The Sierra Club Long Island Group’s “green places on Long Island” lists places that offer beauty, serenity, and wildlife preservation perfect for a quick getaway. Here are a dozen we know will appeal to paddlers and rowers (and some to all boaters).
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
http://www.bayardcuttingarboretum.com/
Situated along the Connetquot River in Great River and accessible to paddlecraft, the arboretum has scenic grounds boasting wildflowers and plantings, and is home to many land and aquatic creatures.
Blydenburgh County Park
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/OurParks/BlydenburghCountyPark.aspx
Open to Suffolk County residents, this Hauppauge park is located at the headwaters of the Nissequogue River. Paddle or row the river as well as Stump Pond.
Captree State Park
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/65/details.aspx
This park, with many aquatic amenities, is in Babylon on the eastern tip of Jones Beach Island.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
http://nysparks.com/parks/23/details.aspx
Paddle or row to this picturesque peninsula in Huntington extending into the Long Island Sound. The park features woodlands, meadows, a rocky shoreline, and a salt marsh. Scuba diving by permit only.
Connetquot River State Park
http://www.nysparks.com/parks/8
More than 200 bird and 300 plant species live in Oakdale along 33 miles of foot trails, crisscross creeks, ponds, and pine barrens.
Cow Meadow Park and Preserve
https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2795/Cow-Meadow-Park
Bordered by Freeport Creek in a boater-friendly village, this park and nature preserve has 150 acres of wetlands among its many attractions and amenities.
Fire Island National Seashore
https://www.nps.gov/fiis/learn/index.htm
This national park bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Great South Bay has 26 miles of shoreline, dunes, beaches, and maritime forests, and features the Fire Island Lighthouse. There are marinas and offshore anchoring in parts of the bay. Jet skis are prohibited along the shoreline and in the channels.
Gardiner County Park
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/OurParks/GardinerCountyPark.aspx
A 231-acre nature park in West Bay Shore on the Great South Bay.
Hither Hills State Park
http://nysparks.com/parks/122/details.aspx
This park in Montauk includes scenic picnic areas and fireplaces, playing fields, a playground, and a campground. The walking dunes of Napeague Harbor offer a spectacular view.
Southaven County Park
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/OurParks/SouthavenCountyPark.aspx
The Carmans River flows through this forest in Brookhaven. Paddle and watercraft can access much of the park’s 1,300 acres of scenery.
Wantagh Park
https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/2805/Wantagh-Park
Wantagh Park has 111 acres of recreation and leisure amenities accessible by boaters.
Wildwood State Park
http://nysparks.com/parks/68/details.aspx
There are more than 600 acres of hardwood forest overlooking the Long Island Sound in Wading River.
Complete list of Long Island’s green destinations:
https://www.lisierraclub.org/green-places
Always check navigational and tide charts and obey posted warnings and restrictions at each location. Fees may apply.
