Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Prosser Pines
(Middle Island)

Prosser Pines County Nature Preserve is one of the most impressive places on Long Island to experience an evergreen “forest cathedral.” Majestic white pines tower over you in hushed silence. Their sweet scent permeates the air. Many people experience a sense of reverence. A strong breeze creates an even more enchanted feeling, with the mysterious murmuring of the wind through millions of pine needles. Not surprisingly, this preserve is a popular place for outdoor weddings.

Prosser Pines is one of the oldest surviving pine plantations in the eastern U.S. The pines were planted in 1812 on farmland. The seedlings came from a neighbor’s farm, descendants of pine seedlings brought from Quebec in 1759 by an officer in the French and Indian War! Although hurricanes have blown down many of the original pines, some of them still stand. Other mature pines that have naturally replaced the ones that were lost surround them. The only known South Shore woodland that is more ancient is Sunken Forest, the pygmy holly forest on Fire Island.

By the time the Prosser family bought this land around 1900, the pines had grown to their impressive size. The Prossers took great pride in their pine cathedral and many people came from quite a distance to admire them. After World War II, area residents and groups struggled to get the grove to be protected forever. Finally, a quarter-century later, the county purchased the grove as a County Preserve.

The neighboring Cathedral Pines County Park, across Route 21, was named after this grove. Even though this other park lacks towering trees, its manager also oversees the care of Prosser Pines. For information, contact (631) 852-5500.

How to Get There: Take the Long Island Expressway (Route 495) to exit 67 North. Head north on Route 21 (called Yaphank Road, then Main Street in Yaphank, then Yaphank-Middle Island Road). About 2.9 miles from the Expressway, you pass the entrance to Cathedral Pines County Park on your left and then Longwood Road on your right. Continue a half-mile further on Route 21 and turn right into Prosser Pines Preserve parking lot.

Enter the trail at the end of the parking lot. Ignore the first trail on your left. In a moment, you are standing under the soaring pines. At the next fork, bear left and ascend the hill. There is no need to rush here; you are in a special place. Let your cares and worries lift away. At the next trail junction, turn left. Then turn right at the next trail. Further up the hill, turn right again. As you walk, look to the left to glimpse where the evergreen woods ends at the top of the hill. The contrast between the deeply shaded woods and the sunnier young woods is very pronounced.

Soon, your trail meets another and descends the hill. You parallel the boundary fence. At the bottom of the hill, the trail swings sharply right. Immediately take the first trail on the right. Continuing through the heart of the ancient grove, you turn left at the next trail, and go downhill. At the next junction, turn right and the trail returns to the parking lot.

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	Prosser Pines (Middle Island) Prosser Pines County Nature Preserve is one of the most impressive places on Long Island to experience an evergreen “forest cathedral.” Majestic white pines tower over you in hushed silence. Their sweet scent permeates the air. Many people experience a sense of reverence. A strong breeze creates an even more enchanted feeling, with the mysterious murmuring of the wind through millions of pine needles. Not surprisingly, this preserve is a popular place for outdoor weddings. Prosser Pines is one of the oldest surviving pine plantations in the eastern U.S. The pines were planted in 1812 on farmland. The seedlings came from a neighbor’s farm, descendants of pine seedlings brought from Quebec in 1759 by an officer in the French and Indian War! Although hurricanes have blown down many of the original pines, some of them still stand. Other mature pines that have naturally replaced the ones that were lost surround them. The only known South Shore woodland that is more ancient is Sunken Forest, the pygmy holly forest on Fire Island. By the time the Prosser family bought this land around 1900, the pines had grown to their impressive size. The Prossers took great pride in their pine cathedral and many people came from quite a distance to admire them. After World War II, area residents and groups struggled to get the grove to be protected forever. Finally, a quarter-century later, the county purchased the grove as a County Preserve. The neighboring Cathedral Pines County Park, across Route 21, was named after this grove. Even though this other park lacks towering trees, its manager also oversees the care of Prosser Pines. For information, contact (631) 852-5500. How to Get There: Take the Long Island Expressway (Route 495) to exit 67 North. Head north on Route 21 (called Yaphank Road, then Main Street in Yaphank, then Yaphank-Middle Island Road). About 2.9 miles from the Expressway, you pass the entrance to Cathedral Pines County Park on your left and then Longwood Road on your right. Continue a half-mile further on Route 21 and turn right into Prosser Pines Preserve parking lot. Enter the trail at the end of the parking lot. Ignore the first trail on your left. In a moment, you are standing under the soaring pines. At the next fork, bear left and ascend the hill. There is no need to rush here; you are in a special place. Let your cares and worries lift away. At the next trail junction, turn left. Then turn right at the next trail. Further up the hill, turn right again. As you walk, look to the left to glimpse where the evergreen woods ends at the top of the hill. The contrast between the deeply shaded woods and the sunnier young woods is very pronounced. Soon, your trail meets another and descends the hill. You parallel the boundary fence. At the bottom of the hill, the trail swings sharply right. Immediately take the first trail on the right. Continuing through the heart of the ancient grove, you turn left at the next trail, and go downhill. At the next junction, turn right and the trail returns to the parking lot.