The largest contiguous wild area entirely within the South Shore Estuary Reserve watershed is Connetquot River State Park. A walk through this vast oasis of nature is truly a walk through “Old Long Island.” Even its buildings and facilities are among the oldest on the island.
The opportunities for exploration and learning about nature are almost unlimited. A total of more than 33 miles of foot trails crisscross the park’s oak-pine woodlands, oak brush and Pine Barrens, creeks and six ponds. Almost 23 miles of this trail are blazed routes, including the 5.8-mile portion of the long-distance Long Island Greenbelt Trail that cuts through the park. The park is not only a haven for hiking and nature study, but also for birding, fishing and horseback riding.
Connetquot River State Park is a favorite destination for birders. A flock of wild turkeys is easily seen near the park buildings and Main Pond. They were stocked here decades ago when it was a private sportsmen’s club. Main Pond “hosts perhaps the greatest abundance and diversity of waterfowl of any comparably sized water body on Long Island,” according to A Seasonal Guide to Bird Finding on Long Island (1998, Sweetbriar Nature Center, Smithtown, NY).
The best birding is along the Main Pond and for a mile north to the fish hatchery. On Main Pond, large numbers of waterfowl congregate. They include canvasback, gadwall, black duck, ring-necked duck, and mergansers, along with resident mute swans, Canada geese and mallards. More unusual species are European widgeon and the threatened osprey. Also watch for great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, and kingfisher around Main Pond. At the more secluded ponds around the fish hatchery, look for other waterfowl, including the shy wood duck.
In the woods, a wide variety of migrating warblers, golden and ruby-crowned kinglets and other small birds can be seen. The pines are preferred habitat for black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, woodpeckers, tufted titmouse and screech owl. Even rare bald eagles and goshawks are occasionally reported. New York’s official state bird, the blue bird, nests in fields around the pond. Wood thrush, red-eyed vireo and veery are just a few of the other woodland species.
Mammals such as deer, raccoon, skunk, bats, squirrel, rabbit and opossum are common. Red fox prey on the turkeys here and have reduced their numbers.
Not only is the park a haven for wildlife watchers, it is a haven for anglers. Connetquot River is pure and unpolluted here. For a long time, this property was a fishing and hunting club for the wealthy. Its historic fish hatchery, started in 1870, stocks the river with native brook trout and non-native rainbow and brown trout. Only fly-fishing is permitted, continuing the tradition from the sportsmen’s club days.
About 25 of the 33 miles of trails in the park are also open to horseback riders. An additional 3.9 miles of horse trail in the wild portion of Bayard Cutting Arboretum are linked to Connetquot’s trails. This 300-acre parcel of the Arboretum property adjoins the southwest corner of Connetquot Park and is essentially indistinguishable from it. Horseback riders also use Bohemia County Park. It adjoins the northeast side of the park, reached by a separate entrance off Sycamore Avenue. This park is designated specifically for equestrians, and its trails directly enter into the east side of Connetquot Park. Some hiking clubs use this county park as an alternate way into the state park so they can explore different sections.
The Secatog Native Americans originally inhabited Connetquot River State Park. They gave the river its name, Connetquot, which means “Great River.” (It is the same word as the state “Connecticut” whose own “great river” was, of course, the Connecticut River.) In the 1600s, the first European colonist family settled here. They left their mark in the form of the pond, which is now famous for trout and two historic buildings. One is Oakdale Grist Mill (part of which was built as early as 1697). It is located at the south end of Main Pond. It operated until 1878. The second is the Main House, the earliest part that was built in 1820. It later became a popular tavern and inn, and was expanded to become the sportsmen’s clubhouse and residence. In 1866, a group of wealthy men purchased the land and established their exclusive sportsmen’s club. Its members and guests included many famous people. When you walk these trails, you are walking in the footsteps of persons like Daniel Webster, General Sherman and Charles Tiffany.
In 1963, the club sold their property to New York State. The park opened to the public in 1973. The park administration now uses the 1870 “Old Annex,” formerly one of the club’s sleeping quarters.
|