Heckscher State Park was once the 19th century estates of George C. Taylor and J. Neal Plum. William Nicoll, founder of the Town of Islip, originally built his estate on this property. The park was bought by the State of New York using a donation by the affluent August Heckscher with strong opposition from wealthy local residents. It was one of Robert Moses' most difficult fights to obtain land for public recreation on Long Island. Only with assistance and support from then Governor Alfred E. Smith was Moses able to close the deal on this beautiful property fronting the Great South Bay.

The 1,600 acres of Heckscher State Park on the south shore of Long Island are used by park visitors for a number of outdoor activities; primarily, the park's shady picnic groves provide the idyllic spots for family and group picnic outings. Large open fields are used for soccer, cricket, lacrosse, and other field sports. Four miles of paved, multi-use trails attract bicycle riders, walkers, and nature lovers. In addition to stunning views of the Great South Bay with Fire Island as the backdrop, visitors see whitetail deer, a variety of birds and other wildlife.

The Great South Bay is a great park resource, providing opportunities for bay swimming, boat launching, sail boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. NEW Cottages! Checkout the newly built waterfront cottages offering 3-season accommodations. Cottages can accommodate 2-6 people and include; living room, bedroom(s), full kitchen, bathroom, screened porch and spectacular views! Other popular activities in the park include: picnicking, biking, sports fields, walking, jogging, scenic viewing, nature observation.

Heckscher State Park

In late 1936 as she was contemplating the transfer of what was then called "Westbrook" to the Long Island State Park Commission, Olivia James wrote of the two purposes she and her mother envisioned for what is today, Bayard Cutting Arboretum, named for her father William Bayard Cutting.

"These purposes are:

(1) That Westbrook shall be an oasis of beauty and of quiet, and that it shall be a source of pleasure, rest and refreshment to those who delight in outdoor beauty.

(2) That it shall serve to bring about a greater appreciation and understanding, on the part of both the general public and of those professionally concerned with landscape design of the value and importance of informal planting, and shall thus be an influence in preserving the amenities of our native landscape."

With 691 acres situated on the picturesque Connetquot River, Bayard Cutting Arboretum fulfills Ms. James' wishes in fine style. Visitors can learn about the value and appearance of planned, but informal plantings on a country estate. Or they can merely enjoy the serenity of a walk among the trees of the pinetum or among the rhododendrons. Most trees are labeled so that visitors can learn how they might appear in their landscape at home. The Bayard Cutting Horticultural Club offers programs that add to the educational value of the place. http://www.bcahortsociety.org/ 

The estate mansion is maintained in its original style with furnishings typical of the estate era. Guided tours of the mansion are available seasonally. A café on the first floor offers light luncheon with a stunning view over the great lawn of the Connetquot River. Formal teas are offered and can be arranged by reservation. Historical retrospective photo exhibits in the mansion show that Westbrook was once a well known dairy farm producing glass-bottled milk for sale in local markets. One of the original barns remains in the farm area of the arboretum.

It's a wonderful place to relax, read a book, and experience the peace and serenity of estate living in the 1920s and '30s. 

Please note: A permit is required for all posed photography at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. This includes wedding photography, family photos, engagement photos and all other posed photography. The fee is $200 for an hour and a half session during open park hours. The permit must be obtained prior to the event date. Please contact the park for further information regarding photography permits at (631) 581-1002.

For information on educational opportunities & programs in Long Island State Parks, please visit Long Island Environmental Interpretive Center.
Pet Policy: No Pets Allowed

Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park

Connetquot River State Park Preserve maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals. Deer and waterfowl are numerous, rare nesting birds, including the osprey, are present and there are numerous rare plants, and other interesting flora, such as trailing arbutus and pink lady's slipper in their natural habitats. The preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, bridle, cross-country ski and nature trails, as well as freshwater fly fishing (by permit only) on the Connetquot River.
For Schools: Environmental Education Programs

Youth Programs available

The Long Island Environmental Interpretive Center is home to the Regional Environmental Education Team of environmental educators. Schools, youth organizations and special interest groups can make arrangements for interpretive programs and hikes at any of the State Parks on Long Island by calling this office. In addition to group hikes there are Fun for Kids Activities, Family Adventure Programs and Adult Ed-ventures for the general public run at several State Parks.

Connetquot River State Park Preserve

Home to the largest public fishing fleet on Long Island, Captree State Park is a fishing haven and a picnicker's delight, located on the eastern tip of Jones Island at the end of the Ocean Parkway. Open and charter boats are available for saltwater fishing. No license or equipment is necessary as the boat staff provides everything you'll need for a day on the Great South Bay or the Atlantic Ocean. Information on the fishing fleet is available at http://captreefleet.com/

The fleet also offers sightseeing excursions and scuba diving trips. There are two large fishing piers available for those who want to catch a few crabs or fish from a pier.

A full service restaurant operates in the park along with a more casual refreshment stand serving the best chili dogs anywhere. A picnic area at The Overlook offers a beautiful view of Fire Island and the Fire Island Lighthouse while boats of a variety of sizes pass through the Fire Island Inlet just below. A retail bait and tackle shop offers fishing gear and operates the fuel pumps at the boat basin. A boat launch is available for boats larger than 14' providing direct access to the State Boat Channel.

Captree State Park

Brentwood State Park is a 52-acre sport facility that consists of baseball fields and soccer fields.

Brentwood State Park is open weekdays, from 8:30am to sunset and weekends, from 7am to sunset.

Field Use Information

Anyone interested in securing field usage at Brentwood State Park must complete a Park Use Application and either mail, or hand deliver, the application to: Long Island State Parks - Permit Office 625 Belmont Avenue Babylon, NY 11702.

If you require additional information, please call the regional permit office, weekdays, 9am to 5pm at 631-321-3515.

Pet Policy: No Pets Allowed

Brentwood State Park

Robert Moses State Park is an ocean beachfront facility that attracts nearly 3.8 million visitors annually and boasts a shoreline of nearly five miles. As the most western point of Fire Island, the park is conveniently located at the southern end of the Robert Moses Causeway and is easily accessible by car or from the Babylon train station with a bus connection. Visitors are welcome to swim and boogie-board at any of our four lifeguard-staffed fields. Surfing and surf-fishing are popular activities that are enjoyed by many beach-goers as well. Each location is equipped with concessions, beach shops, first aid offices, comfort stations, and private outdoor showers. Scenic picnic areas complete with park grills and tables for any group size are located at fields 2, 3, and 4.

An 18-hole Pitch & Putt Golf Course is available at Field 2 for public use from early April through mid-November. Field 2 is also home to an expansive volleyball court area which can accommodate up to 21 games at a time. It sits just east of Democrat Point, a local favorite with surfers and fishermen alike for its 4x4 drive-on access and shorefronts which face both the Atlantic Ocean and the Fire Island Inlet.

Established in 1908 in honor of master builder Robert Moses, Field 3 is the park's oldest recreation area. It is the closest location to the park's landmark Water Tower, which serves as a perfect background to the field's picnic area. Here, visitors can utilize a spacious gazebo to host large gatherings on a first -come, first-serve basis. Patrons may also make use of an underpass tunnel that connects Field 3 to a day-use boat basin which can accommodate up to 80 personal watercrafts. Anglers typically take this walk from Field 3 to fish or crab off of the long piers in front of the facility's Park Office. Open 7 days a week, the Park Office sells an array of permits that allow visitors to make the most of their beach experience, including Empire Passports and Fishing, Surfing, and Star Gazing Permits.

Field 5 is the public's gateway to Fire Island. With a beautiful ¾ mile nature walk that leads directly to the Fire Island Lighthouse, visitors are free to explore nearby towns like Kismet and Saltaire by foot from the eastern parking lot. Perfect for families, Field 5 also offers a large playground area for children and a boardwalk that extends the length of the parking area.

All beachfronts are handicap-accessible by beach wheelchair, which are available free of charge on a first-come, first serve basis at any of our First Aid Offices. During the summer season, mobility mats, for easier beach access can be found at Field 2, Field 3 and Field 5.

Robert Moses State Park - Long Island

Belmont Lake State Park, located in West Babylon is a 463-acre day use park bisected by Carll's Creek and Belmont Lake. The park, established in 1926 had been owned by August Belmont and served as farmland for some of Belmont's equestrian activities. Robert Moses chose this park to establish the regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island in 1935, which serves the public today for region-wide permit sales, park administration and as headquarters for the New York State Park Police.

The park is primarily visited by families seeking outdoor gatherings, picnics, and informal sports activities. It provides a bucolic feeling adjacent to the Southern State Parkway at exit 38 among densely developed neighborhoods. Carll's Creek stretches 4.2 miles south to the Great South Bay with a trail for hiking and biking. Horseback riding is available through the nearby Babylon Riding Center (for information contact 631-587-7778). The 42-acre Belmont Lake is encircled by a similar path, making a total of 7.6 miles of multi-use trails.

Pedal boats, rowboats, and kayaks are available for rent on the lake through the summer. We allow kayaks and canoes to be launched from the boat dock while the boat dock is open (they can't be inflatable, must be hard bottomed, no motors, no surfboards or wakeboards, and no paddle boards). If you cannot bring your own kayak, kayak rentals are also available for a nominal fee.

The park's significant natural features include the 26-acre, spring-fed Belmont Lake and a significant wetland complex. The lake provides springtime trout fishing and summer bass fishing for the avid anglers who use the park. It is home to permanent and migratory waterfowl populations. Park visitors enjoy watching Osprey diving from high above to catch fish for their young in the spring. Other waterfowl that can be easily spotted include Northern Shovelers, Mergansers, Teal, Great Blue Heron, and Egrets.

Patrons enjoy activities such as picnicking, playgrounds, and using the various game courts and fields. The lake attracts trail walking, fishing and non-motorized boating. The 7.6 miles of trails throughout the park are available for hiking, walking, biking, nature observation and weather permitting, cross-country skiing.

Special events such as the Great Jack-O-Lantern Sail, Holiday Tree Lighting, Egg Hunt, and Fishing Expo draw the highest attendance on non-holiday weekends.

Find out more about park permit information.

Heckscher State Park Maps

East Islip, NY

Heckscher State Park Description

Download files (3):

Nearby
Parks

State Parks near Heckscher State Park