Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Milburn Creek Park
(Baldwin)

Sunrise Highway separates Milburn Creek and Pond from Brookside Preserve. Here you get an enjoyable mile-long walk along the creek where you can observe the tidal flow that sends its saltwater up and down the freshwater creek. Tall stands of reed grass (Phragmites) sway in the wind along the length of the creek. A graceful curved bridge enables you to cross the creek.

Try to time your visit here so that you arrive three or four hours after low tide, when the tide is coming in. Check the newspaper’s tide tables. With the right timing, you may be lucky enough to see the amazing way the tide flows upstream. Look at floating leaves and other objects in the water at the surface and at various depths below the surface. You may see leaves on or near the surface floating downstream in the freshwater. At the same time, floating objects six inches down will be heading up the stream. You can actually watch them go in opposite directions at the same time! This happens because saltwater is heavier than freshwater. As the gravity effect of the moon and sun pull it upstream, the saltwater wedges its way under the freshwater, which continues to flow downstream, over the saltwater. After the high tide of course, the salt and fresh water both flow downstream, so you won’t see this phenomenon.

How to Get There: Take the Meadowbrook Parkway to exit M8W. Go west on Sunrise Highway for 1.7 miles and turn left on South Brookside Avenue. Make a left onto Brookside Avenue. Park in the small parking area located on Merrick Road across from the pond, just past the high school.

Stroll part way around Milburn Pond. When you come to Merrick Road, cross it and follow the paved walkway along the creek. At the bridge, linger on it and enjoy the view of the creek. Hopefully you can also watch the fascinating upstream flow of the tide. The trail ends at the Milburn Creek boat-launching ramp on Atlantic Avenue. On the south side of Atlantic Avenue, one can see first-hand a big part of South Shore Estuary culture. When you get to the end of the park, add variety by returning on the opposite walkway from the one you took in.

While visiting Milburn Creek Park, stop off at the newly renovated Woodcleft Canal for some delectable treats for both the eyes and the taste buds. To get there, continue on Brookside Avenue south to Merrick Road. Make a left onto Merrick Road and take it to Guy Lombardo Avenue. Make a right and take it south to Front Street (just past the ball field). Make a right onto Front Street and a left onto Woodcleft Avenue. A large municipal parking lot is located about half way down on the left, just past the LI Marine Education Center.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Milburn Creek Park (Baldwin) Sunrise Highway separates Milburn Creek and Pond from Brookside Preserve. Here you get an enjoyable mile-long walk along the creek where you can observe the tidal flow that sends its saltwater up and down the freshwater creek. Tall stands of reed grass (Phragmites) sway in the wind along the length of the creek. A graceful curved bridge enables you to cross the creek. Try to time your visit here so that you arrive three or four hours after low tide, when the tide is coming in. Check the newspaper’s tide tables. With the right timing, you may be lucky enough to see the amazing way the tide flows upstream. Look at floating leaves and other objects in the water at the surface and at various depths below the surface. You may see leaves on or near the surface floating downstream in the freshwater. At the same time, floating objects six inches down will be heading up the stream. You can actually watch them go in opposite directions at the same time! This happens because saltwater is heavier than freshwater. As the gravity effect of the moon and sun pull it upstream, the saltwater wedges its way under the freshwater, which continues to flow downstream, over the saltwater. After the high tide of course, the salt and fresh water both flow downstream, so you won’t see this phenomenon. How to Get There: Take the Meadowbrook Parkway to exit M8W. Go west on Sunrise Highway for 1.7 miles and turn left on South Brookside Avenue. Make a left onto Brookside Avenue. Park in the small parking area located on Merrick Road across from the pond, just past the high school. Stroll part way around Milburn Pond. When you come to Merrick Road, cross it and follow the paved walkway along the creek. At the bridge, linger on it and enjoy the view of the creek. Hopefully you can also watch the fascinating upstream flow of the tide. The trail ends at the Milburn Creek boat-launching ramp on Atlantic Avenue. On the south side of Atlantic Avenue, one can see first-hand a big part of South Shore Estuary culture. When you get to the end of the park, add variety by returning on the opposite walkway from the one you took in. While visiting Milburn Creek Park, stop off at the newly renovated Woodcleft Canal for some delectable treats for both the eyes and the taste buds. To get there, continue on Brookside Avenue south to Merrick Road. Make a left onto Merrick Road and take it to Guy Lombardo Avenue. Make a right and take it south to Front Street (just past the ball field). Make a right onto Front Street and a left onto Woodcleft Avenue. A large municipal parking lot is located about half way down on the left, just past the LI Marine Education Center.