BELMONT LAKE STATE PARK

BELMONT LAKE STATE PARK
North Babylon

Home base!

The State Department for Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation puts its best foot forward for the Belmont Lake State Park because the Headquarters of the entire Long Island Region is sited here. The Park has everything that a family could want for a relaxing break from work and routine.

The Belmont Lake State Park is about 40 miles from Manhattan and Exit 38 of the Southern State Parkway gets you to the picnic spot reasonably soon after you leave home. You can bring a dog along, though the restricted area where it is allowed on a short leash does not include the spots where others may settle to eat.

Most families would expect more than a bunch of picnic spots after a 40-mile drive, and they will not find the Belmont Lake State Park wanting. Boating and fishing are top attractions and put the best assets of the Park to full use. Enthusiastic anglers love to add to their trophies and stories from this Park, and novices can look forward to some encouraging luck as well! The warm and relatively shallow water is especially full of largemouth bass and large carp. Trout is available each spring.

The hiking trails transport visitors in to delightful isolation amongst birds and trees. The Oak Pine land of this Park is amongst the best in this part of the United States. There are paths for horses if you do not care for the exercise on foot and cross-country skiing also, if you are up to it. An accommodating feature of the Belmont Lake State Park is its ability to find suitable diversion for each member of a large family or group.

There are courts for a host of ball games, horse shoes areas and play grounds as well for smaller children. These sports facilities make for a great day outing and add to the enjoyment of the Park's natural surroundings. It also brings in young people who live nearby, frequently and almost as regulars.

The Park is open throughout the day and all year round. There are interesting events at frequent intervals, such as the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. The latter includes enchanting figurine displays, free rides in horse-drawn carriages and informal concerts. The festivities are especially directed as children, but succeed in giving pleasure to adults as well.

The Belmont Lake State Park incorporates some interesting history apart from its scenic beauty. It was part of a large estate with stately building, and is named after its former owner. August Belmont loved horses, set a tradition of maintaining stables that continues in the Park until today, and promoted racing the muscular animals as a sport.

The Belmont Lake State Park now covers 400 acres and is one of the best recreation areas in Long Island. Thousands of New Yorkers enjoy its bounteous surroundings, and Babylon residents can almost consider it part of their own town. It has served the community for over 7 decades and is set to convey great value and special experiences to future generations.

Directions: Southern State Parkway Exit 38. Entrance $4 per car daily May 25-Sept. 2, weekends/holidays Sept 7-Oct. 14. This 459-acre spread surrounds a lovely lake, with picnic and play areas nearby.

Season: year-round, sunrise-sunset daily.

Facilities: 3 softball fields, 2 miles of biking/walking trails, 2-mile bridle path with stables (rentals), rowboat rentals weekends/holidays May 25-Sept. 1, plus Fridays July 5-Aug. 30, freshwater fishing from shore (license), large mouth bass fishing from rowboats 5 a.m.-9 a.m. Friday-Sunday June 1-Sept. 1 (reservations needed, $15 per person, freshwater license over age 15), 15-acre picnic area/pavilions, playgrounds, exercise trail, horseshoe pits.

Events: Summer Run Series, tree-lighting ceremony.

Information: General, (631) 667-5055; Babylon Riding Center, (631) 587-7778.