|
|
 |
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) to Commack Road exit 52. Head south about two miles. Look out for the new trailhead dirt parking lot and the brown and yellow DEC sign on the east side of Commack Rd.
General Description This a good ride if you live in the area and want to get a quick mountain bike ride in without having to travel far. Many off-road trails ideal for bicycling and hiking, including a paved section of the abandoned Old Commack Road wind through the Oak Brush Pine Barrens landscape of the 850 acre Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. The area is also great for bird-watching. Many species of birds including red-tail hawks, owls, and if you're lucky, even a bald eagle or two can be spotted. Rabbits, fox, raccoons, squirrels, frogs, snakes, turtles, and other species including rare flora and fauna also make their home here. The Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve was originally part of the Edgewood and Pilgrim State hospitals, built in the 1930's. It closed in 1969, and after years of indecision, the surrounding undeveloped lands were transferred to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1983. In 1987, the property was designated as part of the New York State Nature and Historic Preserve. Although the Edgewood Hospital buildings were torn down by the State when they took possession of the Preserve, you can still find remnants scattered about. C.L.I.M.B, The Friends of Edgewood Preserve, NY STATE DEC and the Town of Babylon got together to clean up and improve the Preserve facilities and trails. Future plans include the building of a Visitor Center at the Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve in Deer Park. The Preserve could also provide a vital link for the proposed Long Island Motor Parkway Path which could connect to Bethpage State Park about 16 miles to the west. During the summer of 2006, a brush fire swept through the Preserve's southern sections, burning about 100 acres. “Wildland” fires play a very important role in the Pine Barrens which are "fire dependent" natural communities. The DEC sometimes conducts controlled burns to help plant life regenerate. Many rare plant species have adapted to and depend on periodic fires for long term survival. As you bicycle or hike through, take note of how regrowth takes root in the pine barrens.
Edgewood Preserve Mountain Bike Trail Description: 5.5 miles of dedicated mountain bike trails consisting of a mix of old abandoned roads, dirt doubletrack and and some narrow singletrack trails thrown in for good measure, wind through a typical Long Island Pine Barrens landscape of predominantly pitch pine forest and shrub-savanna dominated by scrub oak, with a fairly open tree canopy. The relatively flat terrain, some moderate hills and smooth, wide hard-packed dirt roads makes this area a great place for beginners to practice bike handling skills, a family bike ride or just a nice after work or weekend workout.. To access the bike trails, take the first right after entering the Preserve from the trailhead (marked by a 4x4 DEC Post with sign). The mountain bike trails are blazed with white discs but it can get confusing at trail intersections until you learn the route and get the hang of how the mountain bike trail marker system works. If you come across two white discs stacked one above the other. . . the top disc indicates which way to turn at the NEXT intersection. The general rule of thumb is, you know you've made a wrong turn or are on the wrong trail if you don't see any white markers at all. The bike route eventually circumnavigates the area and ends back near the trailhead. After a rain, there may be several huge puddles to navigate around. Be on the alert for illegal ATV's especially around the turns.
Access: Year-round. Managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. A DEC permit is not required for the Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. For activities on most other NYSDEC lands on Long Island, a permit is required. The permit is free and valid for 3 years.
For more information: To report illegal activites call:
NY STATE DEC REGION 1: Phone: (631) 444-0273
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
federal & state trails / county & local trails / urban legends / new york rail trails / outdoor adventure centers & ski resorts |
|
|
|
Connecticut /
Delaware /
Maine /
Maryland /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
New Jersey /
home /
special features /
in the loop /
mountain bike events calendar /
resource hub /
the bike rack /
about /
Entire contents of website, © 1999 - 2008. All rights reserved. Lynn Creative, Inc. See Terms of Use. Bikekinetix® Is A Registered Trademark of Lynn Creative Inc. |
Directions & description
