​​How Long Island Trails Came into Existence

One of the best opportunities to volunteer in parklands is by working alongside a bunch of dedicated Long Island outdoor hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrian riders who create trails.​
Quality Parks would like to learn more about your trail experience. You don't need to be an expert to participate, but you do need attend a Long Island based event. Participate, observe, submit form, and respond to some follow up email. Upon completion, you'll be awarded 4 hours of community service.
Volunteer Gig:

Our Professional Members Actively In Need of Volunteers

You'll perfect your compass skills, and learn more about our local wilderness areas from experts who spend hours in the field. ​You will also learn how to equip yourself with the best tools, packs, boots, and gear. And learn why and how trails come into existence on Long Island.

Why Trails?

One of the pleasures of experiencing a park is in the quality of the trail system. Though there are many ways trails are old roads or deer paths,  carefully, designed and maintained  trails are more fun to traverse and explore.
A subcategory of trails, are boardwalks which provide additional access to natural areas.
An access trail Hither Hills (Walking Dunes) on (right). 
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest where  visible blazes (one red and one white) lead the hiker to follow the path.

What kinds of trails exist on Long Island?

Passive Use Recreational Trails

​Most trails are unpaved. Some trails are designated for one type of recreational use. Other trails are shared trails. Major trail uses include: hiking, mountain bicycling,  bicycling (paved), equestrian riding, hunting, birding, jogging, running, exploring, etc.  ​All trails need to be maintained to minimize negative impacts and to maximize pleasurable use.
Pictured, on right, is the  equestrian riding at Connetiquot River State Park.
​Administrative Roads

By far the most noticeable "trails" are the roads that give administrative vehicle access, such as, boundary roads, and  the roads used for emergency access or habitat management purposes.  

​Pictured, on right, is a freshly bulldozed administrative fire road at Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest.

Who designs and maintains trails?

On Long Island, there are three major trail communities who work closely with public land managers to design and maintain trails. The three major recreational groups that maintain trails include: hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrian riders. ​Other trail maintainers include the agency itself, nature centers, public lands trusts and other nonprofit organizations. ​

​Trails are customized to each use. Some trails allow for multiple use access.  If you are on a trail designed for another recreational use, stay alert and be careful.  Trail work typically involves hand tools for clipping, lopping, and litter pickup. Power tool use and blazing (marking trails) requires additional training. 
A poorly designed trail system is boring, difficult to walk on. Eroding trails that run straight up a hill without looping switch back also indicates a poorly designed trail.

​The photograph on the left and this student natural journal article demonstrate  how to design trails for mountain bicycling  use.  

What are illegal trail uses?

All terrain vehicles ( ATVs) are prohibited on  parks and protected lands. ATV riding has led to extreme soil erosion on miles and miles of Long Island trails.  Continued cooperation is key to successful management between recreational groups and public land managers; however, sometimes the land manager is unwilling to work with local groups, or  sometimes rogue users create unauthorized new trails. In both cases,  conflicts arise; compromise is the goal of balancing recreational enjoyment with nature protection.

Pictured, on right, is an illegal BMX trail at Pauquakconsuk WoodField.  A potential legal alternative has approved for Percy B. Raynor Memorial Park.
Another form of improper use it trash and litter. Please pickup or carry out any you find along the trails. For larger items, contact the public land manager directly.