Parks & Recreation - Parks And Recreation
Anytime you hear someone talk about all that Long Island has to offer, or you read something about Long Island tourism, one of the very first things mentioned are the beaches, followed by the unusually high number of well-equipped and extremely well-managed state, county, and local parks. Long Island is a unique region because the island is long, narrow, and surrounded by water (Long Island Sound, Atlantic Ocean, or a series of sheltered bays). As a result, a majority of the towns and villages on Long Island are located right on the water—one major reason why Long Island has become such a popular summer tourist destination.
From an economic standpoint, much of Long Island’s resident population (as well as the visitors) are pretty affluent and civic minded. Thus, many of the regions have taken tremendous steps to protect their land with strict zoning laws and conservation efforts. On a state, county, and local level, a lot of emphasis has been put on creating and maintaining parks, beaches, and the overall environment. What’s offered at the various parks and beaches, however, goes well beyond just natural resources. Many offer full services and amenities for visitors, as well as activities and organized programs designed to help people truly experience and enjoy the amazing outdoor environments Long Island has become famous for.
This section focuses on the state, county, and local parks, as well as the public beaches and golf courses, that are in abundance throughout Long Island. As you’ll discover, there’s often a tremendous overlap in these areas, as many county and state parks, for example, contain beaches, public swimming pools, golf courses, ice-skating rinks, tennis courts, and a wide range of other amenities that are available to the general public.
So if you enjoy spending time outdoors, and you’re looking for the best places to sunbathe, surf, hike, jog, walk, bicycle, Rollerblade, or participate in your favorite sport or water-based activity (such as swimming, sailing, or jet skiing), this is the section of the Insiders’ Guide to Long Island that you’ll want to read carefully.
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
2. Christopher Morley Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (631) 571-8113
Description: On the North Shore, Christopher Morley Park is located in Roslyn–North Hills, along Searingtown Rd. (north of the Long Island Expwy.). If arriving by car, take the LIE to exit 36 (Searingtown Rd.) and travel north on Searingtown until you reach the park entrance, which is about 200 yards from the LIE’s exit. The park was named after Christopher Morley, a famous 20th-century writer whose works include plays, novels, poetry, and essays. After Morley’s death, his property became a county park in 1966.This park has a year-round, full-time staff and is comprised of 98 acres. Here, you’ll find a wide range of activities, including:
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
4. Bay Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7245
Description: This is a beautiful, 96-acre park that offers two lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, and several athletic fields, along with bicycle and walking paths. There’s also an outdoor roller-skating rink, several picnic areas, a large children’s playground, a dog run, a boccie court, and a fishing dock that features a sailboat and slip boat ramp. This park is located off the Southern State Pkwy.’s exit 17.
5. Cedar Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7470
Description: Since 1975 this 259-acre county park has offered residents and visitors alike a wide range of activities, such as eight tennis courts, eight handball/paddleball courts, multiple athletic fields, a 1.5-mile walking/jogging path, a separate 1-mile walking/jogging/bicycle path, a children’s playground, a large picnic area, an outdoor roller-skating rink, multiple sledding hills (seasonal), a dog run, an archery range, a field designed for flying radio-controlled model airplanes, and a tether-car racetrack. The park is located off the Southern State Pkwy.’s exit 27 South.
6. Centennial Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-8695
Description: This is one of the smaller county-operated parks. It encompasses just 2 acres and features a children’s playground, 12 basketball hoops, and 2 tennis courts. The park is located off the Southern State Pkwy.’s exit 21 South. Centennial Park’s claim to fame is that basketball superstar Julius Erving (aka Doctor J) grew up in the area and played basketball at the park as a child.
7. Cow Meadow Park & Preserve
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-8685
Description: This 150-acre park is both a traditional active park (with activities, services, and amenities) and a nature preserve that showcases Long Island’s marine wetlands, salt marshes, mud flaps, and tidal creek habitats. With more than 150 species of birds in the area, this park is ideal for bird-watching along the quarter-mile nature trail that winds through a variety of natural habitats. Other offerings at the park include a lighted baseball field, four lighted basketball courts, six lighted tennis courts, four lighted handball courts, and a large athletic field. There’s also a large children’s playground and picnic area, a popular fishing pier, and a marina with about 30 boat slips. The park is located off exit M9 West of the Meadowbrook Pkwy.
8. Grant Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7821
Description: This 35-acre park has been a part of the county’s park system since 1955. Its offerings include three basketball courts, four tennis courts, four handball/paddleball courts, several jogging/biking/walking paths, a children’s playground, a large picnic area, an outdoor roller-skating rink that in the winter is transformed into an ice-skating rink, and a sledding hill. There’s also a lake that’s open for fishing. The park is located off the Southern State Pkwy.’s exit 19 South.
9. Inwood Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7894
Description: Here you’ll find a somewhat small, 16-acre park that is surrounded by water. It offers a lighted baseball field (which can also be used for football), two basketball courts, two tennis courts, a walking/jogging path around the park’s perimeter, a children’s playground, and a lighted roller-skating rink. There’s also a boat launch ramp and a waterfront area that offers fishing and crabbing. The park is located in the middle of Inwood, a short distance from Rockaway Tnpk.
10. Nickerson Beach Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7700
Description: One of the unique aspects of this park is that it offers a campground with 74 RV and 12 tent sites, in addition to 2 basketball courts, 2 tennis courts, a skateboard park, a children’s playground, picnic areas, 2 swimming pools, and a dog run. There’s also a restaurant located within the park, Nathan’s at Nickerson (516-870-4381), which offers the restaurant chain’s famous hog dogs, fries, and other fast-food favorites. This park is located less than a half mile from Nassau Beach, just off the Loop Pkwy.
11. North Woodmere Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7801
Description: Located in the southwest part of Nassau County, this 150-acre park offers an impressive assortment of activities, services, and amenities, including 10 lighted tennis courts, 6 lighted handball/paddleball courts, several athletic fields, paths suitable for cross-county skiing (seasonal), a children’s playground, a picnic area, a 9-hole (par 30) golf course, an outdoor swimming complex (with locker room facilities), and a shorefront where fishing and crabbing is permitted. The park is located off Branch Blvd.
12. Rev. Arthur Mackey Sr. Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-8692
Description: This park is located close to the Roosevelt Preserve and is situated around a gorgeous lake. It’s one of the newer parks in the county’s park system, having been added in 1984. It offers two tennis courts, two handball/paddleball courts, two full-size basketball courts, four basketball half-courts, a baseball field, a children’s playground, and a picnic area. Walking and jogging paths can be found around the lake. The park is located off the Southern State Pkwy. East, exit 23.
13. Wantagh Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (516) 571-7460
Description: This is a 111-acre park located on the waterfront. In addition to providing a handful of activities, it also offers an amazing view. At this park you’ll find five lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, several athletic fields, a 1-mile walking/jogging/bicycle path, and a separate 2-mile walking/jogging/bicycle path. There’s also a fitness trail with 20 workout stations, a children’s playground, a picnic area, an outdoor swimming pool complex (with locker room facilities), a boat launch and boat slips, a dog run, and a fishing pier. The park is located off the Southern State Pkwy.’s exit 27 South.
14. Blydenburgh County Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (631) 854-3713
Description: The main activities offered at this park include hiking, picnicking, camping, freshwater fishing, rowboat rentals, horseback-riding paths, a children’s playground, a dog run, and a historic trust area. Located on the property is the Blydenburgh Farm and New Mill Historic District, which contains a historic gristmill (one of several still standing on Long Island). This is a 627-acre park that’s open throughout the year. Between mid-May and Labor Day, rowboat rentals are available. For camping information, call (631) 244-7275.
15. Brookside County Park
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (631) 563-7716
Description: Brookside is a relatively small, undeveloped park that’s centered around water. It offers a meandering river and plenty of wooded areas. This park was the former estate of architect Isaac H. Green. The main activities here are strolling, hiking, and bird-watching. Guided nature walks are offered seasonally. The Great South Bay Audubon Society hosts guided bird watching tours here throughout the year. Call for details and to make reservations.