Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the addition of 180 acres to Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve in Suffolk County, Long Island. The expansion aims to protect coastal habitats and provide more recreational opportunities for the public. The newly acquired land includes woodlands, wetlands, and coastal bluffs and was identified as a priority in the New York State Open Space Plan.
According to Governor Hochul, “New York is full of natural wonder, and this new expansion of Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve on Long Island ensures that our children and future generations will have more public lands to enjoy under the State’s ownership. Conservation efforts like this are essential to addressing critical challenges like climate change and expanding recreation opportunities across the state parks system.”
The acquisition was made by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation using nearly $18 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. The parcel, formerly part of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, lies directly south of Caumsett’s existing 1,500 acres. It features 12 acres of estuarine and marine wetlands as well as bluffs near Lloyd Neck Harbor that are prone to erosion. The purchase is intended to prevent environmental degradation and restore habitats for native wildlife while also creating new spaces for recreation with views of Lloyd Neck Harbor Inlet.
New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “These 180 acres of sensitive coastal habitat and new areas for recreation are an excellent addition to the New York State park system. Expanding Caumsett advances our efforts to protect important ecological resources while also making it easier for residents and visitors to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside,’ in alignment with Governor Hochul’s initiative to create affordable ways for kids and families to recreate distraction free.”
With this addition, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve now covers 1,680 acres on a peninsula extending into Long Island Sound. The park offers bridle paths, nature trails through woodland and meadows, rock shoreline, salt marshes, gardens, a historic estate home, fishing spots, cross-country skiing routes, hiking trails, biking paths, bird watching areas, scuba diving locations and equestrian facilities.
The New York State Office of Parks manages over 250 parks and sites statewide which together receive more than 88 million visitors each year. More information about these recreation areas can be found at parks.ny.gov or by downloading the NY State Parks Explorer app.