A. Morton is fortunately equipped with proper restroom facilities. Those of you, like myself, who’ve visited the park for many years will know that that wasn’t always the case.

From the restrooms, it’s pretty much a straight shot from the parking lot to the beach. The dirt path is nice and wide, which is immeasurably important if you’re terrified of ticks. From the bathrooms to the beach, the trail is about a mile, and there are numerous benches along the main trail if you need to rest. On the way, you’ll see all manner of birds, from woodpeckers, to chickadees, to tufted titmice and more. And, for mammal lovers, the refuge is frequented by squirrels, deer, and chipmunks.

While the trail is perfectly optimized for the tick-averse among us, it doesn’t rank among the easiest walks on Long Island, though neither is it the hardest. The dirt path is uneven underfoot, and gnarled tree roots are always threatening to trip you, so watch your step! Often, the trail will rise and fall, though once you near the beach, it flattens out, and the walk becomes much easier.

The first thing you’ll see when you make it to the beach is an observation deck where you can sit down, relax, and look all around at Peconic Bay. During the winter, the Bay is frequented by various waterfowl, though on this visit I only saw a gull and a loon. If you can handle the blistering bay winds, then you might be inclined to walk the whole length of the beach. During the summer, most of this area is closed off to protect the area’s Piping Plover population, so there’s something new to explore even if you’ve already visited this park in the warmer months.

At the start of your hike and about halfway through, you’ll notice secondary trails that lead off into different parts of the woods. This secondary loop is about half a mile long and will take you nearer than ever to the refuge’s grasslands, as well as to a lovely little pond tucked away in the heart of the woods. The loop is a more difficult hike than the main trail, with a steep change in elevation at the entrance closer to the beach, and fewer benches. However, there’s a second observation deck at the pond, and a few recently repaired boardwalks over some of the most treacherous ground.

In short, if you’re an East End resident, there’s little reason for you not to visit one of the area’s most beautiful locations. And if you’re not from the East End, but have made the trip out there, then be sure to stop by!

By Travis Cutter, Long Island Pine Barrens Society