Heritage Park is in an area that I have an attachment to. Growing up here in the 1980s, I remember…read morewhen Route 25A was a semi rural road that abutted Davis Peach Farm in Mount Sinai. In the mid 1990s, when I was in my twenties, suburbia conquered the acres of open peach farms at a time when the Route 347 sprawl entended east along Route 25A. In 2013, there was a positive turn of events. On the triangular parcel of former peach farm lane bounded by NY 25A, Coram-Mount Sinai Road, and County Route 83; a developer proposed constructing a home improvement store. Concurrently, the local residents with Brookhaven Township derailed these plans and instead created a beautiful park where residents from all over can enjoy a public space. Heritage Park was born. By now, I was living in Las Vegas. In recent times when I visited my Dad, we had spent time here on four occasions before dining in Lotus East. The way we have experienced Heritage Park is walking the 0.7 mile oval walking path counter clockwise with three bench stops. This review discusses the four experiences here from the perspective of walking the peripheral trail counter-clockwise. To begin with, this is a concrete trail that is level. This has been beneficial to my dad who has had foot issues. Getting on the trail northbound we take in the historic Heritage House. This is a community center that houses local events. For park users this is one of two restroom locations. Continuing north, the Davis Peach farm history lives on with preserved farming equipment by a red barn. As the trail curves west at the triangular northern tip of the park, a community garden and diminutive forest appear to the back of the Heritage House. This is where we sit after walking around the park. Traveling northbound parallel to County Route 83, there are sporadic young trees that have been gradually maturing. Within a few years, I expect them to bring shade to a park that was formerly farmland. It is along this segment where we take our first bench break in a square called "The Court of Americas." This is a neat area where the garden is shaped like the USA that is framed with bricks displaying the names of every US President. From this spot, there is a clear view of the butterfly garden and central walkways. Continuing north, then following an S-curve, my eyes take in the open grass, soccer fields, and baseball fields to the left. At the S-curve, I have seen the most nature in the park that includes rabbits and robins. At the northern preiphery, the trail turns to the left to follow NY 25A. From here, I could see the expanse of open grass reaching towards the Heritage House. Turning to the south, I sometimes cut across the play knoll. I believe that this is the highest point of the park. The trail now parallels Coram-Mount Sinai Road with the soccer field to the left. This is where our second bench stop is. It is a scenic spot that overlooks a decorative waterfall with a miniature pine forest slope providing the backdrop of a putting green fronting open grass reaching towards Route 25A. Continuing north towards the parking lot, the park turns children's friendly. There is a Kids Maze and a playground. What the park is not, is doggy friendly. Dogs are prohibited. Heading more north the scenery features the parking lot to the right with open grass to the left. By now we have walked 0.7 miles. We will conclude the loop at bench stop three overlooking the community garden. Depending on the visit, we have done a second loop or walked back to the car. Speaking of parking. The parking lot is off of Coram-Mount Sinai Road. On all four of our visits there has been sufficient parking. I would like to add that the parking lot is convenient to the the North Shore Rail Trail. Only a short walk along Coram-Mount Sinai Road then across Route 25A is a 10-mile paved trail that connects Mount Sinai to Wading River. This short walk extends the Heritage Park experience into a regional hike or bicycle ride. If I still lived on Long Island, I would partake in it. In conclusion, I give Heritage Park 4-stars. The local residents and Brookhaven Township have created something special.

Truly our favorite local park. We come here probably every other week at least, sometimes more…read more There's a great walking path and you can bring bikes/scooters for the kids, and it's easily stroller accessible. There's a great playground also with options for younger as well as older kids. There's plenty of parking (unless it's Foodie Friday, where tons of food trucks roll up), bathrooms, and a Ralph's Italian ice shop that has elusive hours. Well above average park for kids and adults alike.

I will give this park four stars for what it is, a nice place to take a walk or do laps in the…read moreneighborhood. The paved asphalt path is stated to be 1,820 feet, 0.35 miles. The path is a much more enjoyable walk then going to the local High School track. There are also trails into the woods. They intersect at a geometric pattern made from slate stone with with three stone benches.

Visit Date: July 17, 2020…read more I came here to go on a hike. I use hiking, biking and roller skating on quads to cross train cardio for when I run. I also do dessert fairy dusting so I plan out my hiking visits to coincide some dusting drops. I loved this park but I had no idea it was so small. The cement trail is only .4 of a mile. By the time I drive to a new trail to check it out I usually don't have much time to hike on it before I should head back home, take a shower and do whatever else I'm doing for that day so I usually will only get a mile maybe two on a trail but for this trail I had to walk around it multiple times, weaving in and out of the wooded side paths in order to make at least one mile of hiking. Other than it being so tiny it was a nice little well maintained park. If you're a novice hiker or a runner looking for a fairly safe place to do hikes this park is good for you.

Situated a few feet from the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park welcomes people arriving…read morefrom the Bridgeport Ferry and Long Island with a grand view of Port Jefferson Harbor. This is a view that I have enjoyed when spending time in Port Jefferson. Mary Bayles Park is a very small park tucked in between the Bridgeport Ferry ramp and Danford's. Although the park is small, the waterfront environment is spectacular. This is a view of Port Jefferson Harbor fronting the Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distant horizon. It is a view that includes the Bridgeport Ferry that is a few feet away. This is a prime spot to watch the ferry entering and leaving the harbor. I have enjoyed this view from sitting on the benches and standing on the dock extension over Port Jefferson Harbor. Spending time here is spending time in a Port Jefferson Harbor portrait. When I took in this panoramic view of Port Jefferson Harbor, I shared it with my Dad and somebody else. That somebody else, is "The Soldier Statue." Standing in a landscaped garden facing Port Jefferson Harbor since the mid 1980s, "The Soldier Statue" has paid tribute to the shipbuilders who answered to the call of country, commerce, whaling, and pleasure. Mary Bayles Park borders Danford's to the east. If it weren't for Danford's, it would be practically contiguous to the far larger Harborfront Park on the other side. Because the park is so small and that Danford's takes up the eastern view, it would be easy to mistake it as Danford's property. If I did not spot the Mary Bayles Park sign, I might of thought that Danford's owned it. Because I currently live in Las Vegas, it is hard for me to return here. If I still lived on Long Island, I could see myself stopping at the Starbucks or Dunkin on Main Street (NY 25A) then savoring my coffee here while watching the Bridgeport Ferry take off towards Connecticut in the horizon or docking in the harbor. In the shadow of the "Welcome to New York" sign, Mary Bayles Park, has been a first-rate spot where I enjoyed being in front of Port Jefferson Harbor while taking in the Bridgeport Ferry. Supporting my four star rating are the photographs I posted with this review.

Just a charming park right along the waterfront with lots of benches and tables. Great for people,…read moreduck & boat watching and we enjoyed seeing the ferry load and unload. Lots of monuments plaques and sculptures here. We watched the boats pass by and walked along the dock too.

Avalon Nature Preserve is a nice place to go hiking. I've always enjoyed being outdoors, taking in…read morethe scenery, listening to the birds, and meeting others who share my love for mini adventures. Upon arriving, my husband and I parked in the Forest parking lot, which had ample parking spaces and a map, laying out available trail options. We began with the Hilltop Meadow, which we completed fairly quickly. After, we thought we'd challenge ourselves a bit more by taking on the Forest Sanctuary. We enjoyed this trail, although we sometimes had to look over our shoulders to investigate the noises around us. Everything kept us on our toes, from squirrels to deer, chipmunks, and other wildlife. The terrain may be difficult for some, due to the tree roots and the uphill climbs, but other than that, it was manageable. We appreciated that there were several signs posted throughout the park, helping us to keep track of our location. Additionally, there were warning signs reminding us of the possibility of tick exposure. One thing is for sure: we kept it moving and thoroughly checked our clothing afterwards. My favorite trail of the day was The Mill Pond. I loved the well-paved paths and the overall layout. I could've spent hours here. I highly recommend this park for those who enjoy the outdoors.

Gorgeous place! Lot's of cool trails to go through and has so many separate areas! First you have…read morethe lake area, then the meadow, then the forest...etc Avalon has lot's of variety!

Our friends said let's get together on Saturday. Want to go to dinner? Nah, let's hang out at the…read morebeach. Hang out? Now I live by west meadow beach in Stony Brook. There are a lot of rules! No dogs, keep the noise down and be courteous of the plantings. Cedar Beach has a much more pleasant vibe. There's a live band playing and you can bring a cooler with no hassle from the local police. We have a Brookhaven virtual summer pass and cedar beach is a town beach. There's a Veteran discount on the pass, high five Brookhaven! There's a reason why the next town is "Rocky Point". The beaches on the north shore are so rocky! The beaches on the south shore are powered sand, this is a south shore thing that I always like to point out. (My beach growing up was Smiths Point) The band is playing CCR, we're drinking cold beers and having a good time at Cedar Beach. The sun is setting and now we're getting up to dance? I like hanging out.

It is difficult to review Cedar Beach, because essentially it is reviewing the Long Island Sound,…read morewhich is vintage Long Island. This viewpoint is from the eyes of a person who's Dad is a Town of Brookhaven resident. The thing to take into account when reviewing Cedar Beach is that it is a Brookhaven Township amenity where admission is very reasonable for it's residents. On the contrary, for the residents residing outside of Brookhaven, their price to enjoy access to the Long Island Sound could seem to compete with Six Flags Great Adventure prices. The Town of Brookhaven, NY website displays the prices. Whether you are a Town of Brookhaven or non-resident the days of paying at the admission gate appear to be a memory. I'm not a fan of the parking meters because they can be an annoyance for Cedar Beach guests at the same time that they do not provide the safety measure that a controlled access gate does in maintaining a sense of safety.     Cedar Beach is one of a few Town of Brookhaven Long Island Sound beachfront parks. The other one that I am familiar with is West Meadow Beach. Cedar Beach is situated on a peninsula in a scenic location that starts off with a drive along bucolic and windy Pipe Stave Hollow Road that gives a nod to the East End with its bordering woodlands, estates on rolling forested hills, and the picturesque Mount Sinai Harbor that brings images of the Great Peconic Bay. A left turn onto Harbor Beach Road continues the drive on the peninsula where Mount Sinai Harbor with the boats are to the south and the beachfront, nature trail, concession stand, and amenities are to the north. One advantage of the meter system is that if you want to see the beach scape by vehicle, you can drive to the end of Harbor Beach Road without paying.    The peak season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is my understanding that they provide lifeguards during this busy season. However, it was off-season when I went with my Dad, a Brookhaven resident, to see Cedar Beach. Living in the Las Vegas desert, it just made sense to spend some time by the Long Island Sound when I visited my dad. Please keep in mind that I am no stranger to Cedar Beach. My memories go back to the early 1980s when I was a child that spent time with my dad at Cedar Beach. Not much has changed since President Regan was in office. Cedar Beach is still a very rocky North Shore Beach that is unstable for swimming in barefooted. However, one change that was administered over the years is that dogs are prohibited at Cedar Beach.    My Dad and I visited Cedar Beach in May. Before peak season the beach was very unpopulated. If my dad did not have a Brookhaven pass, the parking meters could care less that the parking lot was relatively empty. Waiting for us were several spaces overlooking a band of white sand fronting a large expanse of Long Island Sound water spread out towards Connecticut. Unlike West Meadow Beach, Cedar Beach provides a prime vista of a beach scape taking in the Connecticut shoreline. On a serene Long Island day the waves were very gentle. With so few people sharing this experience, this was a mellow way to spend some time with my dad. We did go for a short walk on the beach. Being a hiker, of I was alone and had sufficient time, I would of hiked west on the sand that would take me onto the nature trail that would ultimately lead me to the end of the peninsula at the Cedar Beach Fishing Pier Area where Harbor Beach Road ends at a water view overlooking Belle Terre.     I am a fan of Long Island Sound, I am a fan of Cedar Beach. Being that my Dad is a Brookhaven resident, I could see a return visit here when I spend time with my Dad on Long Island.

Came on Thursday, March, 27th 2025. It's was shorts and…read morehoodie weather. No Mudd today. We left The Cow at the Big Tree in the middle of the park field

Nice open area of grass with a magnificent tree sitting in the middle. Came here with the fam…read more Great place to let baby walk around "freely" exploring the grass, stones, and all magical things nature offers in this space. Area is clean and dogs are allowed. There is a 2 mile hiking trail and a little house ran by the Farmingville Historical Society. We brought a blanket and some snacks for a quick bite before heading back home.

This is your typical neighborhood park / playground. While babysitting my niece last weekend, she…read moreinformed us that she wanted to go to the park, yet her parents nor my MIL decided to tell us where the park was. My FIL showed up mid-morning and showed us how to find this park that puts a sparkle in little girls' eyes. It's about 6/10th of a mile walk to get here, and my 2 and half year old niece walked the whole way (she was so excited!). The park has two parts, a baseball field and a playground. The ball field looks nice, though we didn't use it since "big kids" were playing baseball. The grass was recently mowed, so it was a perfect height. The playground is perfect for toddlers and kids in general. There are multiple ways to climb up and there are 4 big slides and 1 little slide. There are 4 swings (two normal ones and two with better restraints for smaller children. The park is clean and nicely maintained. There are also a couple picnic tables if you are so inclined. My niece had a blast, so much so that she made my husband and my FIL carry her all the way home (and she did not nap much to our chagrin).

A nice park for kids and adults in the area, they made it harder to get into the woods, witch…read morelessens the fun.

We are back on Long Island visiting family for the first time since moving to North Carolina- 4.5…read moreyears ago! I'm feeling hit hard in the nostalgia so we are making it a point to take a walk down every memory lane, and in this case, a literal walk. We discovered this little .7 mile loop long before we moved away when our first daughter was just a baby. I had thought about this place often because it is this humble little hike that first introduced me to the idea that hiking was even a thing I liked. Now, I've climbed mountains all over North Carolina and every amazing sight I've ever seen traces back to a glimmer of interest born right here. Pretty cool. If you want a quintessential immersion into the Long Island pine barrens experience, this is your place. A little slice of seclusion amidst the suburbs, the ground blanketed with soft copper colored pine needles, the view around you an oasis of symmetrical and stately white pine trees- ah, this is it. Long Island at its best.

Very lovely walk through evergreen-scented air. Lots of tall pines gives a majestic feeling. The…read moretrails are well maintained and easy. Some interesting giant piles of "sticks." The day we went, it seemed like there were dozens of people doing photoshoots there, which was unusual.

Updating this, because I heard the news that they were closing the site at the end of the year and…read morethis hurts my heart. If the animals were being mistreated I wish they were doing things to remedy the site rather than close it completely. Here's to those who grew up here and have the best memories like my husband.

This review will be covering the park and trail. A group of us came here to kill time, and there's…read morea lot to take in. The parking lot is pretty huge, with a number of spaces to hold plenty. It wasn't nearly as busy when we arrived, mainly due to the zoo being closed. There is a trail that does a big loop around the park, including nice scenery to take in. A map isn't really necessary since there is one trail, with the expectation of one branching off into a big field which then meets up again on the main trail. A playground is provided along the trail and also some exercise stations to stop at. It would be nice to see some touch-ups here and there, pertaining to the trails, but nothing major. We didn't cover everything, but this park along with the Wildlife and Ecology Center is the place to come to for a great meet-up.

Gorgeous place! So many different things, you have the park, the playing field, the trails, the…read moremountain trails. It doesn't have just one hidden pond, oh no, it has 2! There's also a trail that crosses the street that goes to the Munts Pond Preserve, that goes to another hidden POND!! It's so cool!

I visited this park to watch a men's softball game The two fields were in good shape and the park…read morehad several Portopotty"s The parking lot was fairly large and placed away from the two baseball fields. Foul balls from the game would probably not reach any of the park cars. Besides the baseball fields, the Park offers trails for hiking and biking. They have mark trails that noted difficulty on their detail map guide. Also, handball courts in Hidden Pond Park for those that enjoy that actin. I intend to visit the Park in the near future to learn more about its surroundings