I apologize ahead of time if this review drips with catered-by-BNL runoff, but the Peconic is…read moreexpansive and beautiful despite the disaster it's become. It provides a great respite, remaining fairly serene and quiet even on the big summer holiday weekends when you're forced to navigate through novice kayakers launching from Paddler.

I will give this park four stars for what it is, a nice place to take a walk or do laps in the…read moreneighborhood. The paved asphalt path is stated to be 1,820 feet, 0.35 miles. The path is a much more enjoyable walk then going to the local High School track. There are also trails into the woods. They intersect at a geometric pattern made from slate stone with with three stone benches.

Visit Date: July 17, 2020…read more I came here to go on a hike. I use hiking, biking and roller skating on quads to cross train cardio for when I run. I also do dessert fairy dusting so I plan out my hiking visits to coincide some dusting drops. I loved this park but I had no idea it was so small. The cement trail is only .4 of a mile. By the time I drive to a new trail to check it out I usually don't have much time to hike on it before I should head back home, take a shower and do whatever else I'm doing for that day so I usually will only get a mile maybe two on a trail but for this trail I had to walk around it multiple times, weaving in and out of the wooded side paths in order to make at least one mile of hiking. Other than it being so tiny it was a nice little well maintained park. If you're a novice hiker or a runner looking for a fairly safe place to do hikes this park is good for you.

The dried up river was actually really nice to look at, and there was a swing near the remains of…read morethe river that was nice to swing on and get pictures on.

Beautiful any season!! Trails aren't always 100% well-marked, but that might just be my bad sense…read moreof direction!! Peaceful, quiet, clean, and LOTS to see and do here!! Group camping, dog park, large lake with rowboats to rent, and more!! ENJOY!! And get there EARLY for a good parking spot!!

Avalon Nature Preserve is a nice place to go hiking. I've always enjoyed being outdoors, taking in…read morethe scenery, listening to the birds, and meeting others who share my love for mini adventures. Upon arriving, my husband and I parked in the Forest parking lot, which had ample parking spaces and a map, laying out available trail options. We began with the Hilltop Meadow, which we completed fairly quickly. After, we thought we'd challenge ourselves a bit more by taking on the Forest Sanctuary. We enjoyed this trail, although we sometimes had to look over our shoulders to investigate the noises around us. Everything kept us on our toes, from squirrels to deer, chipmunks, and other wildlife. The terrain may be difficult for some, due to the tree roots and the uphill climbs, but other than that, it was manageable. We appreciated that there were several signs posted throughout the park, helping us to keep track of our location. Additionally, there were warning signs reminding us of the possibility of tick exposure. One thing is for sure: we kept it moving and thoroughly checked our clothing afterwards. My favorite trail of the day was The Mill Pond. I loved the well-paved paths and the overall layout. I could've spent hours here. I highly recommend this park for those who enjoy the outdoors.

Gorgeous place! Lot's of cool trails to go through and has so many separate areas! First you have…read morethe lake area, then the meadow, then the forest...etc Avalon has lot's of variety!

I went here last week for a hike with family where there would be not be a lot of people and it was…read moresuccessful. We did pass by a couple of groups on the trail, but had spent most of the time alone. There were only a handful of spots in the parking area so that limits the amount of groups that can be there at one time. The trail itself was a easy flat one mile loop around a lake/bog. It was previously used for farming Cranberries as the name suggests. You can even see the leftover of an old pump house used in the process on the side of the trail. Plenty of scenic views of the bog and two bridges that need to be crossed to complete the trail. A few signs from the parking lot to guide people to the main trail and a map at the beginning would be helpful. There was a couple of trails that led away from the main loop, but we did not check it out since we did not know where they went.

Do not let bad reviews discourage you from this park. Cranberry bog is a wonderful place to go if…read moreyou want to explore nature and the remnants of the cranberry harvesting industry. You will find several interesting plants from cedars to sundews to other types. The animal and insect life is also varied, you can expect to see different colored dragonflies, snapping turtles, sunfish and a whole host of other critters to keep your interest. If you look really carefully you can see tree stumps sticking out of the water from long cut down trees from when the place was flooded and industry took over. Bring a field guide and if you go during the warmer weather, tick repellent is required since they unfortunately inhabit the area as well. As of this post the new bridge has been built over the inlet stream so you now can walk the whole loop.

On memory alone this place scores a 5! Yes it is somewhat dirty with tons of goose crap. But I…read morebasically spent years 2-16 coming here all the time. The little play area of the park was so cool when I was 2-5. Then it was the lake I loved swimming in and where I learned how to swim (6-8). My mom would always yell to me not to go past my waist but I did any way. The trick is to go in almost to the waist and dive forward and go under and then swim back to waist length depth. She never knew, or, she probably did and figured she would let me think I was being clever. A little older I remember throwing my ninja turtle(s) into the "deep end" and trying to find them. So yah, if anyone finds him send me a message. When I was a little older I jumped off the docks and eventually, rode my bike off of it too (dumb "tweens"). There were always the basketball courts though those are in sad shape and when I was younger, the scary older boys looked imposing. Around the same time my friend and I would ride our bikes* to Rogers lake and/or kayak. Finally, from about 14-16 or 17 or so, I did crew and those are my last memories. I think I purposely flipped my boat deep in the water the last time I ever went on the lake. *Watch your bikes. Don't do what I did and "hide" it by some bush near the lake. Some good for nothing low life scum stole my Grey Gary Fisher bike and I never got it back, obviously (cops don't care). I wish karma strikes this loser back in whatever way is deemed appropriate by those who dole it out (perhaps some low life can steal his/her childs bike). Other than bike stealing low life losers, I suspect it was someone with the first name E, this is a safe place.

We were looking for a nice place to stretch the pups legs. This quiet, rarely marked trail will…read morehave you doing circles. And we enjoyed it. Hiking at just over a 1 1/2 miles, this is a pack in pack out park, with no restrooms. The trails are not well marked and you can lose yourself in the fantastic maze. The lake is not easily seen from the trail, but the lake provides watering spots for the pups. An excellent stop through wine country to catch your breath and grab a walk.

This is such a lovely little park which can accommodate many interests from a little playground for…read morethe kids to viewing ducks on the beautiful lawn. I truly enjoyed the tranquil moments that I had chilling with my family here today. What extraordinary find to get some relaxation. Please note all signs were obeyed by people with social distancing and people wearing masks.

Beautiful little park in Southampton right along Agawam lake is a nice spot to come sit and relax…read more In the summer they host an outdoor concert series on the lawn. There's even a pretty big play ground for the kids. If you're in the area and need a rest then this park is just right.

One of LI's hidden gems - also happens to be free. Well kept trails and birds of prey you can check…read moreout before talking a nice walk. Trails are very easy to walk, even if you have a stroller with you. Easy beginner hike or leisurely stroll for just about anyone.

4.5 Stars.    I love…read morethe Long Island Pine Barrens Region. So much so, that in Las Vegas, I have had dreams that I was hiking in Sears Burrows County Park. A few forested miles southwest of it, my dream kind of came true when we visited the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. My stepmother, who is familiar with the Refuge encouraged my dad and I to join her there on a nature walk.    The Quogue Wildlife Refuge has been protecting this 305 acre naturescape since 1934. It is a naturescape adorned with pine forests, fields, the rare dwarf pine forest, bogs, swamps, a pond, and pine oak forests.    Contrary to how I envisioned the Refuge, it was not this difficult to find place. Parking was right off Old Country Road. Across from the unpaved parking lot were the attractions that serve as a trailhead to the four color coded trails (please see the map proceeding the review) that range from a 0.8 mile hike on the Green Trail to a 2.5 mile hike on the Blue Trail. Welcoming us was the Outdoor Wildlife Complex where injured wildlife are well taken care of thanks to the kindness of people that care. One of the acts of kindness are the Visitors who donate money at the entrance. This leads to the point that admission is free, yet a donation is the right thing to do. I took some time photographing the animals that included owls, foxes, raccoons, and Giant African Spurred tortoises in the nearby greenhouse. Although these aren't grand habitats that would be found in the Bronx Zoo, I appreciated that the animals had a home. In the shadow of the Outdoor Wildlife Complex and pine trees was the full service restrooms. All the way to the left was the Old Ice Pond.    My Dad, stepmother, and yours truly engaged in a relatively short walk in the southeast corner of the park where a pine oak forest interspersed with fields dominate. My Dad's knees bother him, so we engaged in a shorter hike with breaks on the benches breathing, hearing, and sightseeing the pine barrens. We'd see a deer and birds up on the pine trees. Our ears would also take in the sound of the nearby train. Our experience leads to the point that the seven miles of hiking trails appear to be more relaxing than strenuous.    The Old Ice Pond framed by a mature forest is the picture postcard centerpiece of the landscape. There are hiking trails that overlook it. We took in this picture postcard from a bench and inside the Charles Banks Belt Nature Center, which looks like an inn overlooking the pond. We shared the panoramic spectacular views of the ice pond with several volunteers who were sending out materials that we assumed were promoting the Refuge. Within this building that reminds me of a lodge, is a museum of neat nature related stuff. Some were real like the lizards. The preserved butterflies were really cool. This is a neat place to check out when it os open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.    Our visit ended with the three of us taking in the springtime scenery of the Old Ice Pond.    I do have a concern that is causing me to leave my rating at 4.5 instead of 5 stars. That has to do with the east preiphery fence. When we walked along the southeast border there was a fence smack dab in the middle of the pine forest. My concern is that this is unprotected land that can fall victim to the bulldozer. If that were to happen, it would ruin the experience on account of a truncated forest causing the Refuge to feel more like a caged in 305 acre yard than a part of a pine forest. I really hope that the other side of the east periphery fence is a protected forest. My concern is merited from seeing a before and after picture inside the Nature Center of rapid sprawl along nearby County Route 104.    On the future, I would love to return to Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Especially in the Fall when the trees change colors over the pond. Until then, I hope to have more dreams about the Pine Barrens.