Connetquot River State Park Preserve - Islip, NY
Written by Dan Neri
Encompassing 3,743 acres, Connetquot River State Park Preserve is Long Islands largest State Park. In 1866 the South Side Sportsmen club bought the park for a private fishing and hunting preserve. They sold the park in 1973 and in 1974, the park was opened to the public as a State park, and in August of 1987, became New York’s first State Park preserve, ensuring its preservation as a historical and recreational site.
The buildings used by such notables as Daniel Webster, Ulysses S. Grant, General William
Sherman, the Vanderbilts, and Teddy Roosevelt and their private hunting clubs still stand
in the park. Snedecors Inn now houses a sportsman’s museum and NWPLI’s monthly
meetings.
The
wildlife that can be found in the park include abundant white-tailed deer, wild turkey,
pheasant, ducks, geese, swans, heron, egret, hawks, owls, and osprey.
The
photo opportunities are endless. In any season, the park offers much to focus on.
Down at the Hatchery in the summer, Osprey circle
overhead all day long. They can be found perched over the banks of the lakes and hatchery
ponds waiting for the trout to drop their guard. They fish mostly in the morning and later
in the evening. Find a nice spot on the edge of the river and wait. You’ll get your
shot while the osprey get theirs.
In the fall, the deer go into their rut, and beautifully racked bucks seek the perfect mate. The competition for females can get fierce, and if you are lucky enough, you may see a fight first hand. The deer here are very tolerant of people, and most of the time you find yourself moving back to get a better composition as the deer are sometimes too close.
If the winter can produce some snow, the open fields, barns, and riverbanks make for stunning landscapes. The geese, swans, and ducks walking on the frozen water of the main pond are also fun to photograph. It’s almost comical watching the geese do a sliding landing on the ice. Try to get there for the sunset. The light reflecting off of the main pond is nothing short of spectacular.
Spring brings new life to the park, and I can think of nothing nicer than to hear the crisp call of wild turkeys on a cool spring morning. The turkeys can be reluctant to pose at times, so be patient, stay low, and remain quiet. Wildflowers begin to bloom, and most residents of the park seem to enjoy the more mild weather.
Access to the park is by permit only. The permits are free. Inquire at the main gate about an application. In addition to the wonderful photo opportunities, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, fly-fishing, and hiking along the parks 50 miles of trails keep visitors coming back again and again.