Numero Uno
The vast area of almost three thousand five hundred acres of the Connetquot River State Park makes it the largest on Long Island. Dense urban and industrial development of the entire eastern United States makes Parks such as this all the more precious. The River after which the Park is named has a Majestic presence and supports a broad genetic range of animal life.
The Park was rescued from the clutches of private individuals as recently as 1978, and is now under the professional care of the State administration. It had functioned as a hunting ground for wealthy owners who would hunt in its secret stretches and dip in to the river for delicious trout. There are parts of the Connetquot River State where the soil is rich enough to support Oak trees which are so common on Long Island. Much of the Park lies at the edge of the Moraine from the Ice Age, so there is much area with residual debris that makes for sandy top soil. Such zones bear species of pine trees with deep root systems that can reach in to well hidden aquifers. The Park makes best use of varying soil textures that it has been handed, to build a handsome collection of both slender trees that reach far in to the sky and some with more generous girth. It almost goes without mention that our feathered friends lose no time to use the buffet of all kinds of branches and axils, to nest here in noisy numbers and gay abandon.
Directions: Box 505 Oakdale, NY 11769 Phone: (631) 581-1005 Seasons/Hours: The preserve operates year round. Pets:
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The National Recreation Trail includes a relatively gentle path through the Connetquot River State Park, with grand views of pine and oak forests by the banks of the gracious river after which the wilderness is named. The Park includes an early 18th century grist mill that is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the National Trail passes within sight of this structure. The Connetquot River State Park should therefore be on the Agenda of all those who profess to be hikers and those with an interest in the agricultural origins of modern 
It is easy to drive in to the Park, and the easy access only adds to the wild attraction of the vast expanse of wooded wetlands. Long Island residents can reach deep in to the splendid isolation of the greenery, in about the same time as it would take to hit the busy center of Manhattan across the Sound.
Bird watchers can be picky about the avian species they have the potential to sight, before deciding where to vacation next, so it is appropriate to spend some lines on the ducks of the Connetquot River State Park in a bid to invite people everywhere to share in the pleasures of visiting this delightful gift from nature to lucky Long Island. An artificial water body meant to service the historic Grist Mill is the most favored site of the ducks. The Bay is never far from the Park even for lazy ducks, so the shore-bird types that savor crustacean delicacies, are most common here. Redheads and baffle heads are easiest to see even during a casual stroll, but serious birders can photograph, sketch and observe a number of less striking ones if they can invest the time.
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