Summer is around the corner but with Covid-19 still looming, people want to go outdoors but avoid crowds. Here are some lesser known places on Long Island to enjoy.
The Clark Botanical Garden, located at 193 I.U. Willets Rd Albertson, NY 11507, this small but powerful garden is filled with a myriad of flowers and local pollinators (including bee keeping). The 12-acre non-profit is free and open daily from 10am-4pm.
Clarkbotanic.org writes, “Collections at the garden include native spring wildflowers, conifers, roses, perennials, daylilies, wetland plants, rock garden plants, herbs, butterfly plants, medicinal plants and over a dozen collections of particular plant families.” It’s the perfect place for a light casual walk and when the rose garden section is in bloom, the place feels like a fairy tale trapped in 12 acres.
Next is a recent discovery, Tackapausha Museum and Preserve located at 2225 Washington Ave Seaford, NY 11783. Another small but captivating place this preserve attached to a museum offers trails and if in the museum, close encounters with owls, foxes and other animals in a staff lead informational show. Open Thursday- Sunday 11am- 4pm for $5 for adults, $3 for children and seniors, this is a wonderful spot for individual nature lovers or families alike.
They write on their Facebook page “We have over 100 different live animals. We offer Educational Programs, Birthday Parties, Community Service Projects, and Boy and Girl Scout programs/badges.” There was nothing like seeing a bald eagle tear apart a fish and eat it and a porcupine pick up their bowl and search for a comfortable place to rest.
For the dog owner, forest enthusiast and marine lover, Gardiner County Park is the place to be which is located on Montauk Hwy, Bay Shore, NY 11706. The 231-acre public park on the Great South Bay has many amenities such as bird watching, three designated dog areas for dogs of different sizes, a hiking trail, nature trails and picnicking spots. Open every day from 7am-6pm the scenic spot is for those who wish to socialize and those who don’t.
“I love that it’s got a good mix of forest and beach. You can take a nice walk through the woods, see some wetlands and then you’re out on the Gardiners Bay and it’s very pretty.. lots of birds and wildlife,” lifelong Long Island resident and ecologist Daniel Pascucci said.
Lastly, located on the North Shore Welwyn Preserve is a nature reserve with a quirky personality. Located at 100 Crescent Beach Rd, Glen Cove, NY 11542, the 204-acre nature reserve has a clash of what it wants to be. With nature trails, a beach area and an impromptu faux urban exploring complete with graffiti, this place is for nature enthusiasts as well as teenagers to get away from life for a while.
Open 8am-6pm every day the preserve sits next to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, a leader in anti-bias education. “Welwyn is the perfect size and wild enough to feel like you’re in true nature. With diverse biome differences and a non-intimidating size,” Glen Cove enthusiast Wolfgang Kovac said.
Big or small it is important to try and enjoy the outdoors a little and enjoy our natural wonders surrounding us. Hopefully this list has helped someone get away from the minutia of a every day and into some new journeys.
