Adventures
story and photos By Britney Grasman
Long Island
cises that could be done with fixtures positioned throughout the course of the trail. Along with cardio from hiking, biking, and jogging, the built-in course allowed visitors to engage in strength training without having to lug heavy equipment along the way. Caumset State Park is open year round and aside from the trails, it hosts a multitude of other activities, including fishing and scuba diving (with a permit), and even cross country skiing in the winter months—making it a no-brainer to take advantage of one of Long Island’s parks. On the off chance a descriptive scenic overview hasn’t convinced you to visit one of Long Island’s parks, here’s a few other reasons we love them:
• They’re cost efficient:
Parking at the park is a miniscule $8.00 per car—a small price to pay for a days worth of outdoor beauty. Consider the cost of an outing to the movies, which can cost you upwards of $25.00 for just two people. Throw in kids, candy, and refreshments, and the price skyrockets for a shorter period as compared to a day at the park.
• They’re a bonding experience and a stress reducer:
Weather flying solo, with a partner or a group, Long Island parks are a way to derail you from a computer screen, iPhone or television, and helps you to get in touch with bonding with friends or with nature. The outdoors is a great way to socialize and interact, to sort out problems and rid yourself of stressors from work or anything that is sidetracking or distracting you. Running, hiking, jogging, and fishing alone can be contemplative without distraction. With others, it allows time to vent and to listen, or to just catch up.
• They keep you physically fit:
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Need I mention once more the span of activities Caumset, like many parks on the Island, place at your fingertips? Who said being in shape was expensive? Ditch the fast food and bring a picnic lunch with sandwiches and fruits to eat at a picnic table under a shady tree, or on a bench in the garden after your workout.
the geography hasn’t put a halt to hiking. Many parks from Nassau to Suffolk have trails that invite it, and offer hiking and biking trails, along with bird watching and bridle paths. At a closer glance, we’re seeing why Long Island truly has it all. I packed my boots, bags and a bike and headed out to Lloyd Neck for a morning of hiking and biking at one of the Long Island’s many scenic parks—Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve. On the North Shore, the 1,500 acre estate kisses the Long Island Sound, and although it wasn’t a mountain, experiencing the many amenities Caumset had to offer opened my eyes to why hiking on our island, surrounded by water, may be better than other states’ woodlands. A garden a few hundred feet from the entrance of the park sets the tone for a relaxing morning. Filled with flowers, trees, stone paths, fountains, and wooden benches beneath shady trees, the garden provided an escape to read, eat or rest. An exit to the west led to a paved path that made its way through the grounds, underneath trees and over rustic bridges and streams. The tree-lined path was akin to a southern road. It leads you past a summer cottage, a Gold Coasts mansion, and stab les that housed riding horses. Children and couples rode bikes, solo runners jogged by with their headphones in, and the atmosphere was fresh—not overpopulated like so much of Long Island. And presented so much beauty. The path eventually led to the woods, and the openness of the field that surrounded the trail became enclosed with an abundance of trees and brush. To the right, wooden posts held a sign with something I’d seen before —The signage displayed an array of exer-
estled between the bustling concrete jungle and the vast Atlantic ocean, Long Island has extensively been a vacation spot for both natives and tourists throughout the year. Specifically in the summer months, many flock to the Island’s East End out towards Montauk and the Hamptons. The towns thrive with lavish restaurants, bars, shops and beaches, and there seems to be something for everyone. Despite the multitude of activities and attractions, Long Island hasn’t appealed to the hiking community, due to the general flatness of the area. Jayne’s Hill in Huntington and Bald Hill in Farmingdale are two of the highest points on the island—with elevations of 401 ft. and 331 ft., respectively. At first glance, it’s evident that Long Island lacks mountains and terrain, but regardless,
Now that we’ve (hopefully) gotten you on board, our one piece of advice would be to plan ahead. If your visiting in the summer, be sure to bring sun screen, or a hat for protection, bug spray, snacks and proper attire are all things to take into consideration, weather visiting for an hour or an entire afternoon. Always remember to check the weather and dress for the occasion. And most importantly, get out, try something new, and have fun!
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