Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Lakeland County Park
(Islandia)

Lakeland County Park is a gem of a park. It has one of the finest networks of woodland boardwalks in Long Island. Roughly a half mile of handsomely constructed boardwalks take you conveniently to five overlooks and across the Connetquot River channel four times. Furthermore, about 0.4 miles of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail crosses the park on its way south to Connetquot State Park.

In the 1970s, the nature park almost became an industrial “park”. The beach-like area on the south side of Honeysuckle Pond is actually where bulldozers started construction. But the local community protested, defeating the project. This delightful park is their legacy. It also enabled the Greenbelt Trail to have a corridor to cross without interruption.

How to Get There: Take the Long Island Expressway to exit 58. Head south on Old Nichol’s Road. In about a half-mile, turn left on Johnson Avenue. In 0.5 miles, turn right into the park entrance. The park is open 8 am to dusk. Obtain a map at the park office.

It should be noted that the park is also an alternate access into Connetquot River State Park, which is only 0.4 miles south. From the parking lot, walk toward the building, then cross the driveway to where the boardwalk starts, just left of the administration building. Down the “Rabbit Run” Boardwalk, turn left on “Black Duck Drive” to its end where there is a creek view called “Duck Haven.” Return to Rabbit Run and turn left. When you cross the creek, turn right. Make another right to an overlook. Continue down the boardwalk and turn right onto another foot bridge with a “Bird’s Eye View.” Turn right after the bridge and then right again to cross another footbridge with a pretty view across tranquil Honeysuckle Pond. Watch for wading birds, waterfowl, muskrat and songbirds here. Continue across and stay straight ahead on “Forest Fern Walk.”

When you come to the park driveway, turn left, and left again onto “Opossum Place” boardwalk. You get another pond vista at “Snappers Corners.” Continue on “Sunnyside Circle” boardwalk and turn right to return over the previous footbridge. Turn right on the other side and leave the boardwalk. You are on the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. Pause at another overlook, and then continue south on the trail. When you come to the next trail intersection, turn right and you come to the interesting tunnel under the Long Island Railroad. If you happen to be there when the train passes, you will be stunned by how loud its roar is.

You can follow the white-blazed Greenbelt Trail south from here into Connetquot River State Park for as long as you wish. To return from the railroad tunnel, we suggest a woods path for variety, instead of the boardwalks. From the tunnel, go straight across the trail intersection. At the next trail, turn right. Stay on this trail, passing a boardwalk. Just before you come to Johnson Avenue, turn left. This trail turns into a boardwalk. Make the next right, cross the creek, and the boardwalk returns you to your car.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Lakeland County Park (Islandia) Lakeland County Park is a gem of a park. It has one of the finest networks of woodland boardwalks in Long Island. Roughly a half mile of handsomely constructed boardwalks take you conveniently to five overlooks and across the Connetquot River channel four times. Furthermore, about 0.4 miles of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail crosses the park on its way south to Connetquot State Park. In the 1970s, the nature park almost became an industrial “park”. The beach-like area on the south side of Honeysuckle Pond is actually where bulldozers started construction. But the local community protested, defeating the project. This delightful park is their legacy. It also enabled the Greenbelt Trail to have a corridor to cross without interruption. How to Get There: Take the Long Island Expressway to exit 58. Head south on Old Nichol’s Road. In about a half-mile, turn left on Johnson Avenue. In 0.5 miles, turn right into the park entrance. The park is open 8 am to dusk. Obtain a map at the park office. It should be noted that the park is also an alternate access into Connetquot River State Park, which is only 0.4 miles south. From the parking lot, walk toward the building, then cross the driveway to where the boardwalk starts, just left of the administration building. Down the “Rabbit Run” Boardwalk, turn left on “Black Duck Drive” to its end where there is a creek view called “Duck Haven.” Return to Rabbit Run and turn left. When you cross the creek, turn right. Make another right to an overlook. Continue down the boardwalk and turn right onto another foot bridge with a “Bird’s Eye View.” Turn right after the bridge and then right again to cross another footbridge with a pretty view across tranquil Honeysuckle Pond. Watch for wading birds, waterfowl, muskrat and songbirds here. Continue across and stay straight ahead on “Forest Fern Walk.” When you come to the park driveway, turn left, and left again onto “Opossum Place” boardwalk. You get another pond vista at “Snappers Corners.” Continue on “Sunnyside Circle” boardwalk and turn right to return over the previous footbridge. Turn right on the other side and leave the boardwalk. You are on the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. Pause at another overlook, and then continue south on the trail. When you come to the next trail intersection, turn right and you come to the interesting tunnel under the Long Island Railroad. If you happen to be there when the train passes, you will be stunned by how loud its roar is. You can follow the white-blazed Greenbelt Trail south from here into Connetquot River State Park for as long as you wish. To return from the railroad tunnel, we suggest a woods path for variety, instead of the boardwalks. From the tunnel, go straight across the trail intersection. At the next trail, turn right. Stay on this trail, passing a boardwalk. Just before you come to Johnson Avenue, turn left. This trail turns into a boardwalk. Make the next right, cross the creek, and the boardwalk returns you to your car.