Huge thank you to Ranger Scott. He was the most generous guide and gave us the beautiful history of…read morethis nature trail. Impeccably dressed in his dri fit Ranger gear, he upheld the brand of Avalon Preserve. It was my father's bday, RIP, and we got to honor him with postcards at the Sphere for a spiritual send off. Thanks Scott. You added so much to our visit

Spectacular preserve Absolutely tremendous…read more Lots of acreage No bathrooms Prepare to walk a lot! Some ground was dicey for a 75 year old to trek while other paths were mowed grass and easy to walk on Free entry and parking Shep Jones Rd is best parking Lots of areas being maintained so not open

A great place to relax and get the summer started…read more Memorial Weekend Park Rangers, Police on guard Memorial Grounds Park kept meticulous by Parks Department Officers

Great beach for 4x4 access, plenty of space to spread out and no one was on top of each other.read more

Great neighborhood spot for a hike. Quiet and peaceful and beautiful. Great place to spend a Sunday…read moremorning to regroup for the work weekend.

Happened upon this hidden little spot after a long bike ride--a perfect end to the ride. Gorgeous…read moreviews all around, very quiet and secluded. It'd be a lovely spot to have lunch and read a book. The roads there are very hilly and the town it's in is quite wooded and forest-y; it doesn't feel like the usual strip-mall suburbs of Long Island. If you're driving, there isn't much parking. It's wonderful but tiny--not really meant to be a destination or anything, but a great surprise for those chancing upon it.

In these days of political strife, it was a pleasure to spend an hour here. soaking in the best of…read morewhat America once was. Walking the grounds of century old buildings had a calming effect on us. Judging from the signs. most of this was assembled for the Bicentennial in 1976. Perfect timing for 2026.

I need to shout out Islip Grange for holding the beloved Apple Festival every year. Each year I…read moremeet my mom and sisters out there and we get Apple fritters, check out the craft booths, and now we get to partake in the ride they have for the kids. They also do a petting zoo. I do have to say, logistics are on point, as we got there early and the people directing parking had a handle on things. We can't wait to go to the festival again next year!

"But there's this one particular harbour So far but yet so…read morenear Where I see the days as they fade away And finally disappear" (Jimmy Buffet) You'll find Port Jefferson's Harborfront Park between the waterfront and village center and it's well worth the visit. There's a lot going on inside the 5.1-acre Park. We saw a picnic area and children's playground with a stone porpoise and some cute stone turtles. There's a skating rink, a 350 ft pier for strolling and sightseeing or fishing, a beautiful shoreline promenade that makes you feel you're at the beach, courtesy of the seagrass and sand dunes. But for me, the highpoint of our park visit was the magnificent Shipbuilder's monument showing four shipbuilders carrying the framework of a boat high over their heads. I read that the monument was based on some old photos from the Port Jefferson Historical Society and that the men's clothing is historically accurate. What a cool way to honor Port Jefferson's maritime heritage.

My series of Harborfront Park pictures tell help support my review of this picturesque park…read more Situated on the east shoreline of Port Jefferson Harbor between Danford's and the Historic Shipyard Building (Village Center), spending time in Harborfront Park is spending time in a vintage Port Jefferson post card. It is a living postcard of the Long Island Sound water stretching out to Connecticut with boats, water birds, and bordering forested bluffs. Park goers experience this Port Jefferson Harbor shoreline view from the circular paved walking trail, open grass, a sundry of benches, sandy beach, and a 350 foot long pier extending the experience above Port Jefferson Harbor. Standing on the pier, park goers can enjoy an east facing vista of where Port Jefferson village and Harbor converge. This a living postcard that I have got to spend time in three times, with the latest being Monday, October 21, 2024. The three times that I spent here were with my dad. From these three visits (as of October 31, 2024), I give this five acre waterfront park four stars. It really captures the Port Jefferson experience. A big part of that experience is Port Jefferson Harbor with its ferry, boats, birds, docks, bordering bluffs, and water spread out to Connecticut. It is a view that brings out the shutter bug in me. Walking in from the west entrance near Danford's, my thing is to stroll along the walking path inches from the water taking pictures before walking onto the pier to take in the water below me. Sitting on a shaded bench, I would spend time talking to my dad while looking at the forested Belle Terre bluffs towering above the Long Island Sound water. Harborfront Park was not always a picturesque spot. It is the result of an environmental success story. You see, before the early 2000s, it was a blighted wasteland of oil tanks and cement that was closed off to the public. Just like most environmental success stories, people that cared got together to create something beautiful. Looking at the water that is so clear that I could see the bottom, it is hard to fathom that this was an industrial site. This environmental success story created a first-rate park with immaculate landscaping and details that is much more than a real life postcard. This park has added public art and passive entertainment to Port Jefferson Village. The focal point of the park is the Port Jefferson Harbor Sculpture depicting four men carrying a wooden boat. Nearby is a sandy splash pad staring a boat, sea lion statue, and turtle statues that splash water. In the summer children love it. During the rest of the year, it adds to the parks charm. In various places along the walking trail there are kiosks that explain the history of the area and what you are looking at. Speaking of history, the historic Shipyard Building dating back to 1917, also known as Village Center touches the northern periphery of the open grass. From what was once a blighted oil tank and cement site, you have a waterfront park that provides all these amenities. When my Dad and I spent time here, it was always engrossed with people. And, may I add dogs. The circular walking trail, is a popular spot for pet parents to walk their dogs. I like real life waterfront postcards and successful environmental stories. Harborfront Park is the epitonmy of both. There is no doubt that this is a great addition to Port Jefferson Village and my visits to Port Jefferson Village. My story through pictures and views concludes with Four Stars: I am a fan.

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

I come to this beach a lot to take photos and just relax. It's a beautiful little area I've been…read morevisiting for years. There are two "sides"... one side is the marina, where there is a long pier with benches and the sailing club. The other side is the public beach, with restrooms, playground, tennis court, small picnic area and walking path and beach. During the on-season there is a lifeguard during the day. I'm not sure of the dates, but starting in May and going through mid October is their on-season and they charge a ridiculous amount to park for non Islip Town residents. On top of that, they charge up until like 7:30pm which is terrible since nearly all local beaches stop charging after about 5pm. They are literally the only beach I know of that keeps someone at the booth until almost sundown. They also charge a fee even if you do have an Islip Rec card, and I was recently told by another beach employee they aren't allowed to do that. I don't know if it'll be the same guy this year, but he's mostly been not very friendly when I've encountered him. All of this is a huge bummer for an otherwise cool little beach! Needless to say, during their on-season, I pretty much don't go there except on rainy days and if no one is at the booth. The way they treat people is obnoxious. And for the record, I am an Islip town resident. Meanwhile, one town over the beach is free. One town further and it only costs money to park (until 5ish) and they have nicer amenities. This is a good example of why Long Island needs to create better beach access passes that make it easier for people to enjoy the shore.

This beach isn't the cleanest but the park and tennis courts are nice…read more They charge to get in but you're able to park on the street or in a public parking lot a couple houses down and walk in for free.

Wow.... I'm SO glad they blew three million dollars spreading rocks around to prevent flooding! I…read moremean, who knew that water could go AROUND rocks, right? Pfffft. Absolutely incredible. And yeah, that marsh grass just sucked up all the excess water like magic. What marsh grass? Well, the marsh grass that's under all that water. Three million dollars' worth of rocks and marsh grass. Unbelievable. Next time they want to blow three million, they should just give it to me. The flooding situation still won't be fixed, and they'll still be out three million, but at least I'll put it to good use.

Hi Everyone! It's so Beautiful here at the end of The Mascot Dock. For Hundreds of years, This has…read morebeen one of the main Acess Ports for this area's Shipping and Commerce. Formerly Home to Mascot Inn.(1903), One of Patchogue's most Beautiful palacial Hotel Resorts. 100+ years ago. Patchogue, Long Island was a "Vacation Destination" for thousands of City weary folks. Many would arrive by train in the thousands in the summer, living the summer in luxury in the dozen or so huge hotels and resorts that dotted Patchogue waterscape. Leo's was one of the many Resort Hotels in the area at the time. In the 1900s, Mascot Dock was the Main Port and terminal for ocean-going ships barges and other vessels. Tourists, wealthy business Folk and supplies such as hay, Fashions, spices, and other wares from around the world. All traveled through this spot. Hey, hungry from the Salt air folks? Lombardi's on the water is a Beautiful restaurant that stands where the Mascot Inn stood. Now history passed by, The Mascot Dock is a beautiful place to walk your dog, take a bike ride, sunsets, and of course crabbing and fishing. Relax, let the Salt Air hit your face and enjoy the solitude. JIM D